Ice in my veins

[sparkledcrowns-deactivated20251]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟWHERE ELSE COULD he go that wouldn't feel like he was being smothered or suffocated with all of the frustration building up inside of him? not being able to winnow, or fly correctly had him angry and irritated. nothing was right. no feeling was right, no emotion, no flush of words throughout his head. he hated it. wandering through the grounds, he tried to find somewhere to ease his stress. when he found himself at the sparing ring, a sinister smile grew across his face. this was exactly what he needed. just reckless abandonment of his emotions to spar his heart out. he hadn't expected someone else, and even just for a moment, he watched the other, enjoying how much he seemed to need it too. "is the training helping? easing your mind, i mean?" kieran asked, hoping his idea was a good one. "do you mind if i join you?"

[snowfallssolidier]

Mateo had needed to get away from everyone. He needed to get his mind right and he needed to do it away from the others. He was focused and in his own head so he didn't hear the other approach. It was a mistake for both of them that he shouldn't have made. When the other spoke, he instinctively pulled the dagger from his waist and threw it the other's way, intentionally missing and hitting the target to his left. It was a scare tactic, not an intent to hurt him. "It seems as if you already are." He extended his hand beckoning the other into the ring with him. He wouldn't hurt him, not on purpose, and maybe a partner might help, he thought.

[stxrslisten]

Onora hadn't felt as, well, human in centuries. with the magic muffled, or perhaps gone, she was aware of every inch of her body her mind felt clearer and somehow it was a sensation she had not missed but she was trying to enjoy it for the sake of nostalgia. the fighting leathers felt heavier than they had the last time she had wore them, but her father the retired general had thought her to train when her mind could not be quiet. she wondered how worried him and her mother were with no word from the capital. "seems we had the same idea," she echoes about the room as she walks in noticing the other. "although you seem to have had the idea long before i."

[snowfallssolidier]

Mateo heard her as she entered the area around the arena, but didn't stop his movements to greet her. He hadn't really wanted to see anyone, he had come out here with the hopes of getting his mind right before he had to see or talk to anyone for a while. The last thing he wanted was to see anyone, but he wouldn't be rude to her. He glanced her way at her first comment, but not missing a stride in his form. He lunged the sword in his hands forward in the air, feeling his muscles protest, but his mind pushing forward. He let out a grunt of satisfaction completing his movements before officially acknowledging the other. "There is plenty of room if you would like to share the space." He told her without looking at her heading towards his water skin needing the hydration.

[shvdwscng]

her  magic  wasn't  entirely  gone,  but  it  had  weakened  significantly  to  that  of  a  fae,  she  supposed  in  a  way  it  was  humbling.  now  it  was  not  something  she  needed  to  utilize  often  nor  frequently,  but  she  did  miss  the  toying  her  frost,  adding  the  bits  of  her  home  into  the  chambers  she  was  residing  in  and  turning  the  flowers  into  bits  of  frost  as  a  little  reminder  of  her  court.  she  could,  only  that  it  not  hold  it's  shape  for  very  long  before  it  melted  into  water.  the  spymaster  was  certain  almost  every  court  here  was  on  edge,  now  the  all  waited,  as  if  expecting  the  worst  at  every  turn.  having  no  other  outlet  for  her  nerves,  she  had  turned  to  training  lately  to  shed  some  of  them.  being  in  the  winter  army,  this  was  something  that  remained  with  her  and  though  her  position  did  not  require  combat,  she'd  never  allow  her  skills  to  falter.  with  the  way  things  were  going  here,  she  would  need  to  remain  at  her  peak.  she  found  the  third  in  command  of  their  court  in  the  arena,  from  the  looks  of  him  he'd  been  at  it  for  awhile.  "mind  a  sparring  partner,  commander?  although  perhaps  a  moment  of  break  might  also  be  in  order  for  you.."  after  years  of  working  alongside  him,  she  knew  why  he'd  taken  to  this  place.

[snowfallssolidier]

His mind was so focused on what was at hand he had not heard her enter the sparring ring. He turned around for a strike when he saw her, he didn't react for a moment finishing the movement he had started before acknowledging her. His breathing was heavy from the intensity of the training he had been putting himself through. He drew in a deep breath attempting to calm himself before speaking. "A partner would be welcomed." He told her, ignoring the call for a break. He found the water skin he had set to the side taking a drink out of it. "Anything in particular you want to work on?" He asked her as he made his way back to the center of the ring, wiping the sweat off his brow. "I assume your morning has been going like the rest of ours?" He asked his voice that scary calm that usually proceeded violence.

[snowfallssolidier]

@ofcourtfablesarchive Open

Mateo had found himself frustrated in a way that he could not remember ever feeling. Not only were they trapped in this gods forsaken city, but now they were without magic. He of course had other abilities to rely on, but he felt incomplete, like part of his was missing. And this was what had him out in a sparing ring working with his sword. He had been there for more than an hour. His shirt was soaked through with sweat and his body was beginning to protest, but he wouldn't stop. It was currently the only thing keeping him from losing his mind at the moment. The feeling of his muscles burning made him feel alive and in control of something in a place that was so out of control.

[stxrfclls]

kai  is  hardly  surprised  to  hear  that  this  pales  in  comparison.  “  were  this  a  winter  celebration,  i’m  certain  we’d  all  be  saying  the  same  thing.  ”  they  reply.  their  head  tilts  a  bit,  still  observing  the  masses.  “  she  wouldn’t  slip  away  yet,  i  just  like  to  know  who  decides  to  bother  her.  ”  they  say  with  a  shrug.  kaida  was  always  ready  to  yank  her  cousin  away  from  a  boring  conversation  or  a  handsy  suitor.  “  you  think  this  will  be  ending  soon  ?  i  very  much  doubt  it.  and  no  one  is  playing  nice.  they’re  sharpening  their  knives  in  their  chambers  and  awaiting  the  first  sign  of  a  real  crack.  ”

[snowfallssolidier]

Mateo nodded. "I cannot imagine the city trying to pull off an adequate winter solstice celebration." He shuddered slightly at the thought. "She might have. I certainly wouldn't blame her if she did." Mateo sighed looking into his empty glass. "I don't. I wish it would. But I am afraid nothing has come of us being trapped here, so whoever has arranged it can't be done yet." He shook his head. "I only wish we had a clue as to who it is or what the purpose is. Then we could feel useful." He told her looking for another tray of drinks.

[stxrfclls]

𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 : @snowfallssolidier / mateo

rhys  had  taken  to  walking  through  the  corridors  to  calm  his  mind,  to  refrain  from  being  too  idle  to  the  point  he  went  mad.  it  was  a  dramatic  assumption,  but  he  certainly  knew  himself.  rhys  was  no  good  to  anyone  if  he  were  going  stir  crazy.  in  his  pacing,  he  begins  to  venture  into  the  gardens,  a  scarce  place  now  that  the  gala  had  ended  and  whatever  it  was  had  flown  overhead.  what  he  doesn't  expect  to  find  is  mateo,  which  draws  a  brow  from  the  emissary.  "  evening.  "  greets  he.

[snowfallssolidier]

Mateo had made his walk through the palace and was heading back towards his room when he took a shortcut through the gardens. He had been bored and found few other ways to really relieve that, except one and he wasn't going to visit that road again today, maybe tomorrow. He wasn't surprised though when he saw Rhys. "Evening Rhys." He returned in greeting. "What has you out roaming about the gardens at this time of night?" Not that it was an issue of any kind for Rhys to be where he wanted to be.

[stvrlcss]

SHE KNEW IT WAS A FACADE TO act like she wasn't going to let him in, but teasing mateo in private was too fun a pastime to give up. ❝ and what if you particular brand of fun has become dull? ❞ she asked as she leaned a little closer to him as well. she smiled as he laughed. ❝ i shall have to pass on the swords for now, but i'd welcome the drinks. ❞ she opened the door for him and closed it behind him after he'd entered. normally she would've searched the hall for prying eyes before letting him in but she was too distracted. perhaps she did need to relieve a little stress. ❝ was your own company not satisfaction enough tonight, sir pellemeur? i fear it is usually myself seeking you out. ❞ she was fairly certain she was more involved in their affair than he, but she couldn't bring herself to say that.

[snowfallssolidier]

Mateo couldn't help himself and feigned hurt. "You wound me." He thought for a moment before responding. "I guess I will just have to prove to you that I am more interesting and fun than the books on magic I am sure you are reading." He had no idea what she was reading, but he imagined that she like most scribes and scholars trapped in their predicament were reading every text they could get their hands on. He stepped in quickly as she opened the door, making his way across her room to a table where he placed the items in his hands. "Sir Pellemeur? Aren't we formal tonight." He shook his head. "I am afraid that my desired activities are more satisfactory when completed with another." He poured them each a glass before handing it to her.

[stvrlcss]

DIANA HAD NEVER BEEN ONE to rely on her powers. learning and networking had always favoured her more. but it was hard to watch the people around her struggle. and, despite her best efforts, the texts weren't working. the knock came to her door and it was nothing. she could continue to cycle between wallowing and reading and whoever it was would leave. she flipped a paged but she wasn't reading anymore she was listening. and despite herself, at the sound of mateo's voice she was moving to the door against her better judgement. it was always against her better judgement. ❝ and what fun might that be? ❞ she asked coyly as she leaned against the door, not yet letting him enter. ❝ and reading is quite fun, i'll have you know. not everything is swords and fists. ❞

[snowfallssolidier]

Mateo couldn't stop the smirk that fell upon his lips at her words. The two of them had found a certain rhythm when needed to pique each other's interest, even if they were just being a distraction to one another. "I know your love of a book is quite fun to you, but I assure you what I am proposing is much better." He said leaning his head closer to the door. "You have never complained before about this particular brand of fun." He paused for a moment. "And I bring drinks." He said as he clinked the glasses together for her to hear. He stepped back slightly so she would hopefully open the door. "Besides, if you like swords can be part of the game." He added a small laugh falling from his lips.

[snowfallssolidier]

@stvrlcss Diana

Mateo decided it was time to find some other company around. He needed a break from the other generals and the courts to clear his mind. The constant search for the answer on how to get out of the current predicament they were in was taxing on him. He knew exactly what or who he needed. Mateo was not one to return to the same bed more than once usually, but Diana was different. It wasn't anything emotional, at least not that Mateo could identify, but the two of them had an understanding over the years. One that he needed to call in at the moment. He grabbed a bottle and two glasses from the study before heading to the room he knew she was occupying. He knocked on the ornate wooden door. "Diana, I know you are in there. I can hear you reading in there. I come with fun." He said with a knowing smirk on his face.

[snowfallssolidier]

@stxrslisten Nyx

There still seemed to be a rumble through the palace everywhere Mateo went. He was on a mission, not like that of most of the others that were trapped here. Right now he was searching for one person. Not someone he had met before, but someone he had heard of. The problem with finding this particular female was he didn't know anything about her other than a name. And really, what he had heard didn't give him anything to believe that she would know anything. But she was from the city that held them captive and once from the night court, so she might have known more than most about what was going on than the rest of them.

He had paid off one of the staff to find her location and disclose it to him. It was quicker than he expected when the note was slipped under his door. A quick look at the piece of parchment before he was on his way. He wasn't sure how he was going to introduce himself, but he would make sure he found a way to do so. He made his way to the garden where the note said she would be. He made his way through the rows of flowers and bushes before spotting who he believed to be her across the way. He made his way to approach while looking at the flowers. "You know, I don't think we can grow anything quite this color back home." He said out loud, not to anyone in particular, but hopeful she would respond.

[snowfallssolidier]

@jadedblud Demetria

Mateo had found himself wandering through the palace. He was growing bored and restless, which were two things he was not used to. He had far too much time on his hands and wasn't quite sure what to do with himself. The city had become small and he found nothing in it worth his time. So he had taken himself back to the palace and was trying to find something worth doing. He found himself down a familiar hallway leading to a sitting room.

Mateo made his way in finding it empty. A long sigh escaped his lips as he grabbed a random book from the table before depositing himself in chair near the roaring fireplace. He opened the book and began to look through the pages, not really reading it, but attempting to distract his mind for a few minutes.

[stxrfclls]

very  little  did  kai  agree  with  her  cousin's  inner  circle  members,  finding  most  of  them  not  worth  the  conversation.  the  difference  in  how  she  and  mateo  chose  to  live  their  lives  despite  the  similarities  was  interesting  enough  for  them  to  not  hate  speaking  to  the  other.  "  i'm  certain  they  shall  find  something  to  complain  about.  "  knowing  those  of  spring,  it  wouldn't  surprise  them  in  the  slightest.  "  demetria.  i  find  comfort  in  knowing  where  she  is.  "  they  say  with  a  shrug  as  if  it's  completely  normal  behavior.  to  kaida,  it  was.  "  you're  rather  optimistic  for  that  thought.  i  think  we'll  see  far  more  before  it  shatters.  "  though  she  did  agree  to  the  latter  statement,  people  would  stop  getting  along  eventually.

[snowfallssolidier]

Mateo nodded. "I once attended a spring Equinox celebration, quite a few years ago, this seems lacking." He said following her look around the room. "Ah, I have not seen her yet. But I imagine she is around somewhere." He managed a slight smirk at her words. " I would not say optimistic, I would say realistic, unless the goal of our captors is bloodshed. Although there have been a few from the city that I wouldn't mind adding to my list." He added quietly.

[experienceandobservation]

Jonathan Bailey | Orlebar Brown Summer 24’ | April 2024 | 📷 Jason Hetherington

[shvdwscng]

"thank  you."  an  easy  smile  on  her  features,  though  mateo's  tone  would  leave  others  questioning  it's  sincerity,  lailah  knew  the  man  meant  his  words.  she  had  learned  quickly  after  working  along  side  him  how  his  mind  ticked,  the  two  being  raised  by  emotionally  distant  and  cold  mothers.  for  a  time  lailah  was  in  the  same  manner,  keeping  to  herself  not  wishing  to  form  an  attachment  to  anyone.  she  had  no  such  proper  role  models  growing  up,  and  a  father  who  had  no  idea  lailah  even  existed  because  her  mother  had  kept  her  a  secret.  as  she'd  come  to  expect  from  the  third  in  command,  his  gaze  was  high  on  alert  scanning  every  inch  of  their  surroundings.  as  a  spymaster,  her  senses  remained  on  their  surroundings  as  well,  though  she  was  beginning  to  grow  something  annoyed  there  was  nothing  of  use  her  gaze  came  across.  "that  is  what  I  had  thought  during  the  coronation  and  then  we  were  trapped  here."  the  winter  spymaster  was  now  expecting  about  the  worst,  even  if  she  had  hoped  this  party  would  not  end  in  another  ordeal.  it  had  been  a  quiet  a  quiet  week  since  they  learned  they  were  all  trapped  in  gaea.  but  lailah  feared  this  was  also  the  calm  before  another  storm  perhaps.  "moving  along  very  slowly,  but  I  did  happen  to  engage  in  a  few  dances,  and  i  recommend  you  do  the  same.  surely  you  don't  want  to  spend  the  entire  evening  simply  watching  others?  try  to  have  fun,  mateo."  her  gaze  had  been  skimming  through  the  crowd,  unsure  if  she  was  looking  for  someone  in  particular  or  her  last  dance  partner  with  another  spymaster.

[snowfallssolidier]

Mateo sipped on the drink in his hand, sure to take it slowly. "Yes well that did end quickly, this time though, it appears that those in control want something more before we can escape." He stated as he tightened his jaw thinking of what those possibilities could be. While others were working to undo the spell, he was trying to figure out who trapped them there and why. If the culprit were expecting some sort of fight between the courts, the last few weeks had proved that an inconvenience would not provoke them. He couldn't fathom what possibly could be gained by keeping them all there. It wasn't as if their courts were unguarded or weak, just because they were not there. "Well, maybe you could do me the honor of a dance. It would certainly change the vantage point of the room and allow us to see who was partaking with who." He suggested. He wasn't sure he could have fun or even knew how to. He ignored her suggestion of this and focused on the activity of solving a problem. It wasn't as if he didn't enjoy Lailah's company, she was adequate enough, beautiful most definitely, someone whose company he could tolerate more than most. "Shall we?" He asked, offering his hand to her.

[stxrfclls]

kai  chuckles  a  bit  at  the  thoughts  offered  on  the  masks,  not  able  to  agree  more.  it  was  foolish,  perhaps  a  little  game  meant  to  distract  people  from  their  circumstances  but  a  small  one  at  that.  “  a  pathetic  one  at  that.  ”  they  offer  with  a  gentle  shrug.  a  snort  slips  from  kai,  and  they  move  their  gaze  to  level  with  the  second  of  winter  for  a  moment  before  returning  towards  the  crowds,  and  then  finding  her  cousin.  “  no.  but  it’s  not  too  terrible  either.  ”  they  finally  admit  with  a  shrug.  it  wasn’t  enjoyable,  but  at  least  they  found  themselves  not  miserable  entirely.

[snowfallssolidier]

Mateo nodded in agreement with them. "I cannot imagine this is satisfying the spring court in anyway." He shook his head. He watched their gaze look through the room. "Looking for anyone in particular?" He inquired to them. He had seen most of the court members around. "I should think this charade of bubble holding us in this city will lift soon and we can all get back to our regular lives. I imagine the cordial nature we have found with the others will not last much longer."

[stxrfclls]

𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 : @snowfallssolidier

kai  didn’t  spend  much  of  their  time  trying  to  befriend  the  members  of  their  cousins’s  inner  circle.  they  didn’t  see  the  point,  preferring  to  do  their  own  thing  and  spend  time  with  demetria  when  granted.  that  did  not  mean  they  were  unaware  of  who  served  their  cousin,  and  thus  it  was  rather  easy  to  find  her  third  in  command  when  scanning  the  crowds.  kai  didn’t  make  a  move  to  approach  the  other,  but  it  seemed  through  the  shuffle  of  the  crowd  they  were  soon  near.  “  commander.  ”  greets  she.  “  unless  you  wish  to  possess  true  anonymity  tonight.  ”

[snowfallssolidier]

Mateo had found himself bored. The evening had been going without any problems, which given the recent events, he should have been happy to have the break in the drama. He found himself moving with the people along the side, coming up next to Kai. "No, the mask does little to hide who any of us truly are. It is simply a small distraction." He said inclining his head to them. "Are you enjoying yourself this evening?" He asked of them. Mateo had not seen Kai through the night, so he could not speak to what their activities were. If he had thought about it he had not seen them since the coronation, so their activities as of late were completely unknown to him.

[shvdwscng]

"is  it  the  blue  that  gives  me  away?"  she  inquired  with  a  raised  brow  as  she  turned  to  face  the  general.  even  with  the  masks,  she  was  certain  her  familiars  would  recognize  her.  while  lailah  understood  the  purpose  of  the  masks,  an  attempt  at  illusions,  or  a  game  perhaps,  that  was  intended  to  be  in  good  fun.  it  was  difficult  to  keep  the  air  of  mystery  about  when  high  faes  could  easily  spot  another,  if  not  the  other  faes.  "that's  a  shame,  the  next  time  i  will  reach  for  a  more  unexpected  color."  the  spymaster  had  split  her  time  between  observing  her  surroundings  and  mingling,  but  even  when  she's  mingling  her  awareness  remained  steadfast  as  ever.  "tell  me,  general,  are  you  enjoying  yourself?"  she  doubted  it,  this  was  not  his  idea  of  a  good  time  but  still  hoped  he  was,  regardless.  knowing  mateo,  he  was  perhaps  doing  what  she  had  been,  keeping  an  eye  on  everyone.  "you  look  splendid,  unrecognizable  if  I  did  not  know  you."

[snowfallssolidier]

Mateo stood his hands behind his back, fingers intertwined. "The blue suits you." He said the compliment was sincere even if his voice lacked the normal emotion others expressed when stating such a thing. He kept his eyes forward the constant scanning of everything around them to ensure the safety of those who were in his charge from the winter court, which was in his mind all of the winter court contingent. "The party is acceptable. I have yet to see anything concerning." And that to the general was as close to having a good time as he would have in this type of environment. The number of variables outside his control here had him on even higher alert than normal. He inclined his head slightly thanking her for the compliment. "I highly doubt unrecognizable is true." He knew this was true as he had not bothered to wear something different than his usual garb. He opted only to add a mask. "And how are you finding this evening? Anything worth note?" He asked the spymaster.