❥ struck;

prince of stars with a kiss on the cheek, a hand around your waist, and fingers around your heart affiliation: mlmie-hm

[moraurelia]

Penny for your Thoughts || Aurelia & Skye

@starduxted

Ah… that didn’t seem good. Aurelia wouldn’t have minded if this wasn’t part of her job, but seeing as it was, she couldn’t just let a sketchy man walk in like that. Actually… he wasn’t really that sketchy. He seemed like he was well suited for this environment, but Aurelia knew better than that. She didn’t have any qualms against him in particular, but he could potentially be bad for business.

“Hey, thiefy.” The girl gave the man walking towards the bar a tap on the shoulder, her speech not necessarily any more casual than usual. Her extraordinarily keen gaze gave her otherwise calm demeanor away, though. It wasn’t difficult for her to recognize someone like him. They had bumped into each other once or twice a while back, hiding from the police in alleyways or hearing alarms and simultaneously reacting to them. She hadn’t seen him often enough to think he lived here though. Well, perhaps he didn’t. Maybe he was visiting. With his way of life, she wouldn’t be surprised. Still, it had been two years, perhaps he had changed his habits and foregone those sticky fingers. “Aren’t there better places to get your hands on some loose change?”

[starduxted-blog]

Skye always found himself coming back to this town. Was it an attachment? He didn’t like to think of it like that, knowing he was a man strictly against anything of the sort, but yet he found himself wandering to this town once again. With the frequent stops to this area, he ran into familiar faces. And certain faces he seemed to run into more than he wanted.

A woman with pink hair who seemed to have the same profession as he. What a pain in the ass. It wasn’t like their occupation was easy, and having competition around your corner didn’t help with that. He recognized her from several previous run ins, runaways, and even just a bump in the shoulder. And it wasn’t like Skye to simply forget a pretty and enigmatic girl like herself. 

“Hello to yourself, sweetheart. You look like you’re doing well.” Skye liked to keep tabs on fellow thieves, not one to really confront others during work and liked to avoid them. But, what business was stayed strictly business. Except for thieves, who were always on guard and ready to attack if the right prey were to come around.

He gave her a tense and forced smile, tapping his fingers a little bit irritably on the wooden counter in front of him. “My, feisty aren’t we? What makes you think I’ve come around to mooch away the luxuries? Can’t a man kick back and enjoy himself?” 

[starduxted-blog]

ill be rebooting this blog but it will be affiliated with another group!  please feel free to unfollow this blog ♥ 

[starduxted-blog]

>> ✉ ( @raven-reborn )

a letter is left upon the front counter of the blacksmiths, neatly folded into three, gently placed upon the wooden desk. there is no specific name, but instead to whom it may concern is written in neat cursive on the top. inside the letter, the writing continues;

Dearest Blacksmith,

I pray that business has been going well. To further support it, I will be visiting your store tomorrow at midnight to browse your selection.

- Phantom Skye

Blacksmiths were one of Skye’s favourite places to... intrude, due to the jewellery that was inside. Being the avid fan he was, he was ecstatic to learn that there was one in this town, and had written the letter almost immediately.

[starduxted-blog]

loose binds ; open !

[cheerynewsgirl]

Her arm hooked with his, the pause and kiss connecting to her hand, she blushed with embarrassment. How can someone do these things so straightforwardly?! Her eyes no longer looking right at him, she took her hand back in response. “I-I mean it’s not a problem, but maybe it would be best to take you to the inn first.” 

She was still flustered from his actions, but that didn’t stop her from brushing it off with a smile. “It’s strange to see someone come about here so late though. I mean, it’s not like there’s anything wrong about it but! It’s just rare.” 

The pace of her steps going faster than him, she walked in front of him leading the stranger towards the inn through the darkness. “Ah. Here we are. You can stay the night for now or should we walk about a bit more? I have the time to spare since I don’t think I’m doing anything later…”

[starduxted-blog]

Her reactions were oh so cute, Skye smiled back, enjoying how she embarrassedly pulled back from his advances. “Of course, sweetheart. Please lead the way, and I will follow.”

His gaze momentarily turned serious. He didn’t know much of this girl, and wasn’t quite too sure if his smooth lies would be believable. Well. They should. He’d just have to keep up the flirtatious act. Which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, in his mind. It was always fun to play around with a cute girl. 

“But I must say, it’s unusual for a lady to be walking around so late. I pray that you were on your way home? It’s dangerous for such a pretty girl like you to be wandering out so late.” It also made his job a lot more difficult, having people loitering around at the peek of night. Usually most villagers called in early, but there was always the certain stragglers....

Skye let himself be lead by the smaller girl, chuckling softly at how forward she was being. My oh my, how very forward. To even ask him to spend more time?This was going rather fast. “If you offer then I shall humbly accept. Shall we head somewhere else, then? Lead the way, my love.”

[letter-parade-blog]

Chills ran down Anette’s spine as she heard the mysterious man’s voice. She took a step back as he stepped forward to meet her. His gaze piercing hers and making her feel slightly more fragile than she already was. “Skye…? I don’t know any Skye… I’ve never delivered mail to you before. So how do y-you know my name..,” she nervously questioned the intruder.

“M-m-my heart?! What are you talking about?” Her face bloomed into a red heat while her forehead began to shyly dampen itself with a slight bit of nervous sweat. “F-fear you? Why would I e-ever fear you? I don’t even know you,” she stammered as she tried to pull her hand away. “And what do you mean by pick up a few things? This is my house after all. You can’t just barge in here and just take our things! I didn’t even invite you in! It’s rude to invite yourself into someone else’s home, mister…Skye…”

[starduxted-blog]

Hm. It seems like she wasn’t as naive as he thought. Skye paused, briefly analyzing her reactions, her tone of voice, their surroundings. Would she have the nerve and audacity to attack him? Perhaps not, considering her rattled state. She most definitely was scared. But... Skye was confident he could take advantage of this situation.

“A secret admirer, might be another word for it. You seem quite blind to the ones around you, my love.” How cute. She seemed so unused to romantic encounters, he felt.. compelled to tease her a bit more. “I would... appreciate if you paid a little bit more attention around you.” 

How perceptive of her. Skye gently smiled back, avoiding the questions that she was barraging. “I did send you a letter beforehand, my love. Did you not read it? And here I was thinking you were welcoming me into your abode.” He tilted his head, and gave the best glassed eyed stare he could, “Won’t you... show me around?”

[ivan-t-your-love]

“What in the world…?” Ivan raised an eyebrow upon finally reading the note he had managed to keep overlooking until that moment. Was this some sort of joke? As tired as he was from comforting a cranky, teething infant, it was better to take any necessary precautions possible to prevent the loss of his still much needed textbooks.

Doors and windows were locked tight. That should be enough, right? Ivan even considered lighting the fireplace, but he doubted the chimney would be a considered entrance. Entering his daughter’s nursery with his cat, he considered the situation to be similar to a lockdown drills done during lessons. Midnight was just a few minutes away, after all, so he kept an ear out for any suspicious noises.

[starduxted-blog]

Skye was hunched over in front of the door, picking at the lock with ease. Most villagers and townsfolk would always lock their doors, understandably so, whenever they received one of his letters. Personally, he thought it was rather rude, even when he had gone through the decency of sending them a personalized letter! Oh well. 

Easily unlocking the door, Skye took precaution of the sound that he would make. Assuming that the wooden door would creak if he opened it slowly, he jerked it open with a fast fluid motion, and welcomed himself inside. It seemed eerily quiet, much to his disadvantage. He had been hoping the infant would be making far more of a ruckus than this. He had to work with what he had.

Closing the door behind him with a gentle shut, his eyes darted to analyze the room, and the situation. 

Now.. Where was his bookshelf... His thoughts went on, as his feet also paced. He had to be quick. Ivan was usually the type of guy he avoided involving with, knowing that he was intelligent and could probably overthink Skye’s plans. He made his way to a shelf, and scanned its contents, hoping that he’d get lucky and found whatever he needed on first go. ....The Goddess probably didn’t like him at all to bless him though. 

[heartlikeabook]

Alarm bells finally began going off. The nervousness she’d felt holding Skye’s hand and following him to the back, which she had quite mistaken for something else, suddenly wedged itself into her chest like a small knife. Brushing her bangs to the side was fine, but she instinctively shrank back at a stranger’s hand at her cheek, moving slightly out of Skye’s reach. Everything Skye had been doing had seemed so charming, but suddenly, it felt wrong.

“Y-you’re… leaving…? B-but… I thought…” What about the thing he wanted to show her? Why had he brought her to the back, only to talk about leaving? Tori was suddenly reminded of a time when Nicholas, too lazy to properly return a book he had lost interest in, had simply left it in a back corner. She pushed that memory out of her head.

Skye had to have a reason to be acting peculiarly. They always had a reason in books for leaving so suddenly. Still, it wasn’t like he had just bumped into her. He’d left a note to meet at midnight- he wouldn’t just do that for no reason.

Her eyes trailed down the the books Skye had against his chest. He had said that he was picking out those books for her. At just a quick glance, she recognized the title of every one. Of course she did. How could she not?

“M-mr. Skye…?” She asked hesitantly, failing for first time tonight to be flattered when he said he’d think of her. “…W-why… Did you come here… tonight…?” It was a simple question, but one that held a lot of other questions within it. Why at midnight, when everyone should be sleeping? Why for such a short time?

[starduxted-blog]

As Tori moved away from his touch, Skye had to suppress a cynic smile. Of course, she was intelligent. She was bound to figure out that something was terribly wrong. His hand retreated, knowing that if he approached her once more she might react negatively. Despite being a notorious thief who liked to play around with his victims, he had that much decency. At least.

His eyes followed hers, seeing them quickly reanalyze the situation, the pieces falling together. A pity, really, that she didn’t fall for his tricks just for a little longer. But oh well, his job was more or less done. It was just his escape that needed to be executed. After getting over this obstacle of a girl who looked betrayed. 

Skye shifted the books in his arm,  securing them in his grip before replying, “I wonder... It seems like if I were to tell you that I wanted to have a book meeting with you, you wouldn’t believe me.” He inched a little bit closer, in a more intimidating approach, taking advantage of his height. Skye offered her a gentle smile, which looked a little bit more... contemptuous than before... “It seems like you already know, my love.” and gave a small laugh.

“I am Phantom Skye, a thief. It seems like I’ve failed to steal your heart. But I will be taking these books.” Maybe it was to mock her, but he lifted the novel she gave him and waved it gently. “I’ll read this in thought of you.” Gradually, Skye backed away from the librarian, and once reached a safe distance, quickly made a break for it. His work was done.

[cfmusings-blog]

                                 I act                                            a r r o g a n t                to hide                           how         l o s t                                                    I feel

[starduxted-blog]

redhanded ; hart&skye

[hartsnewbeginning-deactivated20]

“Oh don’t be a stranger. There are thieves and what not out there. Couldn’t having you getting hurt. Come on.” He put his arm around the man and began leading him towards his house.

“After all, the town is small, but it is a wonderful community, like you said. Plus, you can say thanks to them all tomorrow. I can get you to see them all again if you’d like to express gratitude. They’d probably give you a going away gift.” Hart teased nudging the guy in side.

[starduxted-blog]

Skye had to stifle a snort in reply. Oh Goddess how this boy was so dead on but yet so far off from his own point. Ugh, now this Hart boy was even touching him. So much about personal space, huh? He let him, though, not wanting to give off the wrong impression, and his true thoughts. Skye simply offered a smile and a polite wave of his hand, in dismissal. 

“My, I appreciate your fondness, Hart. But I must decline your humble offer. I am more than capable of taking care of myself.” He replied, trying to shake off the arm from his shoulders casually, to no avail. How annoying.

At his next words, Skye gave him a stare. His inner voice was bickering in reply, Ha, like they have anything to give me, since I already have everything. But of course, replied with something else. 

“How sweet of them. I’m sure they would’ve, knowing how sweet everyone here is. But I must stress that I am in quite the rush to get going.” He briefly let out a sigh in near frustration, and shook off Hart’s arm with a little more force. “Thank you for hospitality.” 

[thingsforrp]

                                  ɪ'ᴍ ɴᴏᴛ ᴡᴏʀᴛʜ sᴀᴠɪɴɢ

[starduxted-blog]

redhanded ; hart&skye

[hartsnewbeginning-deactivated20]

“Hmmm?” Hart mused. He heard a voice a small distance off. A new man was standing in the middle of the road. He looked…. Kind…. Hart supposed. But he didn’t look quite right. It was odd. Then again it might just be the darkness.

“Hey there stranger. Didn’t see you there.” Hart replied jogging up to him. He smiled and offered his hand. “My name is Hart. I’m the local farmer and builder. Almost every building here was built by me and a few other villagers.”

He looked the man over again now that he was closer. He still wasn’t comfortable with him, but he did look nice in a way.

“Anyways, enough about me. What’s your name and what brings you here so late at night?” Hart asked.

[starduxted-blog]

The naivete of some of these rural villagers never failed to astound Skye. He failed to sense any hostility from this... boy... but that didn’t matter. It made his life a lot easier if the other party was ignorant. A pity, though. These rural villagers were too trusting. 

Skye blinked, looking at the hand that was offered to him, and gladly took it in his own, giving it a firm shake. Oh boy. Was this kid really in charge of rebuilding this town? Skye smiled in return, though, not letting his thoughts illustrate dismay on his face. “A pleasure, Hart. What you do for this village is truly admirable.”

“Simply remember me as Skye. I had stayed in Echo Village today and thought it was... about time I got home.” He stressed. He didn’t really want to deal with this... villager that was currently in his way of escape. But he probably should leave a good impression on this... Hart, or whatever. “But I did enjoy my stay here. Give my thanks to the wonderful villagers.”

[cfmusings-blog]

The feeling of being                                    unwanted

is one i am all too

                   { familiar with }

[heartlikeabook]

Tori let Skye take the book from her. ‘Milady’. Now, that sure felt new and exciting. It was like something you used to address a princess. It was.. romantic, right? Yes, of course it was. Like all of Skye’s words, it was sickeningly sweet to her ears. She really thought she believed them.

Tori blushed, bringing both of her hands to her cheeks as if to hide it. Little known to those new to romance, there was a difference between developing feelings for someone, and thinking that you should be developing feelings. Although one might would think it would be obvious, it is often very easy for those without experience to mistake one for the other. And so when she felt her heart beat nervously, and saw what she perceived to be genuine words, she quickly got wrapped up in the moment.

Buried under all the emotion, a part of her wanted to ask why Skye was leaving so soon after finally meeting her. It wanted to point out that she of all people already knew the library, as well as all of the books inside of it, and so there should have been nothing special to show her. It wanted figure out what his tone of voice reminded her of, for it sounded familiar.

But with her head spinning from the confession made to her, in one of her her most favorite spots, during such a romantic time as midnight, all that came out of her mouth was, a soft, dazed,

“O-okay… I’ll follow you…”

[starduxted-blog]

This was a consequence that he was fully aware he had to suffer through. Well, perhaps suffer was a rather cruel way of putting it. But, guilt continued to slowly bubble within his chest. It was the fact that she was glowing, that she was expecting, that she was falling. Surely after this entire experience she would learn, to learn that everything was not what they seemed. Especially when it came to romance and the form of a pretty boy prince. 

But he had to leave. Just like a fairy tale, he had to disappear without a trace. But the librarian was making it difficult. A part of him didn’t want to leave, and wanted to further take advantage of this helpless girl. But he had more tact and sense than that. He wasn’t that much of a sleaze.

Skye smiled gently as she agreed, and reached over to take her smaller hand in his own. His hands were cool against her own, tugged her closer, then started to walk. It was a hurried pace through and around the shelves towards a back corner. He places her back towards the wall, and looms over her. It wasn’t threateningly, but he was making a statement. 

“Tori, my dear, I fear that our time together is quickly coming closed. I must leave this place, and unfortunately you.” With his free hand, he hesitantly reached out to brush back another set of bangs behind hear ear, to then cup her cheek within his hand. “I will enjoy this novel, and read it with the thought of you."

[starduxted-blog]

redhanded ; hart&skye

@hartsnewbeginning

Echo Village was certainly always a gold mine, especially for a thief. It was located on the outskirts of a very rural area, and whilst still under development, that didn’t mean there weren’t any riches beneath it’s greenery. Skye has come by once or twice, despite being wary about the traffic in and out of the city, he still found the visit and the occasional pick up of goods rather profitable.

Knowing that if he was caught within the village, he would be immediately recognized as a stranger, and would be classified as a tourist. But, maybe not when they find the items stored in the depths of his pockets. He had left a letter accordingly, but when the clock hit midnight the town was quiet as ever. Not one to argue (it was always nice to have a quiet night where no one was yelling at him to piss off), Skye took advantage of this opportunity and helped himself to many of the antiques villagers had stored in their back closets.

Finishing up his work for the night, Skye shifted his bag upon his shoulder and was ready to skedaddle before someone could see him-- but as soon as he mentioned it, he heard it, footsteps upon a stony path, someone had seen him, and probably had a lot of questions for a strange man, foreign to the village, so late at night with no real aim.

Skye turned around to face the stranger, a faint (and slightly strained) smile upon his features; “Good evening, a lovely spectacle of stars that the sky has painted us tonight, don’t you think?”

[harvestmoongoon]

[starduxted-blog]

loose binds ; open !

[cheerynewsgirl]

Being her rather oblivious self, she barely even noticed the change in the male. It was dark so it was hard to tell of anything, his hair and clothing did have a look of a shine to it. The bright white and grays bright against the darkness with the light of the moonlight putting a glow in his hair. 

A giggle coming from his response, she just gave him her usual cheery grin. Hand waving in front of her, a little embarrassed. “You don’t need to be so formal.” She wasn’t used to having anybody treat her in that way and to say the least she was a little flustered over it. 

“I don’t have a map, but I know this town like the back of my hand!” Herself going closer to the stranger, she gripped onto his arm. “Here I can take you around right now! Although it’s late…But that’s no problem, is it?” Despite having a long day in the town she was tired but if there was a lost person, of course she would want to help.

[starduxted-blog]

Skye couldn’t help but chuckle in return. She was such an exuberant girl with an infectious laugh, and he was already enjoying her company. Unfortunately he had a busy schedule, and her having butted in was actually ruining parts of his timing. Well.... he could always spare a beautiful lass some time. 

“Oh? I wouldn’t dare! Such a beauty like you, my dear, needs to be treated with utmost politeness and care. Please think nothing of it aside from flattery ♥” Said girl was very pretty, and a very smiley one as well. Skye loved it when girls were optimistic and bright; but that being said, Skye liked all kinds of girls. 

But the sudden tug at his arm had startled him at first. He hadn’t been expecting it, and momentarily loss his balance. Quickly catching his footing, he looked back up to her and blinked. “Playing a bit risqué, my dear. For you to be inviting a beautiful man like me to accompany you at the time of night like this. It certainly is no problem, I would love that.” Skye reached out with his other hand to catch hers, and lifted her hand towards his lips, brushing them against her knuckles gently. “Shall we?” he finished, with a wink.

[heartlikeabook]

Tori couldn’t help but blush a little as Skye tucked the hair behind her ear. Tori had never been spoken to like that before. Well, perhaps by Lukas, the poet at the inn, but she had learned that he really never meant it, and often the compliments turned crude, if he was allowed to go on. But this man didn’t sound like he was teasing her. 

“Um… o-okay…” Tori said. Something wasn’t fitting together quite right. What was it? …Ah, of course! She should be picking out books for him the way she was for her, getting to know him more, not just standing to the side. And yet, hadn’t he asked her to stay in place? But that action felt wrong, and so Tori ultimately decided against it after a moment of indecision.

“W-wait, Mr. Skye…” Tori went to a shelf, selecting a book that was very dear to her before walking over to the thief. “H-here… you should.. borrow this one…” She held out the book, titled ‘A confession of love’. “T-this is.. um… This book is.. one of my favorites… I read it.. all the time… P-perhaps… you’d like it too…”

The books was very special to Tori. She had always dreamed of being proposed to in the manner that the book described. She felt almost a bit embarrassed showing it off, afraid he would find it corny. But Skye understood her, right? He would probably find it romantic, too.

“Mr. Skye…” she said. “I um… I wanted to.. get to know you a bit more…” she said. “How did you.. When did… um… ….Y-you said… you liked me…?” That had been the pretense Tori had been going on, both from the letter and the words Skye had spoken, but she would have liked to hear it in words, otherwise it hardly felt real.

[starduxted-blog]

Suddenly preoccupied with fishing out several novels by their spines, of the shelves and onto his free arm, cradling them against his chest. Aquamarine hues darted from side to side, scanning the titles of novels rapidly, and thoughts being interrupted by the soft gentle voice of the librarian. Skye redirected his attention towards her with a gentle smile; he was still in the presence of a lady! How rude of him.

He was a bit taken back at the suggestion; taking the book from her hand and turned to it’s back side, quickly scanning the summary paragraph. Skye has certainly heard of this novel, it’s title ringing a bell in the back corners of his mind, and he honestly wouldn’t mind taking up the recommendation. The thief considered, turning the book back to it’s front cover, and looked back to the girl in front of him;

“If milady thinks, and wishes, then I will comply. I’m sure it will be a good read.” Skye gave a warm smile, and for good measure, held the book to his chest and gave it a good pat. “Once I visit again, I’ll be sure to tell you how I thought about it.” He was a reader of all genres; and didn’t mind picking up a romance novel once and a while. He personally was not a big fan of the entire genre itself, nor of the actual emotion and feeling in reality as well. But sometimes, fiction really did have its magic ways to work into someone’s heart. 

Skye had turned back towards the shelves when she spoke up again. He didn’t immediately turn back to face her, and pondered briefly before responding. It... wasn’t a lie that he liked her, he found her quite interesting, and intelligence was always a different form a beauty in itself. But most of the sugarcoated words he had fed her through his letter had been filler, with not much actual emotion behind them. There was a small twinge of guilt within him, but he might as well continue to lie. It’s not like she would really grow to like him anyways. 

“...Do you doubt my words? Of course I do, Miss Tori.” He leaned in gently, eyes trying to meet hers. “I like you very much, and just being here with you is enough to make me happy. Thank you for meeting with me here tonight.” His time was quickly running out, and he still had some older archives he had to collect from the back of the library. “...I have something to show you, could you follow me?”