#amberspire

[pumpkin-bread]

Oh, the gods certainly exist. Of that, there is no question.

But do they care? Of course not. At least, not in a way that matters to the individual.

We are more akin to fodder than child. War dogs, thrown into the fray to settle their disputes. Fields of wheat, ripe for the sickle. We nourish and strengthen them.

And in return, they simply... colour our eyes.

There were those among us who, over the years, became burdened with the certainty that their prayers would always go unanswered.

Many chose to ignore the knowledge, or even to fight it with bold and unabashed denial.

I was not among them. I could not be.

[pumpkin-bread]

Amberspire needed someone to test a magical weapon, but it would be inhumane at best to force someone into being experimented on. That being said, Amberspirians were very strongly encouraged to offer themselves up. This is what he was told. His handwriting is on a series of waivers that tell him that he was the one to volunteer, though he doesn't recognize the name he'd written. It was a spectacular success, obviously. His strength and instinct in combat is intact, as is his ability to speak, write, and everything else of that nature. Everything else, though. It's just gone. There were a few who seemed mournful of his change; the guardian who had introduced himself as his pupil, and the nice tundra woman at the mess hall, in particular. But he had to believe the letter he'd evidently left himself, which adamantly assured that there were many, many things that needed to be forgotten. Keeping the letter as his guide, he continued on, building his life anew. It was his only option, really.

[pumpkin-bread]

Oh yes and Jacquara took the chance to ask Nihil if he wished to transfer his guard duty to Ever-Autumn when Pepper made the official call for enhanced security.

Always bent to her will, Nihil accepted, and Jacquara eagerly left with him, excited to return to her cottage and pumpkin patch.

...However, this was particularly bad news for Althea, former wife of Lord Spice - and later his attempted murderer - who had fled to the forest and later found that the then-abandoned farm was her long-missing charge.

[pumpkin-bread]

Anyway lorewise Avonne got super sick. Her immune system tanked from stress and she caught... something. Her feathers, hair, and even scales fell out, and Pepper took over (while training Trina, as well,) while her eldest heir had a long and slow recovery.

Avonne, of course, did make a nearly full recovery, but the magic that aided her during her time bedridden permanently altered her appearance, “staining” her newly-grown scales and hair with the elements that flooded her bloodstream.

...Most consider it an improvement.

[pumpkin-bread]

The letter - and the other pieces of mail accompanying it - never made it into the clan’s walls.

Levianha had warned that something steeped in shade was coming; able to tell due to the frightening absence of any clear vision that had gradually worsened over the last few days.

A small army had been prepared in defense of the castle, only to be met by a rather terrified postman who dropped his parcels and ran after a brief exchange.

One of the castle servants was sent out to copy the letters’ contents, and was sent away to “quarantine” immediately after setting the contaminated pile alight.

---

Atop one of the watchtowers, far above the brushfire that the burning letters had started, stood Pepper. The transcription of the black-stained letter was held in her unwavering hands.

Queen Avonne stood just behind the fae, silently reading over her shoulder.

“They called you ‘mom’,” she said, breaking the long silence.

Pepper didn’t respond.

“Who do you think it is?” Avonne prompted further, crossing her arms in defense of the frigid wind - and a feeble attempt to calm herself. “One of my elder siblings?”

“No,” Pepper replied, her voice monotone. “The few who live would not have sent me this.”

“Oh... no...” Avonne breathed, covering her mouth. “One of the triplets?”

“It must be,” Pepper replied, neither her voice nor body language betraying any emotion.

"What should I - what’s the best course of action?” Avonne asked, shifting to be in Pepper’s line of sight.

“Send Ghost and the others searching for them,” Pepper replied, folding the letter neatly. “Do not pass word to Spice just yet. I will consult with Lady Levianha and see who she can pick up on at this point.”

“Don’t pass - but shouldn’t he know?” Avonne stammered. “What if one of those girls comes here?”

“They are not to be let in,” Pepper replied simply, pocketing the note. “Up surveillance, order the guards to turn any of the three princesses away until we hear from Levianha.”

“And if they refuse?”

“The zero-tolerance policy applies to everyone,” Pepper replied, turning and descending the tower. “If they refuse, they are to be culled.”

Avonne flinched, then nodded. After Pepper disappeared from view, she gripped the tower’s railings and took a deep, shuddering breath.

Far below, the fire roared.

[pumpkin-bread]

Ezra becomes the go-to mail carrier between Lux Contri and Amberspire because she visits so often.

Flores pops over more too, brings some of the better confectioneries that the Crystalline Castle produces, him and Ulli do brunch

Even Cici comes over to check on her son/their unicorn

Fritz comes to meet up with his daughter and her new family

Everyone enjoys the lift on the travel embargo

...

Queen Avonne gradually becomes interested in this Lux Contri place so many people seem to love

[pumpkin-bread]

What happened to Asdel's children? Also dang, you win the dragon dressup game 12/10 with Adara's outfit, such a good look

Well in regard to Vanstrom’s nest, Vanstrom died in my lore and then. All of his siblings just wound up exalted as well, so lorewise they all died.

Aside from Armond, who still needs a place to go, anyway.

I feel bad for Azzie, she’s a really friendly joke-y sort of woman but it’s not like she enjoyed being picked by Spice or anything*. She did love her kids tho. Idk. She’s been a little lost in my head recently.

*To be clear she did consent to having his children, she just doesn’t like the dude.

[pumpkin-bread]

@ Avonne, how are things going?

The imperial laces her fingers, evidently thinking carefully about how to speak.

“Though… some might find it overwhelming, I’ve put my focus on what the citizens of Amberspire have been most wanting.

Recently, efforts have gone to making it… a more accommodating place for younger members, and visitors as well.

In the future I wish to take The Crystalline Castle back to its roots as a clan that is open to alliances with others. We can only take so many steps at a time, but I’m confident in the direction we’re moving toward.”