#ran.01

[byronsolkarith]

who: byron & broheim @indu1ge where: tethalune feast hall notes: brotherly bonding or whatever passes for it

There were few that Byron took to with any meter of fondness of content, in all general aspects, those who lived beyond House Solkarith’s borders were treated with a relatively thin measure of respect. Braxigar and their ruling House had Byron’s fealty, his fellow warriors who’d grown and trained irreverently within the maddening dark as well, but for the Hollows that stretched beyond Braxigar’s borders – Byron hardly bothered with discretion. His fate was determined before he’d drawn his first breath; the velkynar would be hated, then he would be a spouse and an heir of his own Keep, all the while promising to secure the future of another. 

Across the feast halls a celebration of excess and grandeur dominated House Tethalune, the joy and revelry of the celestial night moving in full force. Soon, the carriages would arrive and each would be made to spill a secret kept closest to their breast. Byron had little fear of the magic itself, but its worth seemed either beneath – or beyond – his purview. Eyes too low to hold much interest in fantasy. Trained to not just fight, but also to win, if there was power remaining in these halls then Byron would gladly swallow the proverbial ichor if it meant a secured victory in the long nights ahead. 

“Brother.” Byron greeted with a nearly-warm affinity as he took his place beside him in the feast hall. The swollen pride of the festivities not quite to his taste, the decadence beyond the comfort of his palate, but the Heir was accustomed to making a show of what he could. Modest but adequate portions, drink that wouldn’t dull his senses: he wouldn’t press the younger for whatever it was he planned to reveal, as ever Ran’s secrets were his own. Spread comfortably, Byron allowed himself a measure of relaxation as the rigidity of his posture relaxed among familiarity. “I hope you’ve found some enjoyment in all this… revelry.” Be it between the thighs, at the bottom of a cup, or with a blade firmly in hand – whatever the preference may be.

[sitzmarks]

closed starter for: nayara kaelvorn & ran solkarith || @indu1ge place: a servant passageway near the sacred room within kal’there coven, time: as the seren & cian snooping thread is happening

Nayara had been careful enough to memorize some of the guards rotation within a few days of arriving at the Kal’thera Coven, and she is now grateful for the fact. Lingering on one of the servant passageways near the sacred room of the coven, she taps her finger carefully against her side and keeps a mental hold of her mental clock as if to ensure the time does not slip away from her as she observes Seren trying and failing to pick the lock. Part of her is tempted to go help her, if only because she is internally cringing at her attempts, but a smarter part tells her that keeping watch is key if she wants to pull her into one of the secret hallways if the guard rotation moment approaches. They still have some time, at least, but she can’t quite relax. Lips pursed thoughtfully, she keeps lookout through a hidden opening on the wall, her eyes flickering from Seren to the main hallway out of the area.

She is focused on her task, so she almost does not notice the noise of steps. They are quiet, but not the sword of quiet meant for servants that are not meant to be seen or heard. It’s the sort of quiet trained fighters carry. Freezing in place for a moment, she glances away from her peephole and winces when she notices a shadow approaching from the hallways bending angles. It’s too late to move, so she quickly arranges herself, hands behind her back, head tilted down just enough to have her hair hide some of her features. That, combined with the servant clothes she had borrowed from one of theirs should be enough to distract and avoid identification.

Or it would have been, if once the stranger approached, she had not dared a quick glance up to see them.

“Lord Solkarith?” She asks, perplexed at the recognition that burst forth at the glance.