Where: An Sídhean , castle grounds
When: Bealtaine Eve, twenty minutes to midnight
Who: @touchtheflames
72 unread messages.
The glow of his phone against the darkness of the courtyard was a small comfort, his one connection to the world that was about to be severed for a while. Sorrel didn't dare open any of the growing pile of texts that now cluttered his inbox, lest he let emotion sway him into revealing how terrified he was. Seeing him fall from grace was enough, he wouldn't allow people infer he was anything less than brave. This wouldn't break him. He was Sorrel Fairwind, Knight of the Golden Court. This couldn't break him. Fingers scratched at his unkempt stubble, a far cry from his usually groomed demeanor. When this was over, he would have a chance to prove himself. Or maybe he simply held on to the thought like a life raft, hoping it would keep him sane in the hellhole he was about to descend into. He felt his pocket for his pack of Davidoffs, lighting one up just for having something to do other than wait for Ember to show up. Not that he blamed her, he'd shown up early, not wanting to keep her waiting on his account. On Bealtaine of all days.
New message: Hazel Kavanagh
Fingers gripped his phone tighter, eyes shutting of their own accord for a good second. He didn't want this, didn't want another person worrying about him when he was undeserving of it. He'd let his court down and it was his burden to bear. Maybe she didn't know anything about it yet, and he could return to her dopey smile and a warm plate of cookies when he got back. Maybe he could live for a while with Zinnia, who had all but guarded him the past few days. His anchor in this storm. The castle came back into view as his eyelids fluttered open, a shard of glass piercing his chest at the thought of everyone inside getting ready for the night. Maybe none of them would notice him gone. Maybe, just maybe they would do him the kindness of pretending as if this episode never happened and let him go on with his life. His thoughts flew to Garnet, of the finality of their last encounter and the way those dark brown eyes had turned away from him. He should've been by her side tonight, jesting about how her eyeliner was messed up and her heels did nothing for her height. Telling her how pretty she looked nevertheless, so he could convince her to ditch the party early and go crash some late night taco joint. Swapping a ridiculous looking dragon themed flower crown for whatever monstrosity she had designed for him this year. Watch her fall asleep in the cab while he shook his head.
New message: Tiger Fairfield
Sorrel wanted to chuck his phone in the nearby pond, be done with this once and for all. Rationale won out and he resigned himself to another cigarette, smoke clouding his vision as he let out a deep breath. Almost missed the figure approaching him was it not for the steady crunch of heels against gravel. "Evening." He nodded, grateful it was her and not Cobalt who'd been sent for the job. Much as he admired the Guardian, Ember had his respect in a way he couldn't. She walked the line between black and white and played a game much akin to his own. Everything was fair in a competition to her and his own reckless heart could appreciate someone who bought this wind of boldness to the court. He held out the pack of cigarettes to her, seeing as they still had time before he was to be deposited in. Not that he knew whether or not she smoked, but courtesy called for it. "Want one?" He offered, voice tinged with tiredness already. "Or am I holding you up?"
