✧ — ⋆Egotistical

Remember us, as simple an order as a king can give. Remember why we died. penned by: Alexia

[tamingofthemuse]

Anthonious paused for a moment, meticulously processing Eleanore's words. In the world of nobility, it was particularly uncommon to have such humble pursuits. Many pretended to be unpretentious; few truly were, but he believed her, which made her stance all the more intriguing. He leaned closer, his brow furrowing slightly with genuine curiosity, his usual aloofness momentarily slipping away when he asked, “Why is it that you would wish to hide in the shadows?" Something inside him urged him to understand the true nature of the timid girl. He barely suppressed a chuckle at her next statement, that little flame within her flickering again. “All is accurate. I won't pretend that in the grand scheme of things, you are easily forgotten.” It was not his intention to be cruel, but he wouldn’t dare feed into some fantasy to boost her ego. He raised his glass to his lips and savoured a long, generous sip of his wine before resuming the conversation. “However, that doesn't diminish the importance of your opinion—only makes it less likely to be heard. A truly great king thrives only when he welcomes a broad perspective. Your sister should take notes. ” He muttered, wondering if in a castle that grand, her family would even notice her missing presence. Secrets. Now, there was another overlooked use. It was a shame that their countries were often in high political disputes or wars. Otherwise, she would have been a useful pawn as a wife. “I’m aware you know your place, but do you truly intend to stay there? One must have aspirations. Unless, of course, your parents only allowed room for the twins to dream and now all the good ones are taken.” He forced a dramatic frown. He could not believe the language that came out of the small princess's mouth. It made him want to erupt into laughter. “You naughty girl! I thought noble ladies like you weren't meant to understand what men do between your legs until your wedding night. Where did you learn such a thing? Now, I'm starting to believe the shadows are no place for a young girl like you.” It was far too easy to ruffle her feathers; her radiance of purity was evident, yet he wondered if he could provoke a blush from her delicate cheeks.

[thyfroxenheart]

Eleanore drew her hands to her lap, fingers curling carefully into the fabric of her gown. Would it be so rude to run away in this instant, to cast aside any such need of diplomacy for sheer silence? Her redden cheeks burned, the young princess finding herself shrinking at the sheer presences of this boy. Boy. Yes. That had been what he was. A mere boy who was tempting her out of her careful woven shell. The words of her father lingered in the back of her mind, to be careful and protective in her pursuits. Her attendance was merely to give her confidence, to expose her to a world in which she would one day need to explore. But his temptation was ruining any such plans, forcing Eleanore into sheer panic. "Please," she whispered softly, eyes drawing shut. If she could will his existence gone, she would. Unfortunately for her, even in silence he dared not leave. "You mustn't speak for what you do not understand. My sister endures more than you could ever know. That is the difference between a King and a Queen. It is all laid out easy for a man, but a woman -- they must fight ten times harder to accomplish a single task. Men dare not speak against a King in power. With woman, they believe they can terror them down in a single slice." Eleanore's lips fell ajar, as if wishing to speak but finding nothing more to say. How had he been so easily capable of stirring the flame inside of her? If she had known his name or of his family, perhaps she would have been more willing to stand her ground. But he was a stranger, one in which she was still in wary of. "You are completely intolerable, do you know that? It is no wonder you seem to seclude yourself out here with me, there is no one else willing to endure your senseless words." Eleanore jumped to her feet, inching forward and away from the boy. "Do you not have any other person to humiliate or did I pull the short string in that circumstance? My brother should be coming for me soon, he will not take kindly to me being here alone with--" her words lingered out, as if understanding just exactly what position she was in. "The last thing either of us shall want is to be exposed in such a way or was that your plan this entire time? I shall have you know that it will not work."

[tamingofthemuse]

Zahra turned toward the unfamiliar voice. The bluntness of his tone caught her off guard, but after days of ornamental kindness and carefully rehearsed, hollow pleasantries, she found it oddly refreshing. A faint smile touched her lips. "No, I cannot say I expected sunshine and rainbows, though I certainly would not have complained if there had been. Still, I confess I underestimated just how determined England seems to be to keep the sun hidden. Is this not supposed to be the warmer time of year?" She stepped closer to the railing, gazing out across the darkening grounds before turning her attention back to the stranger. "As for what I did to get stuck here, let us simply say that daughters are often sent where they are sent where they are deemed most useful. I would assume most came here with an agenda rather than mere pleasure." There was no bitterness in her voice, only quiet resignation. "And you? You speak of the English as if they have left a bad taste in your mouth. What brought you to this gathering if you find the company so unbearable?"

[thyfroxenheart]

Talk of weather, how delightful. For Francesco, he cared little for the fact that the gloominess of the visit forced his seclusion indoors. When it came to entertaining court-life, Francesco found the best opportunity to absorb the secrets of others was from the close quarters of a palace wall. At least he did not need to struggle running around for the best gossip. That and a servant was never too far to get him another glass of whiskey. "I should like to think that the weather matches perfectly with those who live amongst it. The English, for that matter, are an awfully sullen pair." Francesco's lips parted in understanding, eyes lingering carefully down the stranger. She was a desirable match. Perhaps older than what most would settle for, but certainly one to turn heads. "And for that usefulness, does it happen to come with obligations?" Most likely a sense of security. If not for her future, that of her family. "Hmph." His voice lowered in thought, the tip of his cup pressing against his lips. "To learn." He stated bluntly, taking a swig of liquor before continuing, "and to investigate. There is much to learn from this change in power. You never know what alliance could form next." He held his cup out for her, shaking it slightly as if indicating her to have a sip. "To warm your stomach. If you are to find any suitable match, you might need to loosen up a little more. I heard the Lord of Canterbury is rather reasonable, except he is quite old. Though if you can quickly bear him a child and hold out until his death, I am sure you may fall into a rather considerable amount of property."

[tamingofthemuse]

OPEN STARTER // Location: England

Zahra let out a long, weary sigh, grateful for a rare moment away from the crowded festivities.The journey from India had been long, and the clash of new sights, sounds, and customs left her senses on edge. As she stepped outside, a gust of cool breeze swept over her, making her shiver. “Forgive my naivety, but is the climate always this cold here?” She murmured, wrapping her arms around herself.

[thyfroxenheart]

Francesco pressed the glass of the cup to his lips, taking in a swig of sweet whiskey. Eyes fell over the balcony, his free hand propping him up. The evening air was refreshing, soothing his thoughts after the long evening of conversation. The English, Francesco concluded, were an awful bore. Too stuck in their olden ways that the Duke knew the new found power would soon crumble. "With the English, I am afraid so." Francesco uttered out without a second thought, shoulders perking up as a new body walked into the light. "Did you expect sunshine and rainbows when you trekked into the unknown? What did you have to do to get stuck here?"

[tamingofthemuse]

Her brows drew together, and a tremor of shock and of wild, impossible hope passed across her face. What if? Just moments ago, she would have sworn that she would needto get on her hands and knees to beg him to even entertain the thought of staying a moment longer. Now he had more cause to leave than ever, yet astonishingly, he remained. Had she truly cracked his armour enough to slip beneath it?? She drew a fragile, shaky breath at the hand in front of her. Taking it would summon a storm neither of them would ever be able to command. Yet, still she placed her hand in his firmly, as though signing some beautiful doom. She pulled him nearer and felt the terrible gravity of it all. “Of course I want that. You know I would leap if you asked." Her voice a mere whisper, despite being alone. “But how? When may I see you again?” Her fingers tightened unconsciously around his, as though fearing he might dissolve if she did not anchor him there. She lifted her gaze and searched his eyes earnestly. For the first time, she looked at him in the candlelight, really looked at him. He was handsome in a way that could wound her, in a way that her heart gave a treacherous throb. The cruelty of the situation weighed heavily on her, the cold fact that she could never have him. Not truly. Even a friendship would not be sustainable in the shadows. Unable to bear the intensity of it, her gaze faltered and fell. “We cannot be seen together, if we were—my family would…" She could only imagine their anger and the walls they would raise to cage her more tightly than before. She was breaking every rule she had ever lived by. “Our families must never know. I imagine your family would frown upon it, too. Such a...friendship would be met with nothing but destruction and despair.” Her eyes met his once more, pleading. “And yet the thought of never seeing you again troubles me far more.”

[thyfroxenheart]

Her hand was delicate to the touch, as if Matthias could crush it had he closed his palm tight enough. The entirety of this conversation had been exactly that, a single fragile moment waiting to be destroyed. There actions were reckless in nature, as if crossing an invisible line towards unchartered territory. They were pushing themselves to kindle a small flame, one which would erupt into a wild fire. "Anissa." He whispered, their bodies nearly colliding as if an unspoken force urged them into each others presences. "There are too many questions, too much uncertainty about the future. We cannot rely on those dreams, on whether there is a possibility that either of us are able to keep this a secret." He would have never wished to hide the princess, her beauty was far too grand to be sheltered from the light. His hand reached upwards, carefully pressing along her jawline. "I know." His voice lowered to a soft whisper, disappointment etched on his words. He tipped his forehead forward, down casted eyes falling to the ground. What would his family think? There was no joy in a friendship amongst enemies. To be conversing would bring about problems -- anger, potential warfare. "Not merely frown, they would stop at no end to keep us apart. But I -- I cannot think of anything worse either. Anissa, you have bewitched me. We shall find a way to be together, in this world and the next." His hand dropped to her side, hovering near her waist. He dared to touch her, to capture her entire form with the very last ounce of strength he could muster. "Should we be apart, then we shall find a way. For now, the world has granted us the time to spend together. I can delay my departure home. Or --" they could escape into another world. No. That was nonsense, to give up title and family for love. She would not do it and he, he could not. Not with knowing that to running away meant granting Demetri the luxury to rule. "For tonight, at least. We may be together. Should you not be scare and I, I will seek to take no advantage of you. Underneath these masks, we are still strangers. No one should be the wiser."

[tamingofthemuse]

Merdyn kept to the deeper twilight, far enough that the lantern’s glow did not betray him, close enough that he never once lost sight of that familiar silhouette. Arthur was reckless to travel alone during the tumultuous time of changing crowns. There would be numerous ambitious royals eagerly plotting to shift their loyalties and win favour with the new. The stakes were too high for Arthur to be forging his own path without counsel. When he saw Arthur veer toward the estate walls, Merdyn’s jaw tightened. The guards were drunk, yes — but drunk men were unpredictable. A single shout, a single blade drawn in panic — how thoughtless he was.

Before Arthur’s knuckles struck the door, Merdyn shut his eyes and reached for the power coiled beneath his skin — an ancient force he had inherited, yet never truly mastered. He prayed that it wouldn't fail him now, as it often did. The air tightened around him, and even the leaves began to tremble as if a sudden gust of wind had passed through. He focused his mind on the iron latch and the narrow corridor behind it. Suddenly, the forest began to fade away and vanish as throbbing pain surged through his head. The room spun around him as he tried to steady himself, and the fevered rush of blood pulsed through him.

He then noticed his boots were met with a stone floor, not the dirt of the path. His eyes widened at the realization it had worked. The knock echoed through the halls before he had any time ot celebrate or pat himself on the back. Merdyn rushed toward the door and drew back the bolt before any servant could stir and pulled the door open himself. For a beat, Merdyn simply stared at him, unimpressed and deadpan. Then he stepped forward, grabbing Arthur’s arm with firm, unceremonious force and pulling him inside. “You have lost your mind?!" His voice burned with the intensity of a yell, though it came out barely above a whisper. “You walk alone through unknown lands, approach a seemingly random estate, and risk everything? There are men who would bleed for you, and yet you throw yourself into danger like this? Why not send them instead?”

[thyfroxenheart]

The world seemed to stop almost instantaneously, Arthur's fingers still coiled around his lantern. That sudden wisp of wind that pulled at the hem of his cloak was enough to draw his attention. It was no stranger who lurked the woods, following his every footstep until he reached this estate. No. Of course Merdyn could not obey a simple order to stay. Arthur knew it was safer that way, leaving behind all those he sought to protect. They were safer hidden away at a friendly castle, amongst loyal guards who still vowed to see Arthur on the throne. For what reason Merdyn had choose the harder path, one in which they could not merely turn back and live happily ever after was beyond the exiled king. "Have I lost my mind? Have you lost yours?" Arthur whipped around, meeting Merdyn straight on. "You were meant to stay, amongst the guards and servants that we saved. Why did you risk yourself to come after me? With no means of protection other than your one off incantations."

His voice nearly rose to its regular pitch, fingers gripping tightly against the pommel of his sword. Arthur was skilled enough to fight his own battles, he need not allow loyal men to die on his behalf. "Foolish or not, I need to spread my alliances. I cannot simply allow men to wander into the unknown if I am not willing to do it myself. No wise man is idiotic enough to murder me upon approach -- had they had a brain they would capture me for King Edmund to do the favor." Sighing, Arthur urged Merdyn aside. The sound of a guard stirring was enough to make the king retreat back behind the safety of the wall. Once hidden from sight, Arthur allowed himself to relax momentarily. "I am not doing enough, do you not understand. People are dying on my behalf and there I am, painting myself a beggar. If you've come to bring me back, you may as well leave. There is only forward for me. If you so wish, you may stay. But I cannot promise our journey onwards would be of any comfort you are accustomed too. I shall not think we would find any duck stuffed pillows to cradle our heads, maybe at most one shaped of a rock?"

[tamingofthemuse]

He paused, a slow, amused smile formed as he leaned his back enough to study her. His eyes narrowed with a newfound intrigue. "I thought you were all grace and poise, but apparently, there are teeth behind that smile. Dare I say, I am impressed? You speak of crumbling kingdoms with such ease, I didn’t realize that lovely mouth of yours could be so sharp. It’s… intriguing." The words slipped from his lips, laced with an unexpected admiration. Perhaps she wasn’t as fragile or delicate as her demeanour suggested. He had witnessed countless heirs from the more privileged branches of the succession line, their lives often cushioned by wealth and entitlement, speaking only of indulgences and ceremonies. Yet here she was, discussing survival and politics. Though he couldn't let her get comfortable, He leaned in, close enough to ensure only she could hear.  "You sound more like me than I would have thought. Careful, darling, your ambition shows. Keep talking like that, and one day you might be standing where I am now.” He was never meant to be king, but he couldn't deny the satisfaction he felt in wearing the crown that no longer belonged to his brother. He allowed the intimacy of the moment hanging in the air between them, just for a moment before swiftly pulling away. “Perhaps my nature is barbaric, but true survival, you speak of highly, will demand it. You carry yourself with such poise and grace, qualities that would make you a perfect wife, but kingdoms rarely survive on elegance alone. Please tell me that you are not so naive as to believe your monarchy is innocent and free of cruelty? "

[thyfroxenheart]

Eleanore's down casted eyes remained out of his sight, her fingers knitting together. She dared not be cruel and speak against the norm. All Eleanore desired was a simple life, one that granted her the ability to be herself. She cared not for a crown and the responsibly of leading a kingdom -- no. She merely longed to sit in the garden and read. "I try not to be. Intrigue brings interest, I should rather like to remain in the shadows." Where she was shield of any importance. "If they were to know my options, I do doubt anyone would give much interest. I am a woman, am I not? A third born, no less. I am surprised you even find this conversation worth your time." For what response did he want to carry on? "I --" Her voice flattered. Was she like him? What had that implied? No. Eleanore dared not seek any crown, especially not one of her own siblings. "You sound foolish to imply that I desire anything more than my own position. I am perfectly comfortable absorbing secrets from afar. I like to think that is my speciality." Hiding in the background. "I do not speak of my family nor of their doings, I have been perfectly clear that I am merely a princess. I know my place." He was digging for something, Eleanore has sensed it. Whatever he may have desired, she knew best to keep her mouth shut. She dared not ruin her siblings plans, even if she had known what they were. After all she was no fool to believe her world revolved around rainbows and sunshine, but she was aware that revealing her deeper thoughts to a stranger would have been wrong. "If you are seeking out country secrets, you should be wise enough to look elsewhere. I may have a pretty face, but I am not dull. You may be able to find an eager lady willing to open their legs for you and spill her thoughts. I shall not be me."

[stxeofgrxce]

She cringed a bit, knowing that look "I beg of you, please don't pity me...I don't need it" was it harsh? Maybe but the last thing she wanted was to be looked at like some Damsel that needed saving. "I'm getting Married not sold into slavery" she said simply. She was going to be a queen, a queen they will soon realize is not one to be kept on a shelf. "I'll demand to go home whenever I please. My family is too close to not see each other often."

"My mother would be disappointed if I let myself fall into those ways. She always warned me that my cousin, and even my Aunt had their moments of simplicity. I guess when something is done for so long it becomes instinct I suppose. Human nature." Could that be genetic? Past down from woman to woman? She figured she would never truly know. "Then I will hope and pray she is not, Because if she is she is not deserving of you..." Freya sighed "this will be my second attempt and since I failed so ceremoniously last time I can't object now. I have a duty to my family....my home" she explained. "I suppose I will have to be agreeable for the first few months....then I will show them who I really am" Which to some would be a nightmare to have as a wife.

Greta could have easily reached another climax if he had gone a little longer, but she still was satisfied none the less. Breathlessly humming has he reached his own end inside her. Holding on tight to his shoulders as he crumbled in her arms. She placed gentle kisses to his neck to sooth him "Good, very good" She cooed against his skin "....Incredible" she finished his thought and letting her self adjust and pulling him out of her. Getting to her feet, her legs for once felt weak, never in her time sneaking off like this had she felt that way after. "oh, don't look so sad." She pouted Jokingly reaching to cup his cheek "Married or not you may always bed me sir Astor" She declared matter of factly "There will be other balls after all" She teased a bit. "I highly doubt this will be our only meeting."

[thyfroxenheart]

Pity. Astor had never meant to do such a thing. He felt embarrassed to have even made her feel as such. “Forgive me, I should never intend to.” He drew his head forward, eyes falling to his hands. Was she upset now? “Then you are lucky to have such luxuries. My sister intends to be married off soon and I am unsure whether she would care to return home. That is a fear of mine, to never see her again.” He admired how close this stranger’s relationship was with her family. Astor had felt it was nearly the same with his own, but there were times he knew his relationship with his sisters were slipping away.

“I admired that from your mother. There is only one true way to raise a daughter and it is with strength and intelligence. I should only hope that my own wife would be able to raise our children as such. I would not want my daughters to think they fall into a small box, destine to be used as puppets for other men’s reigns." But would society allow him to control such standards? "Deserving of me?” Astor nearly laughed. “Why, I would want to ensure that I am deserving of her as well.” Whatever that may have meant. “I understand. There are not many options should a match fail again.” He knew from gossip that women who broke engagements were often looked down upon — a reputation was everything. “Now who are you truly? Other than an opinionated woman?”

Astor could barely speak, his body regaining the breath he had lost only moments ago. Holding his hand against the wall, Astor fixed his jacket. “Truly incredible,” he whispered. “We must promise to meet again to save us from our unbearable marriages.” Astor moved his hand upward, fixing the fallen pieces of hair on his head. “I should try not to be too sad. There is no question in that. I should bed you any and every time we meet. You must make an effort to come to my home, we could surely use your beauty in our court.” He did not know exactly who his wife would be, but Astor dared not think that anyone could be as beautiful as the woman before him. “Shall we return to our lives? You must promise me a dance, if that is reasonable. Or is that against your morals?”

[tamingofthemuse]

@thyfroxenheart // Reply from here

❛ books mean more than people to me anyway. ❜

❛ There is a different between a book and a person. For one, a book would never talk back in such a disagreeable tone. Even if it had and I care not for what I see, I can merely turn the page or retire the book. Do you not agree? Books could take on another form, one that humans can scarcely amount to. In all, I can hardly see a reason to dislike books. You would need to be completely idiotic. ❜ - Eleanore

"See, this is your problem, Eleanore. You cannot simply retire a book or ignore a page because it merely displeases you. What's the fun in that? Don't you wish to see how it ends?" Josephine replied quizzically. She tilted her head, lips twitching in amusement. Was that not the point of a book? To have you feel strongly, to spark an opinion, or at least let you walk a mile in someone else’s shoes? "Well, that I will agree with you wholeheartedly. I believe many find the process too slow. Or perhaps they’re just picky, like you, and can never find a book that agrees with them." She arched an eyebrow, her tone teasing. "Tell me, do you ever actually finish what you start?"

[thyfroxenheart]

There was a partial truth to her sister's words, one which Eleanore attempted to agree with. She shouldn't put a book away merely because she disagreed with the wording. There had been plenty of novels Eleanore immersed herself into, absorbing each and every word that danced along the cream parchment page. But those novels had purpose beyond mere entertainment. They were historical accounts, economic pursuits, and intellectual ideologies — not romantic fictional art. "Picky? How dare you, I simply have taste." Josephine twisted the novel in her hand, finger running against the indented spine. "I am blessed to be given little thought, allows me to immerse myself in whatever I desire in the library. Does mother agree to you reading something more disagreeable?" She extended the novel out forward, twisting it to reveal the title. "Mother does not allow me to indulge in other fantasies, so I must find them elsewhere. Have you read this one, it is about the woman's body."

[thyfroxenheart]

❛ books mean more than people to me anyway. ❜ (anyone!)

❛ There is a different between a book and a person. For one, a book would never talk back in such a disagreeable tone. Even if it had and I care not for what I see, I can merely turn the page or retire the book. Do you not agree? Books could take on another form, one that humans can scarcely amount to. In all, I can hardly see a reason to dislike books. You would need to be completely idiotic. ❜ - Eleanore

[thyfroxenheart]

ARTHUR --> LOCATION UNKNOWN

The darkness lent cover over Arthur, the exiled King using the small flicker of light from his lantern to carry him forward. Since leaving England, Arthur had spent majority of his days finding comfort in close alliances. There were still some lords within the Northern sphere of Europe who dared offer sanctuary to Arthur and any of his followers. For that, he was truly grateful not merely out of necessity, but to ensure his loyalist were safe during a time of wary. Days had past since his daring escape and Arthur had grown more restless with each moment. The King could no longer live hidden in the shadows and allow the usurper to pillage and destroy his beloved homeland. England was his by right and for that he would fight until his death.

When leaving England, Arthur had made a promise that he would soon find himself on top of that throne again. Whether it came through bloodshed or sheer luck, he knew that the war ahead would not be easy. He had struggled asking for assistance — calling upon young lords and knights to lend their swords for his cause. They knew, much like Arthur, that their lives were coming close to an end. Should they stand against the now King of England, there was no telling who may live and who may die. But one thing that Arthur knew well, is that it was worth dying for a cause as great as his.

Pressing forward, Arthur crept through the bushes and onto the estate. He had not known exactly where he had gone, but had hoped that those who lived within bore some sympathy to his case. If he was to wage another war, he needed higher lords with larger armies. He would need coin and food. And lastly, he would need hope. Luckily for Arthur, the guards had ended their shift early by drowning themselves in liquor. Hunched against the wall and speaking only nonsense, the guards gave no notice to the hooded man who approached. Slowly, without fear, Arthur knocked on the large wooden door and awaited its response.

[anurp]

࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ 𖤍 𝘈𝘕𝘜𝘙𝘗 ⸻ SHADOWHEART THEMED QUOTES + LYRICS. CHANGE ANY PRONOUNS IF NECESSARY. MAY CONTAIN MATURE THEMES.

❛ in this light the blood is black. ❜

❛ we begin in the dark and birth in the death of us. ❜

❛ what rage you must feel as you choke on your sorrow. ❜

❛ it's a darker path and it calls my name. ❜

❛ though she cannot remember, she cannot forget. ❜

❛ and know for the love of god, you need to suffer because there is a god who demands to be bled for. ❜

❛ i wanted to save the little girl in me. ❜

❛ all power demands sacrifice and pain. ❜

❛ born of a shadow with the face of a girl. ❜

❛ poor little girl; still waiting for her happy ending. ❜

❛ i will follow you into the dark. ❜

❛ i am the daughter of sorrow. ❜

❛ down the river, we flow. i'll give you my everything, i'll never let you fall. ❜

❛ you're never going to be back home again. ❜

❛ holy wisdom is not clear and thin like water, but thick and dark like blood. ❜

❛ this isn't who i am but i can't remember who i should be. ❜

❛ i'm not your protagonist, i've not even my own. i don't know anything, i don't even know what i don't know. ❜

❛ her heart was a dark forest, her soul all the wild things which dwelt between the trees. ❜

❛ she has been a prisoner since she has been a daughter. ❜

❛ i was well-practised at not saying anything i felt inside. ❜

❛ blessed be the children, each and every one come to know their god through some senseless act of violence. ❜

❛ and here you come with a shield for a heart and a sword for a tongue. ❜

❛ all your faith, all your rage, all your pain ⸻ it ain't over now and i ain't talking about forgiveness. ❜

❛ half gods are worshipped in wine and flowers. real gods require blood. ❜

❛ god loves you, but not enough to save you. ❜

❛ the blood that drips down from your chin is sickly sweet and metallic and, oh, so familiar. ❜

❛ you are not sure you remember who it belongs to anymore. ❜

❛ then bow your head in the house of god, and little girl, who do you think you are ? ❜

❛ you think you need it, you think you want love ⸻ you wouldn't want it if you knew what it was. ❜

❛ the woods have remembered you ever since the first time you got lost in them. ❜

❛ little by little she came to know tenderness and hope. ❜

❛ and now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good. ❜

❛ growing purple flowers from your heart 'til you find peace with everything you've been through. ❜

❛ and from the blood of the wound a flower sprang. ❜

❛ i can't abandon the person i used to be so i carry her. ❜

❛ i am built upon the wreckage of myself. ❜

❛ teach me the words i used to know, i want to remember ⸻ she is me, and i am her. ❜

❛ my life might not be what i thought but i wouldn't change a thing. ❜

❛ goodbye to the girl that i'd been. ❜

❛ i needed to be somewhere different. maybe i needed to be someone different, too. ❜

❛ if flowers can teach themselves how to bloom after winter passes, so can you. ❜

❛ the crescent moon fits the line of your cheek. ❜

❛ gladly feast on those who would subdue us. ❜

❛ tell me that you chose me. that you love me. that you crave the darkness. ❜

❛ i come as a blade, a sacred guardian ⸻ so you keep me sharp and test my worth in blood. ❜

❛ there is blood everywhere and i am lost in it. i breathe blood, not air. ❜

❛ one by one, i downed all the people i'd been. ❜

❛ by touch, by smell, i would know her blind. i would know her in death. ❜

❛ the blood on my teeth begins to taste like a poem, like religion, like the way you look at me. ❜

[nightprompts]

&. 𝐟. 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐳𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬.

(  dialogue  prompts  taken  from  quotes  of  various  f.  scott  fitzgerald  works.  feel  free  to  edit  as  you  seem  fit.  )

❛ you are afraid of being in love then? ❜

❛ i’ll kiss you if you want me to. ❜

❛ we’ll survive, you and i. ❜

❛ come and kiss me and let’s forget. ❜

❛ hard to sit here and be close to you, and not kiss you. ❜

❛ i’m not used to being loved. i wouldn’t know what to do. ❜

❛ sometimes i don’t know whether we are real or whether we are characters in one of my novels. ❜

❛ wouldn’t it be awful if we fell in love again? ❜

❛ i’m yours - you know it. ❜

❛ you’ve a place in my heart no one else ever could have. ❜

❛ books mean more than people to me anyway. ❜

❛ you’ve got an awfully kissable mouth. ❜

❛ i won’t forget you. i will promise to remember you always. ❜

❛ if i wait till i fall in love again i’ll just wait forever. ❜

❛ things you’ve just said and forgotten, i’ve put myself asleep night after night remembering. ❜

❛ love isn’t like it is in books. ❜

❛ i’m telling you all of a sudden, but it isn’t new with me. i love you. ❜

❛ i keep the light burning on your desk so i’ll think you’re there when i wake up. ❜

❛ the odd thing is that i’m in love with you anyhow. ❜

❛ won’t you let me lean against your shoulder just the smallest bit? ❜

❛ it’s been very rare to have known you, very strange and wonderful. ❜

❛ it’s sweeter to be alone. ❜

❛ if you’re tired of kissing me, i’d better go. ❜

❛ i’ve formed the habit of liking you. ❜

❛ there’s something between us- a sort of pull. something you always do to me and i to you. ❜

❛ i won’t have to build my love up. it’s up in the skies now. ❜

❛ you’re trying to leave yourself behind, but you can’t. the more you try to run away from yourself, the more you’ll have yourself with you. ❜

❛ i’m sorry i had such a devastating effect on you. ❜

❛ i forgot everything. your lips were so beautiful. ❜

❛ say you love me. say it now — can’t you say it now? even if you don’t mean it? ❜

❛ i still love you. that’s the odd thing. ❜

❛ my god, you’re fun to kiss. ❜

❛ i wouldn’t change you for the world. ❜

❛ it’s all so simple. he loved me and i loved him. that’s all there is. ❜

❛ you’ve fallen for me — completely. you’ve got me in your dreams. ❜

❛ tonight there’s got to be no past or future, no time, just tonight, you and i. ❜

❛ of course you could never love anybody but me. ❜

❛ i’m a lost soul maybe — i don’t feel at all like i ought to feel. ❜

❛ i fell in love with you the first time i saw you. ❜

❛ in my heart i love her all the time. ❜

❛ and what in hell could we ever be to each other? ❜

❛ i realized what was the matter, what had always been the matter — i was deeply and incurably in love with her. ❜

❛ i’m more beautiful than anybody else, why can’t i be happy? ❜

❛ you intoxicated me. it was just as though you were making me love you by some invisible force. ❜

❛ it’s because i love you, dear— ❜

❛ i once imagined you loved me a little bit, if you’ll excuse the presumption. ❜

❛ i loved you once — for a year i thought you were the only person in the world. ❜

❛ sometimes you think you’re so much in love that your love could fill the biggest palace conceivable. sometimes you haven’t got enough to fill one room. ❜

❛ his dark eyes took me in, and i wondered what they would look like if he fell in love. ❜

❛ people fall in and out of love all the time, don’t they? i wonder how they manage it. ❜

[thyfroxenheart]

"Persuasion? Ah -- Merely because you are female, you can certainly get away with much more tactics than I. Perhaps I could find myself able to persuade another, given the right circumstance." Francesco pulled his goblet to his lips, tipping it slightly as the liquor filled his mouth. "And what winnings are you collecting?" Francesco pushed the goblet away, eyes shifting back to the lady. "Of course. How could one not enjoy watching another in squalor. Most certainly the best time to be able to rally the troops and enact business." Francesco titled his head, lips curling to a smirk. "Plenty have slipped up. I do doubt not has many as you are aware of. Men tend to expel all their secrets to a women, must easier than that of a man. We should compare, simply to see what is the first fish to catch. I have a thought, though I lay curious as to yours."

"Loyalty is bought and sold, given the correct price. Only true loyalty lies behind those that are capable of wielding grave power without enacting too much fear." There only needed to be a grave source, one able to shift the balance of power to change the world. "I cannot say that I have, at least not in my existence. I should think there is true loyalty amongst us, we need only to find it. That is were you find it most difficult, finding that true loyalty."

"Arthur is wise, that is true. He is no weak man, but calculated. A man with no men cannot rise up and fight for his belief." Certainly not after several years of constant struggle. Arthur was, in Francesco's eyes, a figure to behold. Though no longer acting king, there was no doubt he would stand by much longer. For that, Francesco held his claim behind Arthur. "Truly. Plenty of us are eager not to fight, but to hold that power. Gaining such power comes at a cost." One which most men fall victim to. "Says the woman who I am sure is ready to enact chaos in her wake." Francesco's eyes locked with hers, his goblet once again returning to his lips. He took a steady sip before pulling the drink away, tongue running against the bottom of his lip. "Now whom would you throw your ring in for? Which of these men are certain to win? I cannot say many, weak little puppies all are sure to run back to their holes with the tails between their legs."

[tamingofthemuse]

Johanna let out a rare chuckle, acknowledging one of the few advantages of being a woman. “You could be quite persuasive to the right crowd. Bright-eyed girls spill their secrets for a handsome man, throwing away their futures at the first hint of romance. Give them a crumb, and they’ll offer you a loaf.” A trick her father often used. Deep within her, she felt the spark of a small, bright-eyed girl, a soft echo of the hopeful spirit she once embodied.  “I must not count my chickens before they hatch; it feels like a bad omen. By the end of the coronation, my fortunes will be clear to you.” She nodded, recognizing that men often let lust cloud their judgment. “Perhaps you need a female liaison. Powerful men often underestimate how valuable we can be.” Her eyes scanned the crowd, careful not to reveal too much without a guarantee of information in return, but she needed to present something enticing to prove she could match wits with him. She carefully scanned the crowd, her eyes searching for something of interest. She hadn’t wanted to reveal too much without a promise of valuable information in return. Nonetheless, she realized that to prove she could match wits with him, she needed to offer something intriguing.. Johanna pointed towards a girl with raven hair named Scarlett, who was across the room. “She doesn’t seem to fit in, as if she’s a puzzle piece from another picture. She walks with confidence and speaks with assurance that could easily deceive most people. However, not a single person I’ve spoken to seems to know which family she comes from. If you watch closely, she never puts herself at the heart of the action; instead, she lingers on the edge, a silent observer.”

“It sounds as if you are discussing tolerance and compliance in a ruler. That is not true loyalty.” Any level of fear causes obedience, but that was not the same as unwavering devotion. "Unfortunately, I believe true faithfulness stems from love, but love can make you blind and weak.. I think one must choose between love and power. Don't you agree?” Johanna offered a half-hearted shrug. It was the answer she had anticipated, but it was far from the one she truly desired. “We humans are so fickle. It's disappointing.” 

"It seems everyone but King Edmund agrees it's only a matter of time before the former king returns. Yet, we all showed up, didn't we? It seems we all crave a little chaos. I just choose not to hide it." Johanna’s smile curved slowly, dangerous at the edges. “You ask where I would place my bet? On none of these men. I’d rather watch them tear each other apart and make them chase their own tails. Why wager on puppies when you are a wolf?" She lifted her goblet, fingertip tracing the slender stem as though it were a throat she could claim with a single touch. “Surely, you must feel the same. None of them here stir my blood. All too meek, too cautious. But you…” Her gaze lingered on him as her smirk deepened. “You’re the only wolf among these pups. I could throw my ring at you, but I'm not sold yet." Her voice dipped lower, laced with a wicked tease. “ I haven’t seen your teeth yet. Show me more than a growl. Show me you can bite… that you can draw blood. If I see that you might earn more than just my vote."

[thyfroxenheart]

Matthias lips pressed together, a faint sigh escaping through the smallest crack. “Life may not be as difficult for you, but it is certainly a game for me. My entire life I have been subjected to war, whether that be physically on a battle field or mentally in our political chamber. It is a chessboard when you have little option for something else.” To argue otherwise, would have been pointless. Matthias could never escape the customs he grew up with, they were so far instill into his brain that it felt strange to let loose. “Perhaps,” he paused, trying to carefully determine what to say next. Why had he not left if she gave him zero reason to stay? He was intrigued, that may have been part — but for a Westergaard he should have not shown much interest. “I cannot say,” was all he admitted at first. She was, in some strange way, fascinated by his own nature. That was all Matthias could conclude. If she was not running at his first disagreeable statement, then she was not afraid of his demeanor. He did not understand why, as if she was intrigued in being completely dismissed by him. Yet he did find it comforting, knowing that there was a woman whom gave him a fighting chance. It allowed the strange tightness in his stomach to twist free, easing his discomfort and making him more relaxed. “You are certainly an odd creature. Had your parents not taught you to run when strangers threaten you?”

“Should I be offended that you thought so little of me? My intentions, though not entirely pure, are not always wicked. I may not always agree with my kin, but I cannot be the only one to fight for a simple cause.” He knew the way he came off as, someone who was inclined to care little for the common folk. In that case he differed from his family, holding onto the faintest notion that perhaps it was best to ensure the stability of his own people rather than that of those behind the castle walls. "I do, that is simply life. There is only so much that we are able to do, especially with our power . If I was to be King, perhaps I could make a difference -- as a prince I am trapped within the expectations of my father." To act out against Hans was beyond Matthias own wish, he did not wish to encounter the King's wrath.

His lips curled to a smirk, Matthias finding himself laughing briefly. "Did I hit a nerve?" His brow raised slightly, listening as she spoke. "Is that not what you try to preach otherwise? To have kindness when others do not? You cannot possibly believe I would be so inclined to act with kindness, especially after I have told you plenty otherwise." He was surprised in the way she had spoke, perhaps he may have gone too far. "I cannot say for others, but I do not think it would be with you. It is common for women's thoughts to be dismissed. What do men usually say, that they prefer a woman with no thoughts?" It was a ridiculous notion and yet Matthias knew plenty of men who preached that notion. As sad as it was, that had been reality of their world. Matthias examined her figure, eyes falling towards the curve of her lips and down to the shape of her body. He had imagined what she might look underneath, to unveil what was hidden beneath the mask. From his view, he knew her features would have been soft, perhaps rosy cheeks to match the way she smiled so broadly. He inched closely, voice falling into a whisper. "And what do you imagine I should look like?" There was a temptation inside of his body, an urge to reached forward to touch her lips. They were, in Matthias mind, beautiful. "Naughty girl. I cannot expose my secrets, but you are certainly an open book. Go on, what absurd words have you told another?" He stepped back then, pressing his hands behind his back. What was he thinking, he dared not ruin her. She was far too innocent.

Or perhaps she was not as innocent as she appeared. Matthias circled her body so that he was now standing behind her, he inched forward and lowered his head to whisper into her ear. "Danger comes in many forms." He was tempted to brush his lips against her skin, but knew best to keep himself slightly at a distance. "Test me all you like, but I would be your ruin." He added on before stepping away. "What would your mother and father think should you come home a different woman?"

Matthias kept himself still, eyes drawing to their intertwined hands. He lifted his arm up, tilting it slightly so that her palm was exposed. Bring his head forward, Matthias pressed a careful kiss against the skin all the while his eyes kept locked with her. "You could escape with me, to another world. One which you could have the control, where no one would starve."

Matthias examined the swans, trying to understand how he would gain their trust. He did not think that a simple creature would find comfort in eating from his hands. He figured that animals, similar to horses, gaged trust off personality. They understood emotions, auras and Matthias knew his was dark. "Is that all?" He questioned, watching as the swan moved through the water. "You only base your ideals of me off one conversation. You do not know who I am, not truly. Where I come from, what I have done. There is plenty that would scare you, plenty that would make you run away." There was little goodness in his heart, not the way he was raised. He was a killer. A tyrant. A prince who watched as worlds crumbled at the hands of his father. "Because you are pure, you are a ray of sunshine when the world is darkness. I would only burn out your light, hold you back when you deserve a world filled only of happiness." He paused, turning away. "We are not children, but adults. I certainly am not an easy man nor is my family."

Matthias dropped his body towards the grass, little the dew coat his jacket. "Another idea? Why, little dove, you are full of thoughts tonight." He turned his head, seeing her lips turn to a smile. He knew he could not argue -- he would do whatever she desired, so long as it made her keep smiling. "Now you are leading a dangerous life," he murmured, his tongue wetting the bottom of his lips. "Just you and me? Hm. Very unladylike. Are you sure? You would not want to be thought of as compromised." But Matthias was already on his feet, hand reaching out to help her up. "So tell me, are you trying to prove a point tonight? Not to me, but to another? That you are not this simple creature?" He pressed his hand gently against her lower back, his body closing the smallest bit of space between them. "You are playing close to a dangerous line now, to tease me as so." Matthias released his touch, moving back and towards the castle. Without another word, he took off into a run.

He pulled his mask off, letting it fly to the ground as he shuffled into the castle door. Turning around, Matthias looked to see if the other girl had followed, his body inching further and further away from the crowd. "Over hear," he whispered, signaling her towards the library doors.

[tamingofthemuse]

A powerful wave of protectiveness washed over her, flooding her senses with the longing to shield him from life's inevitable hardships. She yearned to hide him from a world that had already dealt him too much cruelty, longing to create a sanctuary where he could finally feel safe.. A place to inhabit where games were enjoyable and not necessary for survival. “Anissa felt the urge to reach out and hug the man in front of her. “The world has been merciless to you. You’ve endured more than anyone should. But if this life is a game of kings and pawns, then understand this—I am no opponent to you. I would gladly topple my own pieces before I ever sought your defeat.” Not that she would need to; he would have already won. Anissa did her best to suppress the prideful smirk growing as he admitted he didn't have a good reason for not leaving yet. “My parents warned me,” she murmured, her voice low and intimate, “but curiosity drives me forward. Perhaps they feared I would find beauty in the very thing meant to destroy me—or worse, that I would savour the taste of forbidden danger they tried to shield me from.” She let her gaze linger on him, leaning just slightly closer, enough to tempt, not surrender. “I might tempt fate… I might even run, but only to see how far you would go to catch me.”

Uncertainty clouded her thoughts as she struggled to find the right words. It felt as if every time she dared to hope for kindness from him, he swiftly told her that her expectations were misguided. This constant push and pull left her feeling bewildered, lost in a maze of conflicting emotions that seemed impossible to navigate. “Most men here, at least, seem to care only about expanding borders or gaining power, often at the expense of others. But you…you caught me off guard, in the best possible way,” she said softly, a shy smile tugging at her lips. She twisted the ring on her finger nervously, glancing away for just a moment before meeting his eyes again.” Honestly,  it only makes me want to know you more.” Her gaze flickered for the briefest moment, a subtle lift of her brow betraying her surprise at the word prince. “Expectations bind you, yet you still think beyond them. That shows more courage than most would ever admit. I know, it’s not easy when people assume that a title alone grants power. I’ve felt it myself—being a princess only opens ears in the hope that someone will listen to your ideas, nothing more. Though I’m sure you’ve done a great deal more than you’ve given yourself credit for.”

Anissa couldn’t help the faint smile tugging at her lips. He had struck a nerve, yet she hadn’t expected the comment to land so pointedly—or his laughter to follow it. She was still annoyed, but refused to let a minor remark ruin her night, especially when she was still intrigued by the man before her. She studied him carefully, eyes tracing every subtle movement as she measured her words. “Did I ever ask you to show me more kindness? Absolutely not.” She let the words settle, correcting the notion. She hadn’t wished for him to bend himself for her; she had hoped he might allow himself small moments of joy, if only for his own sake. “I would not demand that you be someone you’re not. I’ve endured your sharp words, yet I’ve tried to remain kind. And I’m still here, aren’t I? One cut is not enough to send me running.” She knew his game—pushing to see when she would break, when she would walk away. She let a slow smile curve her lips and asked, “Have you always had this way of seeing how far someone will bend under your words? Am I holding up, or have I already failed your experiment?”  At his question, she simply shrugged. “They might not all say it aloud, but they reward silence as if it were obedience. They don’t want to be challenged—not by a woman. I understand why, after all, they have male peers to discuss and debate worldly matters with. Most expect a wife to listen, not to think.” She paused, tilting her head slightly, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. “But you… you seem different from them. I imagine you must keep your betrothed very… satisfied with your attention.”

Anissa enjoyed engaging in stimulating conversation, yet she knew there were limits to how far she could push. Trapped by the unwritten rules of her world, she had learned to bend them to her advantage. She tapped her chin thoughtfully, letting her fingers linger a moment longer than necessary, and circled him slowly, her gaze drinking in every detail. “Your broad shoulders, confident stance and the way you command attention without even trying make me think you’re used to being noticed,” she murmured, tilting her head, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “I’d imagine a strong jawline, perfectly sculpted—a face like some marble statue. Lips that don’t give away promises lightly. And those arms—capable, solid, carrying a strength that’s difficult to ignore. Her eyes drifted to his, lingering too long, letting her breath catch subtly. Her eyes drifted to his, lingering just a heartbeat too long, letting her breath catch subtly. “And your eyes,” she murmured, tilting her head again, her smile softening. “Breathtaking. I’d imagine the rest of you is equally impressive. If my assumptions are anywhere near correct, well, I might be in far more trouble than I intended." A flicker of confusion crossed her mind as she noticed him take a step back, a distance she hadn’t anticipated. She lingered for a moment, her heart beating a little faster, before cautiously stepping closer again. One hand lifted, her fingertips softly tracing the fabric beneath his collar. It was a subtle touch yet enough to feel the heat radiating from him. She leaned in further, her voice softening to something, almost sinful in its intimacy. "The most absurd words are the ones that linger unspoken… things I’ve never dared to voice before. Words I would quite like to say to you." With a flutter of courage, she edged closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “But, you might be right. Maybe I’ve been too much of an open book. I might need to make you work before I willingly give up those pages.”  With a playful smirk, she pulled back, returning to the distance he had set earlier, yet the thrill of the moment danced in the air between them. This was unlike her—she’d never known herself to flirt so boldly or to feel such undeniable temptation. She hadn't even seen his face, but was ready to risk her impeccable reputation just to feed the burn within her. 

She eyed him as if watching a predator circle his prey, welcoming the hunt. She didn’t move at first, nor did she even breathe, as his voice curled around her ear like smoke. Her eyes fluttered shut for half a second at the nearness. When she felt his breath against her skin, she felt a shiver run down her spine. By nature, she tipped her head, exposing her neck to the wolf, hoping secretly he would sink his teeth in. She let out a soft gasp at his words, knowing he was right. He would be her ruin, wondering if he already had been. “Ruin me then,” she whispered, turning her head just enough so they were closer than they had ever been before. “But don't expect to walk away unmarked.”  When he stepped away, she almost dared to pull him back in.  “I may not be dangerous, but I doubt you're ready for just how fiercely you'll want to keep the mess you made—the thought of anyone else's hands trying to mend what is broken will be maddening.”

Anissa’s breath hitched at the brush of his lips against her skin, wishing she could feel them pressed against hers. "I envision in this vibrant other world you reign without limitations from kin, where playful teasing and tender touches would carry no risk. Escape with you it sounds irresistible,” she whispered. “But, I’d follow you anywhere, even a more grueling world than this, if it meant I could stay close to you. Even in shadows, it would feel perfect if we were together.”

They sat close together on the soft grass, the earth cool beneath them, but the heat between their bodies undeniable. “Unladylike indeed. I suppose rumours of being compromised are only terrible if they are true. If nothing happens…” she murmured, voice low and dripping with promise, “then I suppose I’ll sleep soundly tonight. No guilt. No secrets. No shame.” Her hand moved with purpose, cupping the side of his neck, her thumb brushing softly over his jaw. “But tell me, would that disappoint you?” Her voice dropped to a sultry whisper, eyes moving to his lips. “Were you hoping to leave a mark? To give me something to  lie awake about?” She pulled back slowly, eyes gleaming with mischief and invitation. It might have been a grave mistake to embrace such sinful desires, yet the flames of passion had been ignited within her, roaring uncontrollably. How could she put out a fire that had already engulfed her? As they stood up, she hadn't expected for him to pull her close. She had never known the weight of a body pressed so close—his heat spilling over her like the slow burn of a candle’s flame, tender yet insistent. The touch was a whisper against her skin, awakening every nerve in her

In such a daze, she couldn’t even find her words—speechless, caught in the hush that had fallen between them. Her breath was shallow, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm she barely understood. Then, as he slowly moved away, the sudden absence of his warmth left a hollow ache where fire had just been. She watched him dart toward the castle, his retreat swift but deliberate—a silent promise of the chase to come. He knew this game well—the cat and mouse dance they both craved, each eager to win yet unwilling to surrender too soon. And though she was left standing alone, the thrill of their unspoken challenge surged through her, a hunger that only grew sharper in his absence. She grabbed a handful of fabric from her dress, holding it higher than a lady should as she darted towards the castle after him. Her heart raced, matching the rhythm of her footsteps on the cobblestone path, each stride fueled by determination to catch up before he vanished into the shadows of the towering structure. She watched him carelessly throw his mask on the ground, which ignited her desire to catch up with him even more. His features were blurred in the distance, too far to recognize, but she knew exactly where he was headed. “How did you know this was where I wanted to bring you?” she laughed, a playful challenge in her voice. “Did you steal my idea?” she teased, genuinely astonished that he could guess her thoughts or that their paths led to the same spot. or perhaps their bodies were simply drawn to the same place, the same rhythm, without needing words.

But as she drew nearer, her steps faltered, as though the ground itself conspired to hold her back.  She froze, her heart pounding in her chest like a drum heralding an impending storm. A quiet gasp escaped her lips, eyes widening as she looked at him. Truly looked. The ache in her chest grew unbearable, her heart twisting so tightly it felt as though it might tear itself apart. She had been so close to surrendering the idea of love to the mundane, so close to convincing herself that the safety in compromise would be enough. That quiet, half-life might be kinder than hope. Yet he had come in like a storm, unexpected and all-consuming, and made her believe in something more again.  He had awakened something she had buried, something fierce and untamed, something she had never dared to think she could be. And now, with it alive inside her, she feared she could never return to what she was before.

Why did he have to be a Westergaard?

Her chest ached at the thought, the name alone sinking like a blade into everything she felt. It twisted what could have been simple into something cruel, something doomed. This wasn’t supposed to happen—not with him. And yet he had kindled a fire inside her, one that would not fade, no matter how she willed it. It had burrowed too deep, taken hold too fiercely. And gods, how she wanted the burn, even knowing it would scar her in the end. Her hands rose to her temples, desperate to silence her mother’s voice, stern and warning, echoing all the reasons she should turn away. Even his own voice, earlier, had tried to spare her. Everything she had been taught told her to run. But she didn’t feel afraid—not with him. She never had. And that was the most dangerous truth of all. “Matthias,” she whispered, his name trembling on her lips as though it might break her to say it. With unsteady fingers, she lifted her mask away, letting it fall, exposing everything she was, everything she feared. Panic set in as she feared he would leave once he discovered her true identity. Instinct overpowered reason; her hand reached for his, clinging to him with a fragile, desperate strength, as though begging for him to stay near. “Please, don’t leave. Not tonight.” Her gaze lifted, raw and pleading, voice breaking softer still. “Not after what we’ve started.” It was an admission. A confession of something neither of them had dared to say aloud. Whatever had happened between them—it had already taken root. And her fingers didn’t loosen.

[tamingofthemuse]

“How did you know I wanted to bring you to the library?” she teased, laughing as they reached the quiet hall near the library doors. “Did you steal my plan?” As she approached, her steps faltered, as if the ground held her back. He had taken off his mask, and even in the dimly lit hall, she knew exactly who he was. The sight of his bare face hit her like a blow, stealing the air from her lungs “Matthias…” Her voice cracked around his name. Her heart twisted with an unbearable ache. She couldn't ignore the fiery emotions stirring inside her tonight, even though it defied everything she was taught to believe. "No...” she managed to push out in a tone no louder than a whisper. “This was never supposed to happen…not like this.” Her fingers trembled as she lifted her own mask, letting it fall. Vulnerable. Exposed. “If either of our families caught us like this —laughing in the shadows, getting along, being alone together, they would be furious.” Every instinct within her screamed for her to step back, yet somehow, she found herself stepping closer. “But that doesn't need to change anything, right? Just for tonight, can’t we pretend that those masks are still on, that none of that matters?”

[thyfroxenheart]

Matthias felt the corner of his lip quiver to a smirk. He had not known exactly her thought, though had only hoped it be a library. “Secluded and mysterious. Only place we could be alone without the watchful eyes and ears of others.” The charade was over, his mask carefully falling from his face. The lace tangled in his fingers before dropping to the ground. She would know the truth now, revealing the horrible reality of his family. The sound of his name felt like a sharp dagger piercing his chest. It tugged uncomfortably, fingers curling to tight fists by his side. The joyful night took a disastrous turn, leaving them in silence. “I —.” He thought of nothing else, eyes darting quickly for the nearest exit. He could run — grant her the freedom of never seeing him again. Matthias moved to turn, only catching the glimpse of her mask falling from her face. Amazing. He was speechless, stomach stirring further as her face became clear. “Anissa.” He spoke softly, as if testing the name against his lips. This was the first time he had ever spoke of it, having only known it from passing conversation. “No.” Was the only word he could muster in that moment, Matthias taking in a deep breath before quickly piecing together the inevitable. If they continued along this course, he knew there would be repercussions. And yet somehow, someway, it felt rather enticing. “What if,” he inched forward. “What if I do not want to pretend for one night?” He knew this was a dangerous line, waiting to erupt at any second. It had not matter then, not when Matthias desperately longed to separate himself from the image of his family. He wanted to be different, better even. “Are you brave enough to take a leap with me?” His hand now was stretched out, only waiting for her to grab.

[stxeofgrxce]

"ask strangers bout stories they want to share, then write about your experience. Its for a Sociology class" Danny lied easily to the man. "There are some people here that claim you're crazy. So of course I want to hear a story....if it brings people to think you're crazy"

[thyfroxenheart]

"A socio -- who?" Cristos twisted his head in confusion. He examined the stranger slowly, not quite understanding what class was. "Crazy! Now that is a lie. I cannot be more crazy than you or the next person. I am merely speaking my mind." Cristos slumped over in his chair, resting his chin between his hands. "If I am going to speak, are you not going to need to transcript it somehow? How about --" Cristos paused suddenly, hiccuping from amount of liquor coating his stomach. Forgetting the inital train of though, Cristos continued onto another subject. "OH. Should I start back in the beginning? From the first breath of winter? You do know what winter is, correct?"

[tamingofthemuse]

He let out a soft, amused chuckle, tilting his head as he studied her. “Ah, a shadow that talks. How… inconvenient.” Anthonius' gaze lingered on her, filled with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. “Learning?” he echoed, lips curling. “My dear, you’re so far down the succession line I’m shocked anyone bothered to teach you anything at all. What could you possibly need to learn that isn’t already handled by the siblings ahead of you?” He inched closer, an edge of danger in the air, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. “Unless, of course, you intend to shorten that line.” His smirk sharpened.

[thyfroxenheart]

Eleanore's soft features suddenly harden, eyes drifting awkwardly to the glass in hand. She had known men to be cruel, though so openly came to a shock. Her coddle life never readied her to experience the harsh reality of court life. One could say she very much disliked it or perhaps it was him that left a bitter taste in her mouth. She took a moment to speak, lips pressed together before finally mustering the courage. "Survival. One can never count on the winnings of my elders, it may come crumbling down in an instant." She was a princess, yes, but one hidden behind the shadow of her siblings. She was blessed with a subtle freedom to explore other arts -- painting was a passion of hers. But still Eleanore had known she needed to secure a suitable marriage, one which granted her the luxury to explore her hobbies. "I--" she felt the back of her throat close, stomach twisting at his sudden closeness. "I cannot say I understand what you are implying. I do suppose it is in your nature to think only so barbaric. Perhaps it is not my line who should be so worried."

[jacaerysvelaryonn]

Jacaerys Velaryon in Every Scene (Wheel Spinner Edition) Talking to Rhaenyra on the Balcony