𝐃𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 ⸺ 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐍
𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝖔𝖋𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖙𝖋𝖆𝖇𝖑𝖊𝖘 ‣ 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝖏𝖊𝖓𝖓
𝖛𝖊𝖘𝖕𝖆𝖗𝖎𝖆 𝖕𝖊𝖓𝖍𝖆𝖑𝖑𝖔𝖜 ⸺ spy ‣ dusk court ( anya taylor joy )
styofa doing anything

if i look back, i am lost
ojovivo
$LAYYYTER

izzy's playlists!
will byers stan first human second
Lint Roller? I Barely Know Her
NASA

roma★
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TVSTRANGERTHINGS

Origami Around
Show & Tell

❣ Chile in a Photography ❣
"I'm Dorothy Gale from Kansas"
noise dept.
Misplaced Lens Cap

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祝日 / Permanent Vacation
trying on a metaphor
seen from Germany

seen from Spain

seen from United States
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seen from T1

seen from T1

seen from United Kingdom

seen from Germany
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seen from United States

seen from Germany
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seen from United Kingdom

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seen from United States
seen from United States

seen from Germany
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@warbidden
𝐃𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 ⸺ 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐍
𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝖔𝖋𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖙𝖋𝖆𝖇𝖑𝖊𝖘 ‣ 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝖏𝖊𝖓𝖓
𝖛𝖊𝖘𝖕𝖆𝖗𝖎𝖆 𝖕𝖊𝖓𝖍𝖆𝖑𝖑𝖔𝖜 ⸺ spy ‣ dusk court ( anya taylor joy )
she did not intend to wander so far from the main keep, but continuing within the daydream which held her, soon finding herself before one of the dragons, who was perched, and asleep, and seemingly sunbathing. as much as one could, in the strange lighting which permeated this area of the court. she did not wish to awakening the slumbering beast, now understanding where the idiom came from, and this was far larger than a dog. yet she also wished to approach, and hummed low in her throat, until the dragon seemed to notice her, one eye slitting open. “… hello.” which was a rather tender greeting, but she hoped some amount of kindness, and animal - speaking, would assist her. she did not expect to tame one, but approach? a thing of dreams, a thing of cauldron images. “do you have a rider? or are you on your own, like me?” if she remembered right, it could be either, for dragons chose their bonds, and she, involved in this, not noticing movement. / @warbidden .
look down. the words were whispered into the spy's mind with a reverberating growl of uncharacteristic nervousness following silently in its wake. vesparia and sylphira were returning from the penhallow estate to the keep, flying over a clearing in the forest. from their height, verdant eyes could barely spy the stranger on the forest floor but she could definitely see the sleeping dragon they were approaching. she faltered when she saw the majestic creature, a low hum slipping from her throat as if the sound alone could tether her thoughts. an orange dragon, its scales catching the half-light that bathed the dusk court. sylphira stirred in the back of her mind, a low rumble of curiosity, but also a hint of warning. this one is no plaything, ves, sylphira’s voice whispered through their bond, her presence more felt than heard. dragons are not to be trifled with. for a heartbeat, her rider hesitated. are you going to let them be dragon food? sylphira's voice slithered through their bond, a teasing lilt beneath the seriousness. "i know," vesparia murmured under her breath, though a smile ghosted her lips. you know i'm not so heartless, vesparia sent the thought over the bond as they swooped down towards the forest floor to the stranger who was about to have their first lesson on dragons.
the dragons were definitely something to get used to, but he had no other complaints regarding the dusk court. fae here were quite easy to charm into joining his revels and other bad ideas and even though it was another cage for the rest of the courtiers, coming from gaea to here, at least it was a change of scenery. something completely new. almost as new as he seemed to these people. perhaps the friendliness had something to do with that pair of black wings on his back since the dusk court hadn't seen winged fae before. it was yet to be determined how he felt about the fact. " not sure, but i have nowhere to rush when it comes to my impression of it. there's a lot to explore and i'm saving the good stuff for the last, which i'm thinking you should definitely enlighten me on, " the male spoke and gestured in her direction. " are you busy ? "
no matter how many times she met an illyrian warrior, vesparia always found her breath catching slightly as she admired the powerful, leathery expanse of their wings. the idea of being able to lift herself into the sky at will, to feel the wind beneath her with nothing to tether her to the earth, not even to sylphira—it was intoxicating. she could almost imagine what it would be like, to soar without restraint, to have that kind of freedom. her fingertips itched to trace the lines of his wings, to feel the strength of this...stranger but not stranger. she had learned his name previously. eldar. a handsome name for a handsome male. she supposed that would make him not a stranger.
a small, almost playful smile curling at the edges of her lips as she watched him, her eyes lingering on those wings with clear fascination as she took his response as an invitation to approach. "the good stuff, hmm?" she echoed, her voice taking on a sultry quality. "i might know a thing or two that'll be worth clearing out my duties for." she let the words hang in the air. she tilted her head slightly, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "but if you want enlightenment," her voice dipped lower, "you’ll have to give me something in return."
being stuck in the dusk court wasn't the end of the world for ahra, however seeing the stress that her brother was under in trying to figure out how to get them back home was something that the general was not fond of. wanting to learn more of the court though in the mean time was something that the general wanted to do. a hope that nothing would go wrong was prevalent, however learning that of the dusk court should they end up in a battle would be knowledge that would be helpful to the autumn court. "my view of the dusk court has not changed." the general replied to the other as she entered the gardens. "it is still an unknown court to me, i'm not sure where my court stands within this court. until my high lord and yours talk i won't know."
"i can understand that," ves replied. her voice, cloaked as lyria, was soft yet thoughtful, as though she, too, were a little uncertain. "i imagine it must be hard when so much about it remains unknown." she let a small pause settle between them before continuing, "but i suppose there are similarities too, in some ways. both our courts have a kind of… isolation. the dusk court, quite literally, and the autumn court—well, at least from what i’ve heard—can be quite closed off at times as well." the spy's tone was delicate, as though she didn’t want to offend, but the curiosity in her eyes was clear. she turned slightly, her expression a blend of curiosity and genuine interest as she carefully probed further. "you must miss it, though. autumn, i mean—" fingers brushed lightly against a flower. vesparia's touch was feather light, as if she was afraid the gossamer petals of sunset pink would fall away at her stroking but she knew better than that. she knew the vegetation of her home was hardy no matter how soft they looked. "...the forests of your home, the changing colours, the crisp air." ves smiled, a touch of warmth in her voice. "i’ve always imagined the autumn court to be beautiful."
kittichai nodded. “ yes, of course. ” their gaze only left the mysterious stranger for a moment so that they could take a glimpse at the flower once more and then their attention went right back to her. “ you have to ask things to learn things. at least that is what i like to remind myself. ” they hummed softly as they picked the flower from the ground and turned it over in their hands. “ but asking things can be scary at times, i understand that too. ”
she nodded slowly, her gaze thoughtful as she took in his words. "there’s always that fear, isn’t there?" she paused for a moment, her eyes flickering over him with a hint of curiosity. "but i think it’s often scarier to stay in the dark, unsure of what’s waiting on the other side." her lips curved into a small, reassuring smile before she continued, her tone warm yet careful. "you mentioned earlier that you were learning about the plants. i spend quite a bit of time around the gardens and the forests that surround them. maybe I could help you find what you need... or at least point you in the right direction." she tilted her head slightly, a flicker of genuine interest in her expression. "did you need something in particular, if you don’t mind my asking?" her tone remained light, nonchalant, though the question was carefully placed, gently probing for insight without making it feel intrusive. her fingers lightly brushed the leaves of a nearby plant, a casual gesture as if she were merely passing the time, but her eyes were trained on him, attentive, watching for any clue or hesitation in his response.
he was getting a bit more used to it, a bit more familiar with everything. he still didn't quite trust anyone here, but at least now it was his normal level of distrust rather than a holy shit where are we level of distrust. their conversation had fallen into more easy territory; he didn't often voice his distrust for others, although he made it obvious. his intentions weren't something he normally discussed with others. sometimes he didn't even know his own intentions. "i suppose, they're easier to get along with after some time," he replies, shrugging slightly, but there's a hint of hesitation in his voice. finally; "it's just hard to trust them, even the nice ones, when we know nothing about them. i can't seem to figure them out, and normally, i find that easy."
aurora had said to get to know their guests. but there would always be a boundary between them and the others. an inconvenient truth known as trust. or the lack thereof. vesparia understood that her court had not been tested in the same ways the other seven courts were tested together—tribulations that would allow them to form allies or even make enemies plain and clear. relations with the dusk court, however, presented a torturous limbo. unknown if they would be friend or foe until...something were to befall them. this was where the spy came in. taking pages from tanvir's books, it was ves' job to sow the seeds, but the uncertainty in the other's voice told her to not push too hard. so, slowly, almost methodically, she put on a mask and softened her gaze as she listened, her expression one of understanding. "trust comes slowly," she replied gently, her voice carrying a hint of warmth as if she were confiding in him. "you’re not the only one who finds it hard to let down their guard, especially when everything is…so different."
i can't seem to figure them out, and normally, i find that easy. if that was the case, vesparia would make it easier. she would be as open as the books she carried. "perhaps there are things we’re trying to figure out about you as well. trust is always a two-way path… or so i’ve heard." she chuckled softly, brushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "though, i find it difficult to believe someone who finds us so hard to trust would be so honest about it." her tone was light, almost playful now, but her words were carefully crafted, designed to put him at ease without giving too much away. "perhaps we should start simple. names?" she offered, realising she never did give him one during their last conversation. extending her hand, she said "the other librarians call me lyria." her alias, punctuated with a smile that faltered just as her books slipped from her grip.
☆゚*·゚EVERYTHING WAS DIFFERENT here and ellie wasn't really sure how she was supposed to be dealing with everything. she'd promised her brothers that she'd stay out of trouble and not tell anyone any secrets. but ellie wasn't sure what else that meant she could do. instead, she walked around the dusk court with a book in her hand, trying to find somewhere to sit and read it. finding herself out near the garden, she figured that'd be as good a place as any. ellie stood by the garden, trying to find the best spot when she heard someone's voice next to her. she looked up, smiling softly. "i don't know. people are nice, but i'm still very unsure about a lot. their flowers are nice though! what about you? do you like it here?" ellie asked, eager what other people thought about the court. she remembered in the back of her head that her brothers told her to be very careful what she said and now, it was all ellie could think about. it was a lot more stresseful than she realized.
with little effort, lyria imagined herself in other's shoes. "it can be overwhelming at first, can’t it?" she mused softly, her voice a soothing cadence laced with an air of quiet understanding. "the dusk court is my home. we have had no other places to visit save other islands in our domain. but...i do like it here." in truth, she did not hate it despite how much she wanted to leave the cold archipelagos of her homeland. the freedom that she has always craved laid teasingly beyond an invisible barrier. so, no matter how fast or how high she flew, vesparia had never been able to cross that boundary. it's a wonder why the dark mother had never thought to strike her down before. perhaps this would be her punishment—to watch the other courts learn about her home and then return to theirs, leaving her behind to waste away in a forgotten realm.
taking in a steadying breath, the spy composed herself, letting her verdant gaze flicker over the equally green garden, appreciating the blooms with an absent-minded air, before returning to ellie. "i also understand that feeling of uncertainty." the spy's tone remained soft, wiling the vulnerability she felt saturate her vowels, as though she were sharing a secret. "like the air carries whispers you can't quite catch. or, perhaps, those are the dragons' doing." she paused, letting the words settle, watching ellie for her reaction before offering a small laugh, light and melodious. "but you’re right about the flowers—they are beautiful, aren’t they? i think they’re meant to comfort those of us who feel out of place. unless, you've found a companion to pass the time." she said with a curious tilt of her head, eyes spying the book in ellie's hands. a silent question and an invitation to talk about it.
as days turned into a week, alistair had gradually become used to their surroundings, and the intense skies. sleep returned to him with far more ease, and while the commander of the day court was not a man who held most in suspicion nor was he prone to expecting danger, he did question those moments he allowed his guard down. it was a reluctant conclusion he had come to that maybe, there was no danger lurking for them here. he was also forced to admit, the dusk court did not feel as suffocating as they had all felt in the capital. they were certainly trapped here, but since arriving, it was after weeks they had received some for peace, despite the many unknowns around them. the familiar blonde that he had seen prior around the library appeared as he idly strolled about the gardens, "lady lyria is it?" he offers in a friendly greeting, paired with a polite smile. alistair was not normally seen in the libraries of any court, but he had far too much spare time on his hand, even as he continued to do his duties as commander. "i suppose it has, i would not say i'm accustomed to it, but i am willing to concede it's as unpleasant as i thought it would be." his gaze briefly moved to the books in her hands, "would you like assistance carrying those?" he was a gentlemen after all, thanks to the efforts of his mother's upbringing. "it also helps you all have been rather generous in your hospitality."
"just lyria," she corrected with a soft smile, a spark of something unspoken flickering in her eyes. titles were for formalities, for walls erected between strangers. but for this moment she would wear the mask of simplicity. slightly lowering her eyes, vesparia adjusted her posture, making sure lyria bore none of the exquisiteness and air of the upper class. "is it unpleasant, or just unfamiliar?" her voice carried a note of genuine curiosity, her head tilting ever so slightly as she regarded him. when the fae offered to help, ves glanced at the tomes cradled in her arms. "thank you, but i’m perfectly fine carrying these." her grip tightened slightly around one in particular, as if its weight was more than physical before she extended it towards him. "but, here’s one you might like." the dawn of twilight.
the book’s cover was unassuming, but the title hinted at layers beneath the surface. "a rather interesting read on the history we were brought up with." she added with a reassuring smile. the title wasn’t random, of course. vesparia, even behind her disguise, was nothing if not deliberate. "i hope..." her voice even shook just a little, flavouring her syllables with the innocence of a wish as she held out the title to him. "that if anything, it might help bridge the divide between our courts. that you can come to...understand us better and, in turn, we you."
there was a brief, almost imperceptible pause as she considered the male's words, then she shook her head with a light laugh. "hospitality is the least we can offer," she said, her voice taking on a more thoughtful tone as she looked out at the expanse of the garden, the air around them crisp. "the most, i guess...would be a way home." her eyes shifted back to him, watching for any sign she could read. they were all trapped here, but the key to alistair’s trust, perhaps even his favour, might lie in offering him something more than mere pleasantries. "if i may be so bold," she began, lowering her voice, as if she was about to confide something delicate, "do you know if anyone in your court is any closer to finding a way? there are whispers but..." she shook her head. a calculative inquiry at best; a selfish question at worst.
the edge in her twin's smile appeared once more, one aurora was all too familiar with. the sisters wore their masks well before others, she often suspected her sister hid a bit more form her twin. there was a deeper hunger within vesparia, that surpassed that of the emissary. perhaps one she should be concerned of, they might be same in age, but aurora had always felt a bit more of the protective sister to the other. two sides of the same coin, but if it was at all possible, ves held a notch more determination than that of her twin. determination had driven the emissary to her role, at first it had been a drive instilled by their parents but solely it had fused itself into hers. a taste of what she had since she began working with their high lord, only made her wish to continue. "we are several steps closer, ves, it's well within out reach. as for our dark mother, she did have some sort of a hand in leading these courts here. perhaps it was not her intentions but she did pave the way - we must ensure it does not close on us." her gaze trails upwards to the skies above, but once more they are all only met silence. "she may be watching, but her silence says much. as for our guests, they can try as they wish, they will only find a gracious high lord, an inner circle going above and beyond to welcome them."
it was hard to imagine a world where her twin was not by her side, that even when the rest of the world would be open for them, two would never be found far apart from one another. it was a first to find two twins so strikingly different from one another, and yet their desire to see the other prosper rivaling with one another. in every sense of the word, her twin was her other half, she made up all the parts of aurora that were lacking. as the emissary sweet talked her way through the high faes and rulers of their courts, her twin lurked in the shadows aiding her sister where she could. gently picking apart every secret their guests might held both of which could be useful and those that they need to be wary of.
"that will happen in due time, i do not find waiting an appealing chore but once i have our high lord forming an ally and a friend or two, we will be that much closer." she had already gotten a head start, charming her way through the high rulers, and a few certainly responded to her gracious words and smiles. lilac hues gleaming in delight but soft all the same as they regard her twin, stepping closer to her sister before reaching a hand out to grasp hers. "it is more than a start, gratitude sister, for every bit you uncover for me aids me more than you realize. I only wish to pick out the best courts for our high lord and our court." she paused, meeting her sister's striking viridian gaze, "yes, the day court. i have managed to have their high lord and ours speak, and i've been in communication with their emissary. of all the high rulers, he's the most reasonable one. the rest of the solars, perhaps even a season one as well if you could." the temptation to ask her sister for summer was once she suppressed. her personal interest in the liege morgana aside, one court at a time. "in between your lurking, have you met a few that strike your fancy? any success in befriending a few of our guests?"
vesparia could still recall the faces of the terrified fae trapped behind the invisible barrier. females and children, soldiers and rulers. some part of her felt justified in their terror and panic. let the other courts have some taste of the isolation—the desperation she’s felt for centuries—permeate their bloodstreams and fill the heart of their home with dread. it was a selfish thought, she’ll admit, but if her kin were to be honest with themselves, would they not also confess to the very same? "our mother is playing her own game. i do not think it was her plan to have all the courts converge." vesparia’s voice was low, her gaze distant as memories surfaced, the cold weight of centuries pressing upon her chest. "and now, they’re all stuck together, bound in the very prison we’ve endured."
she may be watching, but her silence says much. with aurora, the spy knew she could be honest, could let the darker musings of her mind take shape, unfiltered by the courtesies and masks she wore for others. lips pursed, she revealed her thoughts with a heaviness that few would ever witness. "i think she’s biding time. time to correct her cosmic mistake."
time. her eyes flickered to aurora, viridian locking with lilac. "perhaps it's time our high lord think about securing more than an ally. perhaps a more meaningful partnership with our neighbours might work in our favour." a marriage would more than solidify their claim to freedom, to claim a foothold in part of prythian as a whole. it's obvious that the other courts do not yet accept them as their own. and why would they? vesparia could not help her radical thoughts as fingers twitched slightly at her side, as if itching to set plans into motion to pull the strings that had already begun weaving their intricate patterns.
the spy was gathering as much intel as she could by slipping into lyria's persona everyday. the only respite she had from being the librarian was when she came to meet her sister. even now, she wore the librarian's garb under her flying vest. "if you want the solar courts on a platter, then i will deliver it." and she was sure tanvir would have more to say about them by the end of the week. her gaze soften, affection gleaming beneath her grin. "success, sister, is not measured in a single meeting or a fleeting conversation. it’s the seeds we plant, the webs we spin. and those, i assure you, are well underway."
vesparia straightened then, a glimmer of amusement flickering in her gaze. "a few." she said in agreement. "one of them being a commander in the dawn court. securing her good opinion will undoubtedly send the right message to the other courts. but truly befriending any of them? i'm afraid that's taking a while."
The familiar prickling sensation of watchful eyes had been trailing him for some time. Why wouldn’t it? This court, like his own, would be taking all the same precautions—eyes everywhere, collecting whatever they could about their visitors. Viego had anticipated it, fully expecting someone to approach him eventually. So when a soft, feminine voice echoed from behind, he was far from surprised.
"The people are hospitable," he said, finally turning to meet her gaze. His hands rested casually at the small of his back, fingers laced together, though tension tightened his grip. Concealed just beneath his wrist, a dagger waited—silent insurance, should the need arise. "Though it feels a little cramped with so many of us gathered here." He added, his tone measured, as if he were commenting on the weather rather than the subtle unease that lingered in the air.
"Do you work for the high family?"
“don’t we all, in some way?” vesparia replied. her voice was light, almost playful, as if the question itself were rhetorical as her gaze traced the subtle tension in his stance. her eyes flickered back to his. she could have sworn an understanding passed between them, as if they both knew how this game was played. she paused, a smile tugging at her lips. “the dusk court simply offers me opportunities to learn more. about people, about their courts...about their true motives.” she leaned in, her tone dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. don’t simply learn their motives. make them reveal them to you, the words were growled into her mind. the ancient dragon was listening attentively, so it seemed. “but don’t tell the officials i said that.”
“if you must know,” she continued, her voice easing ever so slightly, playful but careful, “i work for my own interests. which, occasionally, happen to align with the high family’s.” there was no denial. the truth sat firmly in the undercurrent of her words, yet it was veiled enough and should leave him wondering where her loyalties truly lay. as an offering, she proffered, “i’ve always been curious about life beyond the dusk court.” her words lingered, soft, her naivety crafted with intention. “despite what we’ve been taught, i’ve never fully believed the stories about how cruel the other courts are. surely, there’s more to it.”
her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, sharp yet warm. vesparia shifted the books from one arm to another, leaving her right hand ready to defend herself if she had to as she asked, “what about you? do you work for your court, or are your interests a little more… personal?”
+++ open starter featuring vesparia as lyria, the dusk court librarian (@ofcourtfablesarchive)
the spy stood at the edge of the garden, fingers grazing the spines of the books she carried. the soft wind catching in her moon-silver hair as she spotted the figure across the way. their last meeting had been brief but memorable enough for her to pick up the thread of conversation as though no time had passed at all. "so," lyria began, slipping into the familiar cadence of her alias. a slight tilt to her lips as she took a step closer—almost as though their meeting had been a game she'd been playing all along, "has your view of the dusk court changed at all?" surely her home was more hospitable than it looked. her tone carried a warmth that was hard to place. she didn’t press, but there was a subtle pull to her words, an invitation to continue down whatever path their conversation had opened before. her gaze was steady, eager, yet patient as she waited for them to speak, to see if they remembered where they had left off.
their eyes went big as the other spoke, an aura of coolness seemed to surround her and just about everyone from the dusk court they had interacted with so far. it was endlessly fascinating to them. and to be called brave !? they had never been called such a thing before. “ thank you ! ” they proudly answered, their head held up a little higher. with the information that it was in fact not the right plant, they frowned but nodded. “ good to know. ” they answered, brows furrowed as they made a bunch of notes in their little book they carried with them. “ i was trying to learn more about the plants you have here. i am the scholar from the dawn court, ” they added in clarification. “ i am a healer, as well. ”
vesparia's smile was slow, deliberate, as she watched the stranger’s enthusiasm unfold. "a scholar and a healer," she mused, her voice carrying faint intrigue that radiated with a warmth the highlands of the dusk court was not known for, though there was a flicker of amusement in her eyes. "quite the combination." she glanced at the little book they clutched, her gaze lingering but not long enough to glean something useful before returning to the stranger's face, soft and curious. "our plants are stubborn things. they don’t reveal themselves to just anyone. but don’t be discouraged—mistakes are part of the process. sometimes, it’s the wrong choices that teach us the most." a pause, as if considering something, then she added, "but you’re smart enough to ask. that’s more than most do when wandering outside their borders."
The sun watches what I do, but the moon knows all my secrets.
the days certainly held an endless pattern of excitement for emissary of the dusk court. truly, could anyone blame her? after endless isolation, aurora craved something new, craved entertainment that their guests delivered in spades. perhaps most would find the job of an ambassador tedious and taxing, with it's socializing and pleasantries that followed, but the emissary on the other hand, absolutely thrived. it also did not hurt she enjoyed having attention upon herself - while in this case it was not always a favorable one, but the curious glances she received , particularly when vala hovered around his rider, was certainly one the lady relished in.
only one person could pull her away from her duty, same time, each day at their beloved cliffside. aurora arrives a minute before her twin, lilac hues sweeping far past the horizon as if she would find what she was searching for all this time, whilst an incredibly relaxed vala ( in his occasional moments ) rested beside her. only a slight movement of his ears as he and the emissary caught sight of his rider's twin and her golden dragon. for a few moments words do not pass between the twin sisters, her gaze remaining on the scenic view before her twin's words draw her attention. her gaze settles on vesparia, two pairs of gazes holding unending determination but desires so far one another it seems. "not as far as you have it seems." there's a slight upward curve of her lips. once there was a thought her twin would be right beside her as aurora made her path to be working alongside their high lord, but it seemed evident quickly that her twin had plans for herself. yet, it was a rare thing to not have two siblings fighting for the very same thing as she had seen time and time again. "perhaps one of these days we might be able, and until then i intend to ensure i do everything within my power that we may step foot out of our court." their parents might believe one thing, but aurora didn't discount her sister's ambition, not born of politics but of something far greater than the ties that held them in their court. "did find something interesting for me today, darling sister?" lavender hues gleaming in a tinge of curiosity, but her own revealing she had plenty to discloser to her twin.
vesparia’s smile mirrored aurora’s, but there was something sharper in it, a glint of purpose mixed with a familiar yearning. "because it's waiting for us out there—," she said, her voice steady and laced with a steely determination. they had dreamed of freedom, of stepping out from the confines of their court, since they were young. now, it seemed more possible than ever, but also more dangerous. "—everything we’ve ever been denied. perhaps we’ll get there,” ves mused, her voice dropping, thoughtful. “but you know as well as i do—getting past the dark mother’s eyes won’t be easy. everyone has their gaze on us now, watching for any misstep.”
her verdant eyes slid over to the lavender orbs of her sister's. twins, they were. born on the same day just minutes apart and yet...the differences were stark. despite everything that sets them apart, vesparia knows in her heart of hearts that there was nothing in this world that could rip her from aurora. her soul was tethered to the capricious fae just as strongly as it was to sylphira. she paused, letting the tension build between them before she continued. vesparia hadn't found anything truly groundbreaking—no forgotten relics or hidden powers, just a collection of whispers and murmurings that confirmed what she already suspected: which high fae held the most sway in the courts beyond their own. nothing more than a few pieces on the ever-shifting board, but useful all the same for future movements.
she tilted her head slightly, a wry smile tugging at her lips as she replied, "nothing that will get us out of here just yet, sister. only names and faces—those with influence in the courts. some pawns, a few rulers." her eyes glinted with mischief, though the weight of the isolation they endured remained heavy in her voice. "still, it’s a start." ves leaned in slightly, her gaze holding aurora’s. "is there a particular court you’d like me to penetrate?" her tone was casual, but there was an unmistakable hunger for more—more knowledge, more freedom, more answers hidden in the lands beyond.
open starter: featuring, nori anders. @ofcourtfablesarchive
constant in the flux of her turmoil, though outward countenance did not reflect this, seated upon the edge of a chair, hands folded against the spine of a book. once - commander's heart thrummed in this unsettled anticipation, dark gaze glinting towards door and window at each sound which crossed through unfamiliar court. daughter, before the hearth, having busied herself with various blocks, both with same coarse hair ( but she had her father's eyes, nori thought to herself, with some remorse and chagrin ), and same silence. spine straightened upon hearing another noise, this time clearer rustling. did not shut the book in her lap, but rather glanced sharp towards the threshold. “someone else seeks the quiet.” both comment to daughter, who did not pause in play, and acknowledgement of the other presence. “or they may wish for something else.”
vesparia had introduced herself as lyria when she first encountered the red-lipped fae in the library, whose razor-sharp eyes were as keen as the unusual blade at her side. the sword was unlike any vesparia had ever seen, delicately curved, housed in a sheath that was crafted with unmistakable precision. "not quite, no, my lady. only the book of children's fables you requested," vesparia said, her seafoam gaze flickering briefly toward the steely presence of the other fae. in the short time between meeting this stranger and retrieving the second volume of folklores, vesparia had learned that this was no ordinary fae. she was a commander in the dawn court’s army. her eyes lowered to the book resting on nori ander’s lap before rising once more to meet the fae’s discerning gaze. "how are you liking the first volume?"
+++ closed starter for sister dearest, aurora penhallow ( @shvdwscng )
the wind whipped through vesparia’s hair as sylphira’s wings beat rhythmically beneath her, the rush of the ocean below roaring in her ears. the clear summer sky stretched endlessly above, and the salty scent of the sea clung to the breeze. she knew the spot by heart, the grassy cliff overlooking the vast, sunlit ocean where the dusk court’s lands met the horizon. as the golden dragon dipped lower, vesparia spotted her twin sister. aurora was already there and on time as usual, standing tall, her dragon resting beside her. her gaze was fixed on the mainland of prythian, still visible in the distance under the rays of the evening light.
vesparia landed softly behind her, sylphira’s talons sinking into the grass with practiced grace. the breeze was gentle, carrying the sounds of waves breaking against the rocky cliffs far below. for a moment, neither said a word as one sister came to stand next to the other. the mainland lay sprawled before them, its forests and hills stretching far beyond what they could see from here. her eyes traced the distant horizon for another heartbeat. “still trying to see what lies beyond?” the blonde asked, her voice light, though the familiar tension between them lingered, unspoken but always present.
open starter - @ofcourtfablesarchive
they were sat in the garden, legs crossed with a book out in front of them and head tilted to the side in obvious curiosity. “ excuse me, ” they said, calling out to stop a passerby. they held up the book they were holding and nodded their head towards the flower in front of them. “ does this flower look like this image here ? i want to say it does .. ” they bit down on their lip, very clearly talking out loud now but still rambling on. “ though if i'm wrong … i could be giving someone not a poisonous plant rather than a healing one … oh stars .. ”
a soft chuckle would escape her lips as she looked over at the fae, eyes gleaming with a mix of intrigue and caution. "you're certainly braver than most," vesparia mused, stepping closer to the flower in question. she glanced between the plant and the image in the book, her sharp gaze taking in the details. her fingers hovered just above the petals, not touching, but close enough to assess it. "this isn't the one you're thinking of," she continued, her voice steady but carrying the weight of experience. "trust me, if it were poisonous, you'd already know by now." there was a slight smirk at the corner of her lips, one that hinted at her confidence, a glimmer of her keen knowledge of dangerous things. "what are you looking for exactly?"