✦ W Λ R B I D D E N ✦

"𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎 𝒊𝒕."

[warbidden]

𝐃𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 ⸺ 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐍

𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝖔𝖋𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖙𝖋𝖆𝖇𝖑𝖊𝖘 ‣ 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝖏𝖊𝖓𝖓

𝖛𝖊𝖘𝖕𝖆𝖗𝖎𝖆 𝖕𝖊𝖓𝖍𝖆𝖑𝖑𝖔𝖜 ⸺ spy ‣ dusk court ( anya taylor joy )

[n1ghtsongs-deactivated20250913]

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 .

[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.

[feathcrcd]

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 ? "

[warbidden]

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."

[ethercvl-archive]

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."

[warbidden]

"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."

[ofsvnshine-deactivated20250104]

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.   ”

[warbidden]

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.

[courtsongs]

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."

[warbidden]

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.

[sparkledcrowns-deactivated20251]

☆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.

[warbidden]

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.

[shvdwscng]

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."

[warbidden]

"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.

[shvdwscng]

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?"

[warbidden]

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."

[lichtundschattens-deactivated20]

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?"

[warbidden]

“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?”

[warbidden]

+++ 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.

[ofsvnshine-deactivated20250104]

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.   ”

[warbidden]

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."

[talonabraxas]

The sun watches what I do, but the moon knows all my secrets.

[shvdwscng]

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.

[warbidden]

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.

[n1ghtsongs-deactivated20250913]

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.”

[warbidden]

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?"

[warbidden]

+++ 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.

[ofsvnshine-deactivated20250104]

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   ..   ” 

[warbidden]

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?"