Sebastien had sequestered himself away deep within the libraries of Denocte since he had returned from the festival in Solterra where he had met Caelum. He thought of her more each day, and how he needed to ensnare her entirely. He had spent each day from dawn until dusk reading up on what little literature Denocte had about the Fae. What little he had learned so far was that there were two courts that were mentioned without names. The rest of the books were full of fairytales. Sebastien found himself perusing the shelves of the books with a look of boredom on his features as he tried to find something else that might sate him until he could be with Caelum again. There were so many books here. Books on wars. Books on rulers. Books on magic and the rules the author believed magic bowed to. In truth, magic bowed to no one. Not even the one using it. It was like a wellspring nestled in the user's body. It is a thing that takes as much as it gives. For some its energy, for others it's physical.
There are those that practice magic by using objects as conduits. Sebastien sighs and watches the plumes of dust sweep off the shelves in front of him. The scholar cocks a brow at the state of the shelves and heads to the front of the Library to snag a duster. He makes his way through the rows of forgotten shelves and sweeps the duster over it. Often when one sees him, it is a glimpse of his white tail disappearing around one of the many bookshelves. He sidesteps around the other equines perusing the shelves. Sebastien has half a mind to appoint himself Denocte's librarian at this rate. He'd have to talk to the Sovereigns for that though. As he gets lost in thought, he bumps into the backside of another. The duster falls from his lips as he is momentarily startled, and he glances up toward the stranger. "Sorry about that, I was lost in thought." The words flow from his mouth without much thought. At least they're genuine this time around. Sebastien reached down to pick up the duster that fell to the floor and peered at the stranger to make sure he hadn't derailed whatever it was they were doing.
Sonmael arrived in a rather rough way, he could not immediately pinpoint what exactly had happened yet he only felt sudden despair when he knew he was in an familiar yet unknown place – alone. While he was usually clear-headed, a rational thinker even, none of that was visible now as he took in his surroundings while slowly standing up.
Next, came an intense pain that seemed to course through his entire body, paralyzing him on the spot and making him remember the few moments that happened before he arrived here. There had been a storm rolling through the land and he had been caught up in it when he tried to get home after running an errand, but right before he could cross the gate of their home, lightning had struck him. It had momentarily taken him out, making him fall down and close his eyes. When he opened them.. he was here.
Once the pain subsided is when he could think clearly again, despite the energy still simmering in his bones. Now.. he needed to know where to go from here. Should he stay in this place – hoping his brother had somehow arrived with him or should he find shelter for now? He knew could not stay walking around forever – especially not with the weird feeling he held in his body, which he chalked up to the lightning strike. It did kind of strike him as odd, though. He had been hit, but outwardly his body didn’t look like it had been affected at all, other than the ache he was feeling himself.
Not something he was ready to think about now, first… he needed to survive through the clutches of winter and find his brother, his father, anyone he recognized or could trust right now.
and if the house just keeps on winning
i got a wildcard up my sleeve
and if love keeps giving me lemons
i'll just mix 'em in my drink
The little fae checked herself in the mirror one last time.
A quick glance told her what she already knew. Her hair had been bound back from her face, braided halfway down her neck before being allowed to flow free - to make sure the long moonspun strands wouldn't obscure her vision during the long flight. A cloak was bundled around herself, protecting the bag she wore beneath that carried different supplies, but mostly empty vials for further collecting. She'd borrowed the outfit just the other day for this very flight, and gathering mission. To ensure that while she was up in the higher altitudes, she wouldn't be exposed to as much freezing feather. She was a summer faerie, that meant the cold did not agree well with her.
Sighing, she knew she couldn't put it off any longer.
She fluttered out of her shop, ensuring it was properly closed down, and locked up behind her, before she took off into the air, and began to make the long trek through the skies towards Dusk Court. She was relieved that despite the chill, the sun was shining, and thus promising her an easier journey that a more unpleasant day might have produced. And the warmth of the sun upon her wings, heating her body beneath the thick winter cloak, helped as well. The journey still took more than two or three hours. But finally she had landed in the courtyard of the current sovereign of Dusk Court. The maiden bowed her head regally to the guards positioned at the front door of the Citadel, her ears perked forward, stepped forward, ignoring the small bunches of flowers that blossomed at her hooves with each step. She'll apologize for that later, "Pardon me, I do beg your forgiveness for your intrusion. I wish to request an audience with your king. My name is Caelum Knoxx, I am but a humble tea shop owner, and medic with Denocte, but wish to be granted permission to gather herbs upon his land, as well as arrange a meeting with whomever he has appointed head of the hospital regarding some recent developments in the nature of medicinal application."
It was the first time using her full name in public.
While prior she feared the surname would be recognized, as it had been the surname to the royal family of the Summer Fae for so long; her fears had subsided with continued time of hiding in Novus with no one recognizing her (beyond Luvena). But she knew requesting audience with a king, particularly unannounced; was an art form . . . thankfully the runaway fae queen knew every brush stroke and medium for this particular art form, and as she stood tall, proud, and every ounce of an individual who lived and breathed politics, and completely in her element, she just hoped it would be enough to grant her an audience.
There was a part of the little fae that was rebelling from the darkness that had been holding her back lately, a part that longed to dance in the moonlight and seduce a handsome stranger. That was the part of her that she let free that night. She wasn’t sure how to let herself free after the turmoil, but she found music joining her thoughts.
Letting the music dance though her, she started to hum and play in the snow. She had left her mane and tail free and flowing, letting any she came upon see the real her. This was the fairy that had left her court, the being that desperately wanted to be light and good rather than dark and cold. She was happy for a moment, allowing the pain and turmoil to melt away in the winter night.
Her wings were letting dust flutter around her, like little stars before it fell to the snow and glittered there. Here, in the silent field, she could be happy. No one was here to see her, to judge her for her wrongs and the traits that were so clearly lacking. Just the dark fae and the moonlight. Or at least that is what she thought. She couldn’t see others, had let herself melt into herself and just be.
Pausing in the moonlight, Syn lifted her head and gazed at the stars with bright green eyes. Her mane and tail settled around her, the tresses a mess from her movement. A moment of peace, a place where she could forget her mistakes and the expectations that had been placed upon her. A place of magic. A place where nothing mattered but her and the snow. It was this place that she let fill her and relax away her tensions.
LYSANDROS
they'll wait to tear your wounds open...
Portals that spat unsuspecting bodies into new worlds was a familiarity for the large stag. Lysandros had done little more than step into the passage in the forest nestled in Caeleste before he was dragged through yet another portal. It whisked him far away from a dying world and into one that was as equally as foreign to him as Caeleste originally was. This too was a world far from home. Lysandros stumbled out through the whirring tear in space and time on unsteady feet. He turned to gaze at the portal that had taken him from the place he'd expected to remain the rest of his days in. The gods had forsaken them, and it had left a sour taste in his mouth.
Lysandros didn't actually know why his new home had turned its back on him, but he couldn't go back. It was time for him to move on. The soldier moved forward with no real sense of direction. The land that extended out before him was foreign and covered in stone. There were other equines nearby, also inspecting the portals no doubt spun up by some great mage or magical event. He continued to move deeper into the unfamiliar landscape, but much like his old home, he found himself wandering in circles. Lysandros stopped in the center of the clearing with annoyance clear on his features. He knew he wasn't the best with direction, but this was just embarrassing.
"I'll have to find someone to point me to a bar..." He grumbled to himself and pressed on down a path he hadn't tried yet. Lysandros stopped near another equine wandering down the opposite direction. "Can you tell me where the nearest tavern is?"
Hi everyone!
This is a little write up for an event we had been discussing on the discord a couple of weeks ago.
The idea that if you fill out the form we will know what characters people are interested in bringing, as well as an idea of how many merchants vs attendees there would be. please fill the form out in character, I think this will be entertaining to read. If your character cant read or write maybe they could get someone else to reply for them. perhaps they think this idea is a load of garbage and would like to let us know!
The dance is a fun idea for those perhaps less interested in a shopping/merchant type interactions; as well as a chance for cross court socialisation.
If there is anything you would like to add or suggest we can discuss that in this thread too! <3 Morphi.
☾ Novus Spring Festival ☾
When winter's chill finally washes away and spring begins to wake, so too does the Novus Spring Festival. The festival is when all the courts convene to share their talents and interests. There has been enough rivalry and friction throughout the ages, dating well back to before anyone can remember otherwise. The festival however; welcomes all. The promise of a new beginning. That new start could be a new skill, a new lover or even a new home! The chosen hostlands are heavily guarded at the time of the festival ensuring peace.
The festival will continue each year as long as there are enough participants interested. Each year messengers are sent out to the courts requesting a register of an expression of interest. These skills and offerings are written down to inform all those attending of what may be available in the coming spring! The hard work of winter pays off when crafters of all kinds get the opportunity to share their wares!
~-------------~
Good Tidings!
Spring will soon be here! The Novus Spring Festival will be holding its exciting debut event Dawn Court will be the first to host the festival! Illuster Meadow within Delumine will be our pitching location Please see the back of his letter for travel directions.
The meadow is a wide open lovely space with plenty of room to set up multiple stalls as well as the tents to house many of you traveling a longer distance to attend. On the first night of the festival there will be a full moon, moonlit dance for lovers and friends alike.
Please be sure to write clearly, and to only mark the appropriate field with an X
Please RSVP with the following information: Name: Court: Do you intend to attend the dance: yes [ ] no [ ]
Mark the appropriate tick-box with an X if you are intending on providing goods or services: Food & Drinks [ ] Goods [ ] Services [ ] Security [ ] other [ ] Please write in short detail what goods or services you will be bringing.
I'm ready to bleed to make amends And sleep in this dirt we call our bed So tell me your secrets And join me in pieces
To fall and rewrite the bitter end
Shivering cold nights took some getting used to. It was an adjustment compared to living around a volcano that was perpetually hot all year round. The growing colt stood beside the battered tree which provided some comfort from the blustering winds. The winds whipped and howled through the cliffs. It almost felt like they were woefully singing to him. Speaking of their suffering and of their torment. Its effect only made Aeon feel more alone. He was constantly swinging from trying to not miss his previous life and striving to flourish in the new life he had found here.
If the ancestors could talk to him, he would imagine their voices wouldn’t be all that different to the moaning of the wind in the cliffs. Ancestors he would never meet as he couldn’t fly to see the records of them in the caves. The others had spoken of talking to the ancestors of guidance and of wisdom. It was difficult to place what exactly he was mourning when a strong connection with his tribe was never really formed. Was it the missed opportunity to prove them all wrong?
Bucky and Liam had kindly taken him in. He felt like a burden, and in some fashion he was. His skin was beginning to heal but it would take time before he was of full health. Youth still had its grips on his physical strength, and he was in an awkward stage of growth. In time it would even out, his wings would catch up to the rest of his body. Maybe even one day he would be able to fly.
For now he could only take solace in that he was alive. He really was lucky to be breathing here on this cliff face. Aeon was unsure how he felt about fate and about what was predetermined in their lives. Did the choices made matter? He had yet to meet any creature here that made him doubt that Novus was a better place then his previous home. No one had been as brutal and as exclusionary then his own family had.
Overcome with emotion he felt the need to imitate the sound of the wind. To commune with the howling cliffs. His volume was nowhere near that of nature. His voice was seized by the wind and carried through the cliffs. He felt the howling sounds leaving his body. It was freeing and in that moment he felt connected to the world
Content Warning: Mentions NPC as potential drowning victim.
As the night crested, angry clouds began to gather in the sky at Praistigia Cliffs. In the dead of winter, the ocean was an abyss – dark, like spilt ink, and seemingly endless. Usually barren, and rightfully so, tonight a small flame could be seen flickering on the lip of the cliffs.
Do you feel it?
A colt - who was now a fresh yearling - stood at the edge of the cliffs, peering down into the gaping, hungry mouth of the sea. Like the last fall leaf desperately clinging to its home branch, he quivered violently in the frosty wind, his chestnut and flaxen curls catching wayward snowflakes.
“Stupid dare,” he mused through his chattering teeth, sending a spiteful glare back to a trio of ponies that stood safely on the sidelines. His frail chest grew as he swallowed a deep breath, watching as his expelled air clouded in front of his face before dissipating into the winter flurries.
“If you want to be a yearling you’ve gotta do it! One of them chimed up.
“Just jump already –” agreed the second.
The third added, “We haven’t got all night. It’s only a matter of time before our parents – “
“Alright already!” The lone colt snapped; his little ears pinned to the back of his skull as he shook his head at the buffoonery of company he chose to keep.
Do you feel it now? It’s akin to a second heartbeat: a deep, foreboding pulse. It is ancient, yet feels familiar to you. It guides you towards the sea.
Pale hoofs were placed at the crumbling edges of the cliff, he trembled terribly as he tried to somehow conjure the courage to take his leap – his test – this foolish tradition in order to prove to his comrades that he was becoming of age. The black waters churned far below him as if taunting him; the slushy seafoam licked and piled around jagged shaped stalagmites. The salt in the wind stung his eyes. Every fiber of his body was desperate to stitch him to the earth, begging him to not test the laws of gravity.
You must feel it. It is screaming at you now, demanding you, throbbing in your ears. It is instinct, and it is pressuring you to flee to the cliffs swiftly.
The colt squares his jaw and straightens his shoulders. He doesn’t fear death.
Hurry.
He gathers all his might.
Faster.
He jumps.
Faster!
His friends cheer as he plummets into the black hole of the sea, but their shouts soon turn to horror as they have yet to see him resurface. The sea has swallowed him whole. Beneath the waves, he struggles to regain his orientation. Which way is the surface? It is all so dark and he cannot see. The frigid temps begin to seep into his skin, the oxygen is being strangled out of him, he is screaming for his friends but they cannot hear his cries. The water is rising in him, his body is being battered by the aggressive pull and push of the ocean, the cold is asking him to close his eyes and succumb to the motions.
Who has the power to save him? You.
In a brash - and pointless - dare, a small group of yearlings goad their "friend" to take a leap off the Praistigia Cliffs in an effort to prove his worth. He is hesitant, and in these mere seconds of hesitance... something is able to beckon for help. It calls to @Below Zero in a primal, unspoken urge — compelling her to get there, as fast as she can.
The colt's feet leave the cliff's edge ... then the water swallows him whole, and refuses to let go.
—
Thread requirements: 1 reply, 500 words. Please tag the RE account in your reply.
How to tag this account: @*"Random Events" without the asterisk!
swallowed up in the sound of my screaming
cannot cease for the fear of silent nights
oh, how i long for the deep sleep dreaming
the goddess of imaginary light
It starts with a flinch. A subtle slip against her mind, a wayward thought about it being too hot. The wayward thought had the female concerned, looking around, side stepping further from the windows as if the touch of the sunlight had reached her despite the blackening curtains drawn tight. She doesn't think on it again until a few hours later. This second whisper is like a touch that prods at her mind, a subtle image that flashes across her subconscious. This time, however, it's the slightest image of a bird in flight - like a still pulled from a book and printed off for her eyes alone. Why was she thinking about birds at all. Was she thirsty enough that even a bird sounded love? No, it couldn't be that, she kept her own thirst quenched with the chilled blood kept on hand in the manor, usually indulging herself on a glass or two a night. With the thought of a toffee-hued little lamb showing up at her doorstep at any moment, Valan had no desire to be caught with her eyes even a shade darker than the rose hued color she kept.
There's silence again for a long while, hours passing to which the mare began to think the odd thoughts were just two one of chances of her mind wandering. The day began to stretch late, and as the vampire found a place to settle herself down with a book, humming under her breath with each turn of the page, reading a soft romance tail between a maiden and a pirate. How rakish the pirate seemed to be, daring enough to sweet the maiden off her hooves, showing no fear as he battled for her heart. Why couldn't Valan be that sort of brave, to tackle love like it was a quest, not a battlefield littered with mines? Why did she shy away from memories and thoughts of her precious, but limited time with Thomasin, rather than strike up the decision to visit on her own?
How long do you wait after getting the girl's number, before you dial-up? What passage of time marked the differences between 'obsessively-desperate, 'just right', and 'play-girl-taking-too-long?' Particularly as she just wanted to sink into the familiar warmth and softness she felt around the soft mare, with a garden growing in her chest. To lose herself in the sterling eyes that promised her she wasn't a monster, wasn't meant to be run away from. Avoided at the very least, hunted down at the very most. Why with Thomasin did she feel safe, and like just another mare, rather than a vampire so old she has forgotten when she was born? It wasn't love, Valan was certain of that. Why would the little lamb be in love with her, why would she fall for the little lamb? The lamb and the lion made obscure friends, they didn't warm each other's beds.
A flash of an inquisitive emotion and the sleepy stirring of a petal against her cheek had the mare's head snapping up, eyes wide. All thoughts of her little lamb gone from her mind as she turned slowly to see the roses climbing to her bodice had shifted slightly, twirling through her mane when she hadn't noticed, and one was now cuddling and snuggling against the flesh of her face. Valan jump to her hooves, and instantly she was ignoring the setting sun that still poked and prodded and heated her skin. The licking of pain, the feeling of the burning was largely ignored as she ran to his rose bush, the one that had been carefully nurtured from the smallest cutting of her mother's rose gardens so long ago. She dove beneath the willow that helped to keep her safe from the sun would visit him so long ago, "Rosario!" The plant had previously been rather wilted, not dead but hibernating every time she had visited. Buds had been tightly closed, and the leaves rolled up, closed up. Now those same leaves were stretching for the sunlight, those buds beginning to unravel.
A sleepy sense of contentment drifted through the bond-link with the planet as the rose spirit that had attached itself to the mare basked in her familiarity. Instantly small vines and roses curled up around her legs, the flowers blooming as soon as they touched her body. The petals fluttered against her as if gifting her with hundreds of butterfly kisses, of hugs meant for just her alone. Additional vines seemed to weave in with the ones that she normally carried around with her, and slowly the flower that had been nuzzling her cheek returned to her shoulder, a little more aware of everything as the time came along. I need to tell Thomasin! The thought startled her. Sure, she had promised to introduce them when Rosario rose out of hibernation . . . but the rose was only just beginning to wake.
Regardless the mare allowed the handful of wayward vines to intermingle, splitting themselves from the host plant to join with the 'main vine' of the hive that was always clinging to her shoulder. She smiled brightly, a fangy touch of delight, before stepping out of the willow. She hissed, as the sun burnt the already tender, and heated flesh, before making a wild dash inside. Okay, so maybe not visit Thomasin just yet. Instead, the dainty mare checked her back and sides, her face, relieved only to see some strong red patches, but no seriously detrimental burns. But . . . Thomasin . . . Valan turned towards the entrance hall, the closet off to the corner, and grabbed a thick, heavy black cloak.
It was never really needed, her own body not minding the cold no matter how chilly it was, how much snow or wind was blowing. But . . . She dawned the thick cloak anyways, drawing it over her face, and wincing before having to jerk it hard over her head so her horns penetrated the top and would help anchor it low over her face so she was less likely to be caught out in the setting sunlight. Grinning, the mare nuzzled the drowsy plant who filled her mind with confusion, before merely holding onto her tighter, vines clinging to her forelimb, tangling into her mane. She didn't pause, she didn't hesitate, she took off at an exciting run to Denocte, to reach the mountains, to aim for a cottage at the base of them on the other side.
The trek up the mountain was easy, her hooves silent, but sure, as the mare climbed with one destination in mind. It also wasn't her first time crossing the mountains, as she'd visited Denocte many times before, one such time had been when she'd met the coffee-dyed mare she was now on a mission to visit. And so crossing the mountain was no issue, the true struggle came with finding the hut mentioned to her at the base, as there was still a lot of ground to cover. And so the vampire allowed a different sense to aid, ignoring the desire to search with her eyes and instead of breathing in the scents to search for Thomasin's trail. The scent of candles, herbs, and baked goods was easy to identify, further proven to be her little lamb's by the aromatic scent that she associated with Thomasin and her chest of foliage.
Valan's eyes brightened before she started off in that direction, "Hold on Rosario, and we'll be there soon. Thomasin will love you." She stated to the plant that was growing more awake as time passed. Spotting the snow-laden hut was easy, the scent of baked goods proving it was the right home, and then Valan paused, hesitating. Should she have sent a note ahead? What if it wasn't a good time? What of Thomasin had company? W-what if she had romantic company? Maybe she shouldn't have come. Maybe she should go home. Maybe she sho- A glimpse of that toffee-tinted pelt was all she needed, Valan's limbs carrying her forward even before she could encourage herself. A sailor enchanted by the lament of the siren, and Valan would willingly throw herself at her siren's mercy and pray that Thomasin be gentle with her. Valan knocked at the door, even as she drew her hood back, so her features would be visible, wild curls half-tucked into the cloak, pooling around her aristocratic features. She waited with bated breath for that door to open, knowing if her heart could move, it would be pounding against her chest right now.
It was just nerves, she was just worried Thomasin wouldn't like Rosario, that was all. Nothing else, not at all. Yet, Valan couldn't keep the soft smile off her face when that door was opened, her rose gaze softening, even as she kept her fangs hidden to not upset her little lamb, "Thomasin" It was less of a greeting, and more of a prayer of salvation dropping from her lips. The subtle shift of the main rose, perking its petals up past the hood, pulling down on the cloak fabric with a vine reminded her why she was here, those thoughts having fled so quickly when in front of her obsession, "I promised to introduce you to Rosario when he awoke from hibernation . . . Is this a good time?"
Dawn spilled into her chambers, the pale light starting to illuminate her cherished trinkets. The soft light drifted over the face of the sleeping young mare, causing her violet eyes to clench before drifting open and blinking. "Morning already..." She murmured as she rolled to her hooves and approached the window that lead out to the dawn court. The turmoil of the past was brushed away by the promise of the sunrise over the citadel. "I may be young, may have had the role pushed upon me, but I am not one to let those that depend upon me to fall to disappointment..." She murmured to the dawn, turning her head and moving to her vanity.
With the telekinetic powers that all in Novus were able to use, Adne swept her ombre hued hair into an elegant dutch braid that followed the line of her crest. Her tail was left free and flowing, a tribute to the freedom that her parents had given her in the past. Leaving her bedroom, she moved to the first level and the kitchen that was there. The staff was already bustling around, but Adne found that making her own tea was soothing. Going through the motions, she sighed softly at the sharp scent that wafted from the cup.
Leaving the kitchen, she settled into her main living space. The mare was not one to have a specific place to greet those that might come to call, though she did have an office just off of her living room should more privacy be needed. Curling onto the pillows that made up her couch, Adne savored the warming sunlight and the hot tea as she woke fully from her slumber.
