Helm of Darkness

PAST LIVES OF HEATH : | 1584 - 1645 | : MUSASHI

Miyamoto Musashi, also known as Shinmen Takezō, was an expert Japanese swordsman and rōnin. Musashi, as he was often simply known, became renowned through stories of his excellent and unique double-bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 60 duels. He was the founder of the Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū or Niten-ryū style of swordsmanship and in his final years authored The Book of Five Rings, a book on strategy, tactics, and philosophy that is still studied today.

Zak: We aren't in court, these aren't even DMs I don't need a case.

Zak: I know. why do you treat me badly when I don't even kidnap you so I can enjoy vegas?

Zak: that doesn't sound like you don't bat for the other team in fact 🤔 🤔 🤔 it sounds like you do want me to fuck you 🤔 no judgement

Zak: I know why do so many people think that? Does everyone have a subscription to the National Enquirer?

Aideon: I don't treat you badly. You're just sensitive.

“Good, it looked like a mess,” Preston said, pausing for a second to continue his workout. He’d never been great at multitasking while exercising. Sometimes when he was a kid and hiking with his dad, he would forget to answer what his dad was saying because he was so caught up in just keeping moving. “Girlfriend, huh? When did that happen?”

Heath took a deep breath and started his next set. “I’m sure it was. Anything involving Kade Wilson is, if you haven’t notice by now.” The familiar burn in his calves was welcomed and help to clear his head. “Uh..Officially about a week and a half ago. We’ve been dating about a month and a half before that.”

Zak: I'm really starting to doubt the love you have for me. have all those years of friendship and accidentally roping you into iffy situations meant nothing?

Zak: I hate you

Zak: You're blocked.

Zak: I hope my assistant remembered to make the donation to EC but you're rude and I will not fuck you for a shitty tshirt. It's unrealistic for you to expect that for a souvenir. You're the reason the world's ending.

Aideon: You're definitely not helping your own case.

Aideon: That has been proven otherwise.

Aideon: I don't bat for the other team so I have no issue with this at all. Do you? No judgement. Just wondering.

“And so your facade as a Renaissance man crumbles,” She teases as she looks at him with a teasing smile, “Next I’ll find out you don’t actually know anything about hitchcock or Titan isn’t really your dog.” Dramatically she lays a hand on her forehead and sighs, “Oh the perils of modern dating.”

Heath let out a hearty laugh. “Oh, wow. Who knew you could be so dramatic?” He snorted, biting into his apple again.  The man poked her in the side. “Next, you’ll be quote Shakespeare at me.”

Zak: because you love me and also nostalgia or whatever

Zak: you brought your girlfriend a souvenir but not me?? where are your priorities man?

Zak: you think you're guilting me, but you should know that i'm impervious to guilt. I have never felt an emotion in my LIFE

Zak: EXCEPT BETRAYAL COURTESY OF YOU

Aideon: Sure, that's why.

Aideon: I took Carine to Boston with me. She didn't need a souvenir. Not saying that she doesn't have any.

She smiles up at him, shifting forward to push his inky locks back and gaze into his dreamy eyes. “Mm I suppose I could make an effort in restraint.” She replied as she cradles a book in her hands. “Though you might have to pry your Decameron off me, if you dare.”

The man shook his head in amusement. “I have my ways of persuasion.” He replied, sitting on the end of the large reading table in the middle of the room. “I might take a book or two myself. It’s been a while since I’ve had a good read.” Heath said, looking at the shelves. They were filled with hundreds of books long before he was born. 

Zak: I was hoping my silent treatment worked

Zak: did u really not bring me, your favorite person in the whole world, a gift back from your wild sex parties in boston?

Aideon: You're so annoying. Why do I put up with you?

Aideon: You're going to have to talk to my girl about that favorite person in the whole world position.

For most vacation with a boyfriend meant romantic activities, and while Heath was never short in the romance department-Carine had fallen madly in love with the library as soon as she’d seen it. She looks up, gasping when he appears before a warm smile blooms on her face. “Heath Alistair if I try and bring home one thing, I’ll bring home twelve-this place is amazing.”

He chuckled, chewing easily and swallowing his bite. He looked around the room, stepping further inside. Heath was glad she enjoyed it so much. It was one of his favorite rooms growing up. “How about we put you on a library system?” He teased. “Take a few with you now and then you can swap them once you’re done.”

Carine: Does one work?

“This place is amazing,” the word feels inadequate for the obvious charge in the air, something that feels like a thin film adding new perspective on the world, but she settles on amazing to avoid rambling on. “When you put it that way, it sounds silly to think taking one of thirty rooms could be an inconvenience but I just want you to know that I never expect any special treatment. I treat what I do and what I’m helping you do very seriously, you’re really important to me.” She’s more vocal than usual, but she knows its because of the full moon and she tries to reign in her emotions. Harper’s glad for the movement and mild distraction of him coming to take a seat until he sets a box between them. “Oh boy,” slips between pink lips before she can think to stop them. “So I see,” she raises an eyebrow at his grin thought a smile pulls at her the corners of her mouth. “What’s that? What sort of trouble have you been getting into?”

His grin turned into a soft smile at her words. They’d been together for quite some time. He couldn’t imagine what life would be like with out her. “You’re very important to me too, Harper. Hence the gift...it’s just a little something to show my gratitude for this weekend. Infinitesimal in comparison, really.” Despite his profession, Heath wasn’t exactly the best expressing himself emotionally. He’d always prefer to show his love and appreciation through physical acts. It was his love language.

Harper had tucked herself away in an overstuffed chair with a book in her lap to keep her company when she found a few hours to spare. Despite the fuss she had made about being perfectly content with staying at a hotel, like clockwork Harper found herself giving in to Heath and agreeing to stay in his home. It was a beautiful home, exposed brick and surrounded by so much greenery only a madman would have been able to resist its charm. Placing her finger down as a makeshift bookmark, Harper looked up to give him a quick grin. “It’d be rather difficult to have a bad day here, don’t you think? Thanks again for letting me stay with you, it wasn’t necessary but I love all of this.” She waved a hand gesturing to the entire atrium before waving him further into the light that the airy room had to offer. “Have you been keeping busy?” Her question was laced with light innuendo but figured that she was owed as much when she had to book an additional ticket to Boston months after she had booked his original ticket.

The man brought a hand up, waving away her thanks. “Yes...this place has always had a charm about it.” He mused, looking around the room. The light streaked into the room through the open windows. Dust motes floated through the air making the space seem ethereal. “You’re insane for thinking I’d let you stay in a hotel. This place has thirty bedrooms.” Heath made his way into the room taking a seat on the couch across from her. He set the small gift box he’d been hiding on the coffee table between them. “It seems like I’m always rather busy nowadays.” He answered, tossing her a wolfish grin.