BURNING BRIGHT

“I MAY NOT HAVE YOU INTELLECT, LADY BAELLA, BUT I WILL STOP YOU. YOU HAVE DONE TOO MUCH DAMAGE TO OUR HOME.” ya-wen pulls out her blade, long and recently sharpened. the sound of it unsheathing is audible, the ringing of the blade lingering for a moment after it stills. ya-wen looked to baldur and to the woman thalia, nodding her head.

she might die, but at least she would die setting things right. she charges towards the god with all her might, feinting at the last moment to attack from the left instead.

( @embcrn​ )

baldur lets out a cackle of glee. he can hardly believe that he is getting to do what he has always wanted to do: bring about the end of the world. his weapons were not the best, nor was his swordcraft, but he would go down swinging. he sidles up alongside ya-wen and gives her a cheeky grin as he brandishes his daggers.

“would you like some help?

starter for @embcrn @maledictiis @morbidhcart from CESUS

cesus watched the chaos from a crouch, twirling a small dagger in their hand as the humans and gods terrorized each other. they found use in the chaos itself, but found no explicit need to participate. why do as such when the humans themselves were making such delicious discord upon which for them to feed? no, they would be there to pick up the pieces.

“enjoying yourself?” they asked with a pointy-teethed grin.

elke sits and looks placidly out at the raging battle. it was of no surprise to them when cesus makes an appearance. after all, they were the one that gave elke their powers in the first place. now, they simply feel bored by the proceedings.

“no. but i do not enjoy myself much these days.” she looks at them, finally seeing the voice that has been taunting her for so long. “are you?”

elke did not like to think of what was to come. with the fight against the gods, they knew that the death of the one they’d come to value above their own life was coming. and this was something they could not stop.

“come to hear your fortune?” they ask wryly as the crouch next to a fire. “i warn you, it’s bleak.”

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍:  two days before leaving for the castle 𝐖𝐇𝐎:  @embcrn​  (antigone) 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄:  the safyan home

he’s perched in the entranceway of the home, a line of weapons layed out before him on an old cabinet as his hand hovers over each one with a rag. even if antigone did not wish to fight the gods, talon was preparing any object of violence for the pair of them to take to the castle and protect themselves with  -  gods or ferals.

focus doesn’t shift from the weapons as he hears her shuffle in, instead he picks up a a short axe to clean up the blade.  “where’s the dagger elektra gave you? i’ll clean it up.”

antigone was well into preparing for the journey back to the castle. the last time she’d been there, she and talon had just met, she and loras still felt bonded. her husband... was still her husband in her mind. how things have changed.

“oh, right,” she says turning to dig it out from a drawer across the room. “i don’t think it’s really worth saving. the metal’s all bent.” she sniffs, handing it to him. after she does, she lays against his back, nuzzling his neck. “should i not... get something bigger? i think i can handle it.”

          there’s a mixture of both shock but also peaked interest in otis’ features. most marriages he comes by aren’t that… open. it almost feels like a trap but when has he ever said no to some fun  ?  never.   “  did you sell your soul to some demon for this marriage  ?  “  there’s a tease to his tone, catching the hungry look he gets and finds himself returning it. he’s not shy with how dark hues trail over ember.  “  hmm, the more the merrier.  “

ember smiled slightly, then turned his gaze back to the ham he was preparing. “ah, no. but... someone we loved very dearly did die.” he pauses, trying to not make the mood too somber. “not for the marriage, of course. that’d be silly.” but the jovial air about him is gone as soon as he thinks of theo. “you know, this won’t get you better wages in the fights... not for a while at least.”

          “  wait… people have just wandered in here for an orphan  ?  “  brows scrunch together, though some amusement tugs at his lips thinking it’s merely a joke. seeing the orphan scurry away with a cookie brings a low chuckle to the fighter’s lips and he shakes his head. moving forward, otis braces both hands on the counter and tilts his head to the side.  “  is your wife open to you being bed by others ?  last time i didn’t check i got stabbed.  “

ember snickers and shakes his head, but pauses when he sees otis spread his hands wide on the kitchen counter. he looks up at otis’s face, ears and all. “the wife likes to join in,” he grins. “but she does let me play on my own, a little time off the leash. besides, she’s fairly pregnant right now and can’t do much.” he looks otis over again, hungrier this time. “she’ll like you, though.”

“Your holiness… That’s a new one.” His voice is low, smooth, pleased velvet as his eyes dance with mirth at that title, and her presence beside hiim. Perhaps he should be called holy, he thinks. Perhaps the doom isn’t just an unexpected reaction of biological chaos, but a miraculous occurrence meant to reveal true gods. And together, they could be such divine beings. He wouldn’t allow the doom to take advantage of anyone who sprouted fangs, were shunned from sunlight. Gone were his days of succumbing to monstrosity, instead, he wanted to create an environment where those inflicted with these capabilities could also feel hope. Nothing would stop in such a pursuit.

“Katri…. please, call me Lysander.” He eyes her, smiling slightly- though he conceals it by pressing his lips together and then gestures her to follow. “In the lead up to this battle- people are vulnerable. Thus, Katri, I would greatly commend you if you could… procure new recruits. Whether it’s biting, or turning people into blood fiends, or gathering enough willing donors to keep our supply at our base. Could you do that for me?”

katri pauses for a moment. “are... you not a priest?” she glances over him as she tries to discern whether she’s right or not. regardless, she is ready and willing to do his bidding, so she nods and curtseys to show her acceptance. “yes, of course. it should prove... incredibly easy.” she flashes her fangs at him.

“Careful, madam, once you live amongst our kind, you truly will enjoy it too much.” Lysander prefers to be caught offguard - on occasion. So many fear him, he’s used to thriving off of it like lifeblood. The meek, the careful. But he takes pride in spontaneity, his own glare of a gleam only sparking whenever promising prospects  presented themselves. Risked poor reception from the sanguini leader, faced the chance to be remembered, or discarded. 

He smirks to himself, however faint, as his eyes dare not drop her own. Smirk softens as he stifles a breathy laugh. She’s trouble, he knows this, and all he can do is note, “Then let’s make a deal…” He can’t help it, pressing her knuckles to his lips again for one more kiss before he lightly grazes his fangs against the back of her hand. Gently letting it drop. “But I must know your name, miss, if we’re to move forward.”

katri stepped back slightly and nodded her head in respect slightly. “i am called katrinka, your holiness. but those who have earned my favour call my katri.” she curtsies deep, looking up at him as she rises back to standing. “you may call me katri.” she hopes she’s endeared herself to him enough to allow her entrance into the sanguini. “what work do you have for me?”

She’s beautiful, like a painting that even the divines would pale in comparison. Perhaps he should commission her. But his eyes hold onto hers as long as she’ll stare back at his- for his eyes were hollow, losing soul and  humanity as months dragged onward. He grabs her hand as it flutters across his shoulder, his movement eerily quick, before he raises it and presses a kiss against her knuckles. “I’ve no doubt your… expertise, as you say, can be incredibly effective.” He quirks a brow, before tilting his head in consideration. “And if I asked you to drain the kingdom’s most… influential threats?  In exchange for a place within the Sanguini? You would want for nothing.”

her breath leaves her when he snatches her hand and she’s mesmerized by him. his power, his strength-- that’s exactly what she seeks. in a moment of sheer confidence and intrigue, she slowly unfurls her fingers and brings his hand to her lips, slipping a finger into her mouth. “i would like nothing more,” she says softly, looking at him with wide eyes as she sucks.

𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍:  a week before the group leave for the castle 𝐖𝐇𝐎:  @embcrn​  (katri) 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄  the smithy

          hidden behind the forge, the smith should have kept his focus on the blade in his hands, but instead the woman that entered his shop captured his attention.  petite, pretty, not the kind of woman he would get in his shop  -  often it was the rough and tumble soldiers and guards that fell into his shops, never a pretty woman.  that’s when his hand slips, the blade cutting the flesh of his palm and bringing his attention back down, a hiss passing his lips as he grabs at the first cloth he finds to wrap the wound.

          “bloody hell - !” he curses under his breath before rocking his head back and taking a deep breath, finally making his presence fully known  -  though the tall silent bloke in the back staring intently may have already given him away. “did you need somethin’?”

katri entered the smithy armed with the information her father had always told her to reduce being ripped off just because she was a woman. but the moment she laid eyes on the blacksmith, she knew that wouldn’t be an issue. she’d be surprised if she didn’t get the blade for free.

she smiles, politely ignoring his cut. “i’m in need of a blade. i presume you have some?”

⚜     “  i bring in a shit ton of bets, especially when the doomed are an opponent.  “  though most of those bets are against otis and some even bet he’ll die before round two. leaning a hip against the counter, thick arms crossed over a broad chest, otis eyes both the meat- and the other kind of meat. but admit to seeking out another because they caught his eyes amongst the crowds at a fight  ?  never.  “  and why would i come to see you  ? “

⚜       “  don’t threaten me with a good time, butcher.  “  dark hues turn to the meat grinder, no fear present within his face, merely mischief instead. stepping further inside, thick boots scuffing wooden flooring, a breath is huffed out akin to laughter.  “   how do you manage to sell anything with that charm  ?  and i would be able to afford steak but some man that runs the fighting doesn’t pay me enough.  “  a brow is raised, jab directed right to his company.

𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑: @embcrn ( ember ) 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: ember’s butcher shop 

⚜      otis enters the shop with curiosity painted on somewhat swollen features. he may be passing by from a fight but that’s neither here nor there. seeing the counter, the meat up for sale, the fighter lets out a low whistle.   “  when they said you slogged meat i thought that was an innuendo-  “ 

ember looks up from a leg of lamb he was butchering with a droll expression. “and i’m guessing you didn’t immediately think of how many of dear old dad’s dissenters go through this thing.” he taps the meat grinder behind him with his cleaver and a hollow sound rings out. ember wipes his hands on his apron. “come to buy some steak? don’t think you can afford it.”

𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑: @embcrn ( elke )

          the world seemed to tiptoe between destruction and survival as of late. but neither paid and thus elektra found her mind straying to other forms of entertainment. if it weren’t for a client wishing to gain knowledge without the risk of death, the mercenary would not be taking this journey. her mind pictures the rare jewels that will be hers upon her return. she may not be able to spend them if the divines cling to their need for devastation. but alas, she will looks as iridescent as a star while she dies. though her daydream of ruby encrusted earrings is halted upon dark hues falling upon the seer. now this one, this one ekanta does not despise for merely breathing. it does help that the other is quite welcome to keeping ekanta breathing and away from walechians.   ❝   little seer, care to join me in… borrowing some fine wine from those rich and stupid enough to join us on our adventure  ?  drinking alone is abysmal, but company  ?  now that can be turned into something quite fun.   ❞

A low, dark laugh erupts from the cult leader’s throat, crackles like winter- dry, cold, but retaining a lively bite. Though his brow bounces, head inclines and his eyes- flashing red as he is always hungry, always growing with that need for blood.The need to feed, unyielding as his own greed festers, as he gives into his blood magic tendencies. His stomach aches, turns into itself, and he flashes an impatient growl at an attendant who - lurking just steps behind them - hands him a flask. “You want for work, yes? Fortunately, miss, you’ve arrived at just the right place. But I’m afraid there are a few tests you must partake in, to prove you can keep up. What sort of cursed desires do you hold? Pray, tell…”

her eyes lit up at the mention of tests, as if her entire life had been spent waiting for this moment. she bats her eyes at him and looks up between long lashes. “i can ace every test you give me, sir, but i can already tell you where my expertise lies.” she walks around him, trailing a hand across his shoulders. “bringing men into my bed, sucking them dry, then taking them for every piece of gold they’re worth.” she smiles as she stands before him. “and women, too, but they, on a whole, bedmates i’d rather keep alive.”

“oh!  yes, yes, sure, i-” hild replies, turning from where she’d been pausing to look at some of the type joarr was teaching her about to face his daughter.  where her employer was calm and reserved, something about katri always made her feel on edge.  anxious.  she crosses the room to the other woman, standing on her tiptoes and grabbing the ink.  “here.  do you- do you want any help?”

katri takes the ink from hild roughly, her gaze narrowed. “no, i’ll be fine.” she tries to mask it with an icy smile, but she’s never had any fondness towards her father’s apprentice. she finds the shop... crowded now. as she applies ink to the press, she glances back at hild. “how are your studies, hild?”