feathered 𝖇𝖊𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 .

Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

after  ensuring  his  family  and  his  court  were  safe,  but  all  still  very  much  trapped  in  summer,  althoug  he  didn't  complain,  he  has  no  reason  to.  saint  took  a  quick  ride  along,  borrowing  one  of  the  mare's  early  in  the  morning  before  he's  returning  to  the  dawn  quarters,  the  voice  calling  out  pulling  him  from  his  thoughts  as  he  turns  to  the  source  of  the  voice.  "i  did  not  think  you'd  be  awake  so  early."  it  was  only  shortly  past  dawn,  but  then  again,  most  hardly  slept  much  at  all  since  the  past  few  weeks.  removing  his  riding  cloak,  he  walks  in  their  direction.

celeste had entered the dawn court apartments just a few moments after him. " i have been taking advantage of the cooler mornings and the clear skies to move my wings for a lap or two, since sleep does not seem to be our friend these days, " she explained, ripping her gaze away to her hands as she started pulling off the soft white glowes she kept on her hands, during such hobby flights, that kept protected her from the elements. " did you manage to clear your head or shall i help you with that ? " her gaze found his once again with the question, giving him the freedom to share his thoughts, feelings if he wished, an offer of company. it's not like either of them would find it easy to catch the extra few hours of sleep before breakfast after the adrenaline of having been outside either way.

"good,   i'm   sure   i'll   see   her   soon."   her   younger   sister   was   more   than   capable   of   caring   for   herself,   gaeul   just   wanted   to   know   that   all   of   her   siblings   were   okay.   aerin's   father   had   revealed   some   things   to   the   both   of   them   that   she   was   sure   there   was   a   conversation   to   come   soon   from   that.   "sure,   thank   you."   his   next   words   bring   a   relieved   smile   to   her   face.   she'd   begged   him   to   be   a   spy   for   her   from   nearly   the   moment   that   she   had   become   the   high   lady.   him   approaching   her   with   the   wish   to   help   was   something   far   better   than   her   getting   him   to   reluctantly   help   from   begging   him   to   use   the   abilities   that   he   was   blessed   with.   "i   would   be   more   than   happy   to   have   your   help   korain."   none   of   the   courts   specifically   were   her   target,   rather   that   like   the   other   high   liege's   she   was   willing   to   put   aside   differences   and   work   together   towards   dealing   with   the   king.   but   she   did   have   the   idea   that   maybe   one   of   the   many   fae   that   had   been   roped   into   working   for   the   king   could   know   where   he   had   run   off   to.   "i   am   aware   that   you   are   not   fond   of   using   your   abilities   in   this   way,   but   yes   the   autumn   court   will   be   better   off   with   your   assistance."   she   paused.   "xavier   and   aerin's   father   both   had   been   pulled   in   by   the   king.   threatened   to   do   dirty   work   for   him.   there's   a   large   chance   that   he   pulled   fae   in   from   all   courts   to   aide   in   whatever   he   was   trying   to   get   up   to.   perhaps   one   of   them   knows   where   the   king   has   run   off   to."   she's   not   prepared   to   offer   him   a   position   in   her   inner   circle   at   the   very   moment.   however   if   he   can   prove   himself   to   actually   be   capable   she   would   find   a   spot   for   him.

korain poured her a new glass of water from the carafe that he kept on filling up throughout the day. this was definitely a new adjustment to staying at this court, keeping himself hydrated enough, especially when working out still took quite a big part of his day. he offered his sister the glass and joined to site, opposite of her. he watched gaeul reveal the reaction of his speech and was content that it was a positive one. some part of him had wondered if she would want to turn him down or make him pay for having turned her down so many times, it was in their autumn court nature to hold grudges and scheme, so her words were pleasant to hear. it gave him even more confidence that it was the right thing to do, even though this decision was not an easy one to make. he had resisted it for such a long time and for enough reasons, after all, but sitting and watching from the sidelines was getting tiring, when he felt that there was so much he could achieve. " i will do it for the right reasons. if it can help us, autumn court or any stuck here, that's enough reason for me to cross boundaries. we can't keep on being this defenseless against everything, especially when you are lacking a spymaster as well, " korain added, pointing directly to the position he was aiming for. he did not have a web of spies, but he would see to it if gaeul agreed to him officially taking a position in her inner circle. " if they did not know, what makes you think anyone else might ? you suspect he might have confided in someone ? it seems unlikely. "

"yes, though my reasons have little to do with my court per se - it's who, i and my eldest brother are missing." he's certain that ced is considering the idea of sending for his children, and in truth, declan wanted that to occur rather quickly. how good of an idea that is was debatable but in the end, the younger day lord believes they were better off closer to them than away. he sets his drink for a moment, shifting his gaze from the view to the night lord, "it's my nieces and nephews, they've not been away from their family, particular their father nor their favorite uncle , if i do so say myself, " a cheeky grin appearing before he continues, "if we're to be here for some time i'd like them here with us." declan speaks precisely as a proud uncle of the little ones, and he knows they'd enjoy themselves here. "i invite you to come visit day for a time, when all this is over. as for the mermaids, we will join them without a doubt. i intend to swim in every bit of water we find here, sea or pools." he's considering the other's words, of what being outside of night meant to eldar. familiar enough of his friend that being in his home didn't offer him all the freedom being outside of it does. the day lord also suspected it has more to do with that fact that the other feels he never fits in fully. dec knew that he was one of the rare exceptions in a high family, not aster by blood which excludes him from ever being the one responsible for his court, his father had always given them all sorts of freedom. perhaps it was why he felt no deep desire to be away from his home for long. "we'll have more than a few days in this court. i agree in regards to your words about being in this court, there's no sense of urgency here i suppose." he cant speak for the other seasonal courts as he's never been, but life here did not seem to move at a quicker pace. he'd also relatively say that of his own court. "what else is there to do while we remain captive? we do what we can for our families, while making the best of our circumstances. perhaps this will be our last stop, if our high rulers find a way to end this once for all."

" it's understandable for family to stick together. " eldar could consider himself lucky that his whole family was here, for him, the only thing that he did miss was a place and all the people who lived there and the atmosphere, but ironically, when he had the freedom to go where he wished, he spent little time home. it was the freedom that he could go there when he wanted that seemed so precious to him. " it is a shame to be apart, i'd assume they're not happy about it either. and who even knows how long this whole thing will go on ? " the night lord wondered out loud. though he rarely thought of children since neither him, nor his siblings had any children, he assumed it would be a different kind of pain to be away from the children in their family and miss some parts in their life and childhood. " oh, you'll regret inviting me because i will definitely take you up on that invitation. what do you reckon is the best thing of your court ? " eldar smirked and took a sip of his drink. day was one of the courts that he was not very familiar with, though he had been there a lot times passing through. " every bit ? what about the fountains ? " there was a challenging grin on his face, having found, perhaps an exception to declan's statement. " let's hope so, " he agreed, lying to the other and himself as well, for the day. in truth, there would be a day and perhaps another day, and perhaps a few days or more than that until the king made his appearance once again. he had not confided in declan about his inner stresses, but it was only because he needed this one day. " you know, it's just that i've always known i could do or offer more for my court but i've always chosen not to, for my own reasons. i'm just wondering if now's the time when i do not get to have that choice anymore. "

there  were  far  too  many  days  that  saint  envies  the  confidence  the  commander  has.  it  was  not  that  the  high  lord  of  dawn  lacked  any,  as  he  simply  could  not  in  his  role  or  allow  an  outsider  believe  otherwise.  yet,  after  all  the  events,  and  his  own  actions  that  have  led  him  in  his  current  position,  it  was  difficult  to  overreach  no  matter  how  he  wished  he  could.  or  simply,  some  moments  he's  afraid  his  arrogance  would  steer  him  wrong.  cautious  and  careful  kept  the  high  lord  of  dawn  in  line,  and  with  their  current  predicament,  perhaps  a  possibility  of  their  extinction  looming  over  them,  saint  could  not  afford  a  slip  up.  "nor  i.  i  had  hoped  we'd  all  be  returned  to  our  respective  courts."  truly,  saint  almost  expected,  feared,  another  hauling  to  an  unknown  location.  "nonetheless,  it's  a  relief  to  be  returned  to  prythian."  the  lord  suspect  they  would  not  be  returning  home  anytime  soon,  or  at  least  not  with  their  own  court.  there's  faint  lighthearted  smile  curving  his  lips  at  celeste's  remark  of  him,  one  always  appreciated  from  her.  "now,  more  than  ever  i  cannot  be  anything  else  other  than  in  one  piece."  one  of  many  reasons  he's  careful.  his  peers  about  them  before  catching  sight  of  the  adriata  palace  not  too  far  ahead  from  the  shores  they  stood  by.  "let  us  make  our  way  there  and  then  we  reconvene  with  the  others  and  see  what's  to  be  done."

it would be the greatest compliment for celeste if she came to discover that her high lord envied her at times, but it was only the fruits of her own energy, used up for forging the appearance of the commander that she wanted to be. saint could only see this one part of her that she showed to the world, and she had no doubt that he would not hold the same opinions of her and feel the same way about her if more was exposed. it was very likely she wouldn't be keeping a position in his court. at times she wondered if keeping her high lord at arm's length would end up with the same unlikeable result, seeing how close he was with others, so maybe it was just her being paranoid. " somehow one of the most predictable things happened, perhaps, that should give us an idea of what is about to happen next, " celeste added, wondering what could be the next predictable thing. she did not like to hope though. she was glad to have said something that at least lightened up his mood, though it was never easy for her to come up with any flattery. " i have heard this court to be very relaxing, perhaps you might find some moment of peace here to regain your strength. " she could not think of better place to regain hers than their court though. " that sounds like a plan. "

carden  rolls  his  eyes,  dramatically  at  that,  ❝  it's  just  a  coat,  celeste.  ❞  but  he  doesn't  really  push  more  than  that,  her  dignity  is  likely  far  more  important  than  the  desire  not  to  overheat.  carden  sighs,  and  continues  to  ensure  his  wings  move  to  create  a  slight  breeze  about  them.  nobody  needed  an  overheated  and  angry  dawn  commander.  he  huffs  a  laugh  at  the  next  demand  from  the  other,  but  does  not  obey  in  truth.  he  does  glance  about,  but  his  eyes  land  right  back  on  the  bright  haired  fae  full  of  anger  before  him.  ❝  so  shall  i  leave  you  as  well  and  take  the  breeze  with  me  ?  ❞  questions  he,  cocky,  playful  and  ever  the  tease  despite  the  displeasure  of  their  situation.  carden  is  just  better  at  pretending,  at  remaining  surface  level.  most  thought  it  was  due  to  an  inability  to  be  anything  but.  he  wondered  if  celeste  was  beginning  to  figure  out  that  wasn't  so  true.  and  in  his  refusal  to  obey  her  ?  to  look  away  and  anywhere  but  the  commander  ?  carden  was  well  aware  of  her  lingering  gaze  on  his  own  frame,  shirt  unbuttoned  to  allow  more  of  a  breeze  onto  his  sweat  glistening  skin.  gods,  he  wished  he  could  have  been  dropped  here  in  his  sleep  wear  and  not  what  he'd  dressed  in  for  the  day.  a  laugh  huffs  when  celeste  looks  away,  but  carden  doesn't  say  a  word  –  he  behaves.  for  now.  and  then  she  asks  something  he  knew  she  wouldn't  be  able  to  stop  herself  from  doing.  as  much  as  celeste  tried  to  pretend  she  didn't  care  for  carden,  that  she  wanted  nothing  to  do  with  him  –  she  seemed  incapable  of  not  digging  into  the  deeper  parts  of  himself  he  hid  away.  he  also  seemed  incapable  of  brushing  off  her  questions.  did  he  desire  for  her  to  see  deeper  ?  or  was  he  just  interested  in  throwing  her  off  with  honesty  ?  there  was  no  telling.  ❝  winter.  ❞  he  says  so  softly  it's  almost  like  the  breeze  from  his  winds  than  his  actual  voice.  his  lips  part  to  ask  if  she  needs  help,  but  carden  stops,  she'd  say  no  anyway.

celeste had not exactly been ready for travel when it had all happened and her coat had already told as much, but she had wanted to hide the fact that she was not exactly in her everyday wear underneath it. " does it not occur to you that perhaps not everyone is comfortable with so much exposure ? " it wasn't just her own preference of modest wear, undressing for her in general felt intimate, but she assumed that he was probably used to seeing such thing. the heat was winning over her spite though, as she let out a whimper and finally managed to unfasten the buttons of her coat. it was just a coat for him, but for her it was her comfort zone, the protection of her image. she got herself out of the piece of clothing and held it over her arm, pressing her eyes closed for a second, to cherish the cooler feeling and the breeze, making her slip dress cling to her skin, the breeze that was probably coming from carden himself. she opened her eyes only at the question, they settled right on the other peregryn's hues, like magnets they were pulled to them. " no, " she responded before she could think and then blinked. gods, she shouldn't have been that direct. " you're good at doing that. " her forced explanation was making none of it better for her, instead, she had actually complimented him, and her eyes, they had once again betrayed her and dropped to his body, and just when she had wanted to look up at his eyes, they had found his lips instead, and she was still overheating, despite the absence of the coat. she was flustered in his close proximity, and he was still watching her too, despite her request. she was so screwed. carden's answer allowed her a second of rest as she took a deep breath to focus on what they were even talking about and not the scent of him mixed with the salty sea and not the glowy bright skin, appearing to look so soft, that her fingers wanted to see for themselves. she took a quick breath and swallowed. " i've never been. tell me what it's like. " it was more of a question than a request, but celeste has been so used to commanding that she's not used to simply asking someone to share something if they wished. perhaps, carden did not wish to share anything about a court he disliked the most, that would be understandable as well, but the white winged fae had a feeling there was a reason he had revealed that to her in the first place, she had yet to find out what it was.