/ flameborn *

"Right, yelling random items in public is exactly my idea of a good time," Zeke spat, his words dripping with sarcasm once more. "I was just trying to return something that looked misplaced, but since you've made it abundantly clear it's not yours a simple 'it's not mine' would have sufficed from the beginning, rather than the attitude." He shook his head, his lips pressed in a hard line. "I don't know what your problem is, or why a basic act of kindness annoys you so much. But consider this a lesson learned. I won't bother extending any courtesy your way again."

samira might feel bad about this come later. she didn't normally enjoy annoying people, but this human made it so endlessly easy. could she be blamed for picking low hanging fruit ? perhaps. she could only imagine her mother's face if the elder witnessed this moment. even still, the healer didn't really believe she planned to behave.

a small laugh slips from her lips, " i can't presume to know what you consider a good time. " it was true enough, but they both knew by now that samira didn't say it simply for the sake of candor. her head tilts a bit, letting each word sink in as if she's really marinating on them. " it's not mine. " her eyes twinkle dangerously, and samira once again has the thought that she should behave more. this was the danger of her otherwise calm personality. little mischievous stunts likely went too far with another as victim. " you didn't annoy me. " she was just bored. " but for such a handsome face, you are quite easily irritated. "

She tapped a star like he showed her, lighting up as the name appeared. She chuckled in amazement, "Back on Earth, we just looked up at the actual stars and tried to imagine what they were called. This is so much easier." Needing a distraction from thoughts of war and loss, Mahi eagerly viewed constellations she'd never seen before, imagining the stories behind them. Meeting the man's gaze again, she said warmly, “Thank you for showing me this.” Knowing it was time to introduce herself, she extended her right hand while holding the contraption with the left one. “I’m Mahira Khanna. Mahi for short. It’s nice to meet you."

zafar watched the human far more than the object. he'd seen them hundreds, if not millions, of times. watching the wonder in the woman's eyes was far more captivating than the stars held on the screen. " i'm not sure i would do well in a world with little magic. " he murmurs softly, grateful she'd not found his remark of their home world being boring insulting in any way. " you can have it, you know. " she loved it so much, he hoped she'd take it.

he tilts his head, imaging how difficult that would have been. " that does not sound as exciting. " most of earth did not sound exciting, but he was trying to be polite in regards to the humans' earth. he'd be quite upset if they spoke poorly of nagasphere, especially solastria. when their gazes met once more, he simply grinned. " it was no problem. " it was easy to do, and her amazement made the prince grateful that he stopped. " my name is zafar. " he offers, and then realizes that there truly was no point in not adding the rest of his name. " avci, zafar avci. "

Smiling softly, she shook her head. "As long as your home hasn't turned into a complete jungle, I guess I can't complain." Then, with a teasing glint, she'd added, "You didn't take anything from me. It was time for a change. Being a Governess? Absolutely refreshing. Kids keep things lively and I feel younger now."

When Samira hinted at the mocha torte, her full lips curved up further. "Of course, there's a mocha torte. I’m your mother, I know what you like." She winked. "I made it at my place because Amanda wanted to learn how to make them. She set up the fire alarm, but that situation was handled swiftly." Her eyes twinkled with amusement. "You’ll forgive me if some of them are a little charred, right?”

samira knew plenty others who thought her relationship with her mother odd. they were so close, despite how many her age or even younger distanced themselves from their parents. samira did the opposite, continually desiring her mother's company and happy to have it. they shared a special bond, and samira would have no changes to it.

samira plucks a dead leaf off one of her plants in question before smiling. " what if i like a complete jungle. " she replies with a smirk. there was enough space to move around and to sleep, that was all she needed. samira's office was far more spacious than her home. " i think you are amazing at it, after all, you raised me. " and she turned out quite well, in her humble opinion.

laughter tumbled from samira's lips, and she grinned widely. " only double checking. " she insists, unsurprised at all that her mother had made the chocolatey goodness. it'd only been her favorite for decades. a gentle head shake comes from her head, smile endearing. " i can forgive the adorable one you are charged with, yes. " besides, even a little char was still delicious chocolate.

He expelled a shaky breath as Lunara's lips met his in a desperate kiss. For a blissful moment, he allowed himself to get lost in her—the feeling of her in his arms, the sweet taste of her lips, the rapid pounding of his heart. He had resisted his feelings for so long out of obligation and duty. But now, with her clinging to him, he could not summon the willpower to pull away.

Finally they broke apart, he had no doubt his cheeks were flushed while he tried to get himself together. Thomas gazed down at her bright eyes and rosy cheeks, thinking how beautiful she looked in that moment. He knew then, without a doubt, that he was hopelessly in love with this clever, infuriating woman. Propriety be damned—his heart had made its choice. The question was, would he be able to take the plunge? For now, he chose to push the topic aside. With a lazy smile, he murmured, "Have many men made you feel this… frustrated?"

"Well now, you've certainly taken me by surprise," Thomas said, still a bit breathless but trying for a light, teasing tone. He gently traced his fingers down her cheek. "I should have you arrested for accosting a duke in such a manner. Yet, I find myself hoping you might accost me again."

the kiss didn't mean anything substantial. this wasn't one of her books where one kiss fixed everything wrong and suddenly they rode off into the sunset. one kiss didn't change how his mother despised her or how easily he'd thrown her away. how easily she'd run at the first sign of heartbreak. in the end, none of them fought for the relationship to continue. one kiss didn't fix that.

it also didn't matter how the moment their lips met, the entire world faded. how she forgot where they were and didn't care either. how being with him in that instance felt like the first time she was breathing in quite some time. lunara hadn't even realized that she felt this way, hadn't realized how much she missed him because she'd pushed and buried every single emotion.

luna's breath was heavy even if she was trying to control it. while her mind raced, her heart sprinted. it clung to the infuriating duke even if he'd hurt it. it was a dangerous path they were setting on and she was too afraid to think about where it could go. those thoughts were dark, terrifying, and pulled her out of the blissful feelings their kiss had left. the roll of her eyes is dramatic, intentionally so. the internal debate between setting off his anger and giving an honest answer was quick, only decided because the medium of both seemed more fun. " only one at this moment. " she lets her insinuation lay very clearly.

" i suppose that's payback for running across my path. " she shrugs, as if that made any sense. luna chooses not to bite about the comment of being arrested, but bristled a bit at it in general. " in public ? i think we'd both be arrested for that. "

Hearing her sister’s playful retort, she chuckled. "You could try your playful twists with me, and we both know it's all in good fun." She'd glanced down appreciatively at their dresses. "But we'd best not risk these outfits. They were too stunning for any mishap."

Raising an eyebrow, Laila had nudged Lunara slightly, "Met anyone who piqued your interest? Or was it just light-hearted chats?" She smirked, "No sparks flying then? How disappointing…" She peered down at her hands for a moment before a confession came. “I might have come across an intriguing human earlier. He’s…different.”

everything in the palace was beautiful, even more so now. luna didn't visit very often, but she might make a point to be the one to come when the libraries had trades or business to deal in. " i am here, aren't i ? " she questions, no book in sight even if they do exist on her mind. " i've heard enough tale of how outlandish the family can be, but i suppose all royals can somehow. " they could certainly afford it.

luna visibly weighed the choice of ruining their dresses or not. in the end, she smirked, because she was rather fond of this one. a human told her it reminded them of a princess in one of their fairy tales. top notch compliment. " they are too beautiful to ruin. and you have plenty of faces to flirt with, a wine stain would ruin that. "

lunara shakes her head, keeping a smile atop her lips. " just fun chats. " she leaves it at that, rolling her eyes at the further comments from laila. " i think i've had enough sparks for some time. " and she meant it. luna still had a lot to heal from before she even considered sparks with someone new. but her mind snaps from that, as does her gaze when her sister speaks again. " oh ? i'm begging you to tell me everything. "

When he hears the name that has him enthralled earlier, he stares at the woman he’s talking to. “Laila, how do you know her?" He notices how rude he must sound so he rights his question. “My apologies, I crossed paths with a Laila earlier and she has charmed me. Are we speaking of the same person?” 

luna giggles a bit, " not as excited as i will be to listen to you. " she eagerly did so when someone was so excited, especially over her favorite topics. but luna also truly enjoyed listening to anyone gush over their passions. she could tell that listening to the human king would be enjoyable. " it happens quite often here, but i think all of you can help remind us what we've grown too used to seeing. " admits she honestly.

luna's eyes sparkle with mischief when the king recognizes her sister's name. could this be the human she'd run across ? his reaction certainly was interesting. " she is my sister. " explains the librarian. " well , charming ? i'm not so sure. was she captivatingly beautiful ? " playfulness laces her tone , luna knows exactly what she's doing.

lunara tilts her head a bit, allowing the change of subject this time. and mostly only because it is a subject she also enjoys. " and you've only scratched the surface. " she says with a small laugh. " some might say i'm overselling it, but the library was my first love and my longest. "

"And you're absolutely right, I should never pass up a chance to expand my horizons," he responds with a hearty chortle." I'm sure I have much to learn from you and the books in the Frostaria library." A touch of inquisitiveness enters his tone as he asks, "Do you work at the library yourself?" The thought crosses his mind that, if she does, she'd undoubtedly be a wealth of information. "Either way, I'll be certain to seek you out when I visit. I'll be grateful for your recommendations."

" and then you must report back to me on what you find. " she adds with the ever present warm grin on her lips. luna is eager to hear the fascination humans find in a realm that she thinks can be overlooked by those that inhabit it. " while i should easily be found within the library, if you cannot find me there, search out for one called laila. she always knows my hiding spots. " her tone is gleeful when regarding her sister. lunara spent most hours in the library, but when she was not required to work she would hide within the palace with a book and a beautiful view. even still, none were ever too hidden from her sister.

" i think you will find no shortage of avenues to do that here in nagasphere. " surely everything was new to the humans, so it would be quite an easy task for the english king. " and we are happy to do so. " she thought of the books fondly, eager for tomorrow when she might return to them all. " ah, yes, i am a librarian. i grew up loving the library and thought it a natural transition to work in one. " she says easily. it was centuries ago, but feels like yesterday. " i look forward to your visit, orion. "

The gentle sway of her sister to the music wasn't lost on Laila. "Oh, I see how it is. Tempting me to dance and then suggesting you might just watch? I think not" She feigned indignation, lips quirking up in a teasing smile. "But I'll take your word on the dipping part. With this precious wine in hand, it'd be a tragedy to spill even a drop." Her attention flickered to the dance floor for a moment before a question arose. “Have you met anyone of interest tonight?”

a laugh slips from her lips at her sister's request. " i shall consider it. " but she could not wait to get outside, to sit amongst the astronomers and enjoy one of her very favorite passions. lunara may have chosen to become a librarian, but the stars would always hold a very dear place in her heart. " i had no doubts when it was an avci party we were attending. " she says with a small smirk.

a playful gasp slips from luna, " i would never twist you about in such a way. " she would, playfully manipulating her sister because they both knew when she was doing it. luna didn't find it malicious, and she didn't think laila did either. " i think it would be quite the crime to ruin such a beautiful dress as well. " she adds, finding her sister's beauty to be superior always. luna's nose wrinkles, and she uses her free hand to brush back some of her stray hair. " if you mean fun to talk to, yes. if you mean fun to flirt with, no. you know i have no intentions of that anytime soon. " she says lightly, even if her heart clenches at the thought.

"Fairly certain I don't care which one of us was born first. You're still mimicking my powers, old man," she retorted, refusing to indulge his teasing. When he winked, she made a sound of disgust. "Ugh, no thanks. I'd rather not have that image seared into my brain." God, like she needed that mental image in her mind…

Feeling defeated, Sarai sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation. "Look, neither of us want to be here trading barbs. Can we just agree to ignore each other and share the space? I don't have the patience for your games today."

" because copying insinuates someone else did it first. it seems you desired to come into our world around the same time as me, not the other way around. " as if they had any control over that, but connor was proving a point. his brow cocks, wondering how far she'd go on this little path of hers. it was clearly a poor choice, weak in terms of the things she could accuse him of. connor would continue until they reached the end of it, enjoying himself far too much to hope that was soon.

another chuckle falls from his lips, " that insult has no ground here where people are centuries old. careful, or you might insult someone else, princess. " he counters. his cocky smile remains, and connor eyes her carefully. " are you sure ? it's quite the sight. " he hopes she's picturing it, her face is far too amusing to be anything else.

" speak for yourself, princess, this is the most fun i've had since coming to this place. " not that home was any better, flying planes for his country a terrifying thing that connor tried to block out.

But choices were a luxury he couldn’t afford. Because of it, he was at an unyielding deadlock. "You're right, Lunara. No one in the nobility is the same. And as for my mother, she would rejoice in a union that secures our lineage. But passion? That's a force beyond her control. How would you know I wouldn’t find a Duchess who wouldn’t light a fire inside of me?" He honestly didn't think that was possible, but she didn’t have to know that.

Standing before her now, all his logical reasoning began to unravel. He was well aware that he should not be baiting her, should not be pushing her boundaries. Yet, the need to draw a reaction from her, to prove to himself that she was affected by him, was overwhelming. But the irony was, Lunara was the one successfully ruffling his feathers—making his heart race with every challenging retort she threw his way. The jig was up as soon as she kissed him. As her fingers traced the contours of his face and their lips met, Thomas lost himself completely. The world outside ceased to exist, and all that remained was the electrifying sensation of her lips against his. It was a desperate kiss, filled with unspoken emotions and pent-up longing.

lunara had been gifted with a gracefulness she was certain was only due to her zodiac. but that grace did not require her to reign in her raging emotions, and when certain people were near she found it was impossible to control them. the storm inside of her swelled its highest in thomas's presence. something about his world, the realm of nobility and his views on it drove her mad. but her heart didn't care for any of that and fell anyway, now it struggled to accept what she knew. that nothing between them would work, that anything would only end in pain and further heartbreak unlike anything she'd experienced before. but did not mean that her other emotions didn't come out in tenfolds around him. it was maddening, the power that the duke held over the librarian.

it was equally as frustrating to see him act as if she were the only one hurt. as if he had made his choice because he had not a care in the world for her when they were together. a humorless laugh slips from her lips. " because passion is something i do not think you will be granted with twice, my dear duke. " the dark comment something that she felt true towards herself as well, though for different reasons. luna didn't want to try again with anyone and be burned by it all over again.

kissing him had been the last thing on her mind, all until his lips had been so close. luna's delicate control snapped, and she cursed herself inwardly for doing what she just knew he would berate her for. but then the duke kisses her back, and luna finds she is soon lost in the passion they were certainly never lacking in. fire consumed her very being, as if they were in the pits of elderglow rather than the halls of a palace. she poured every emotion out into the kiss, the pain, heartbreak that had kept her crying for months, and the frustration of him seeming as if he had not felt the same crush. desperation clung to the pair of them, and the only thing that caused her to separate her lips from his was the sound of a door closing far down the hall. lunara's hand doesn't move from his face, even as her gaze trails down. " you are the most frustrating man i have ever spoken to. " she accuses, but her tone is light, because in truth, lunara has no idea where they go from here.

"I promise I won't steal your blankets again without warning," she promises solemnly, though her lips twitch. Then she grins impishly up at her brother. "But I can't make any promises about not pushing you into the lava. Only kidding!" she adds hastily at Connor's look.

Laughing, she grabs his hand and starts pulling him towards the door. "Come on slowpoke, let's go already! I want to see the lava pools at Elderglow before it gets dark." She's vibrating with infectious enthusiasm now. "We're going to have so much fun together!" Camryn declares happily, leading the way out to the park, all thoughts of boredom forgotten.

a chuckle falls from the lord's lips at his sister's excitement, worth the delayed response on his end. his arms cord around her back to hug her, still vibrating with laughter when she bounces off. " yell that louder around our siblings next time. " he states.

his eyes cut towards her again, narrowing slightly. " again ? " well, at least now he knew the culprit of the last infraction. he thought it'd been one of his siblings, should have known it was cam. a groan works its way out of his lips, but it's too late to take back his agreement to go. " just remember i'm your favorite, and i cannot survive lava. " he counters.

connor lets camryn pull him off, no protest on his end. " they could look better after dark, you know. " he wondered if they glowed. that would be a worthwhile sight, even if he was certain it was going to be miserably hot. his sister's excitement is infectious, though, and he's glad to see her smile so much. " yeah, yeah, sure. " he teases, even if he's already smiling.

he worried more after the ball, when strange and unexplainable things happened and some threw blame towards the humans. making the choice to come here had not been easy for the king, and the scrutiny they faced only made it more questionable. " i think the adjustment period for us all is going to be some time. " for flameborn to trust humans, for humans to trust them in return. " i'm certain it's even more daunting in your youth. " francesca's powers were fairly weak, and according to flameborn that was normal for a child. he wasn't sure if it would be easier to grow up learning a power, or to be an adult grasping the full brunt of it. enzo resists the urge to state that not all flameborn were happy to help, that was not what this conversation was about. " thank you, i appreciate it greatly. " he says instead.