Winter's Second

the commander lifts a stark eyebrow as liv slumps into his lap, weaving herself around him like a snake in a pomegranate tree, a dangerous feline toying with her prey. the smell of alcohol on her breath, the unfocused gaze — it had worked on lasher as a young man, before he'd built a bastion around his heart, before he'd pulled away from the precipace of a first love with singe-marks on his palms.

Fuck, he's hot. She can feel his muscles as he lifts her and it just makes her want him more. Pouting as he sets her down, Liv wraps a strand of her own hair around one finger. "You're no fun anymore." Of course, she is lying. She never didn't have fun with him, even when he worked her to the bone. But with all that is going on now, she needs all the companionship and sex she can get. "And they're not tricks. I'm hardly subtle about them. I mean, I try to be pretty clear about what I want."

— closed starter for aliviana spencer ( @icewitch21 ) / 𝚊𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 — scene: dimly lit tavern, nearing midnight.

Her aching body protests as she drags herself into the bar. Liv hurts in all the best ways, but it doesn't make moving in this state any easier. Already swinging a bottle of bourbon by her side, she gives a sloppy salute to the barman, along with a sultry, half-lazy smirk. Looking around, her eyes land on Commander Lasher and her mouth goes dry. She couldn't say when the exact moment was, or what exact day he had caught her eye, but she couldn't have waited any longer to approach him if she tried. And when she'd seen him fight for the first time... well, let's just say she almost jumped him right there. Liv wasn't much of a beggar, but she'd even considered begging mercilessly on her knees to see the way he moved in the sheets.

☆ﾟ*·ﾟLUC'S EYES FOLLOWED hers, watching as she stared at him. Those nights with her were once a memory, ones that were comforting, like second nature, allowing him to relish in feeling needed. He'd found himself captivated by her sultry words and that damned red hair. But here, Luc stood, confused. He wanted to play with her, wanted to familiarize himself with that feeling again, because it was safe. But his heart lied somewhere else. Could he just take the moment and enjoy it for now, allowing whatever foolish feeling he had for someone elses to ebe guided by this moment? Luc hoped so, because whiskey always tended to help, whether he wanted it to or not. "Grab the whiskey, and use that beautiful red hair of yours to guide me away from here before I change my mind."

Change his mind? Hmph. Was she starting to lose her allure? Or had he gotten caught up in some of that...love stuff? She wrinkled her nose, but leaned forward–into him–so that her breasts rubbed against his chest. If he looked down now–which she hoped he was– he'd see them in all their glory. Smirking, she grabs the bottle and stands up straight, pausing with her hair right below his nose for juuuussssttt a moment.

The spymaster balked at the winter fae's sternness. Luna was used to having more power than she probably should have, so seeing someone stand up to her rudeness was unexpected.

Right. Surely Luna didn't think her that out of touch. She knew just who Luna was and there was no way she was submitting that easily. Liv resigned to keep an eye on her.

"I...I don't know," he whispered as his eyes darted around the room. "I thought that this was over with, now that we all have our memories, I thought that this was done," He felt the tightness in his chest again. What was he going to do? What could he do? His hand pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried to focus on something other than the tightness in his chest. He wanted to hug Liv, to feel her warmth, to calm his nerves. He shook his head slightly, that was selfish of him. How many others were feeling the same way he was. How many other didn't have someone to rely on. His eyes met hers and searched them.

She could feel it radiating from him, the need for her closeness. For her to take him in her arms and keep him safe, as she has her whole life. Resting her hands firmly on his shoulders, she made him meet her eyes. "It's okay. No one knows what's happening right now. Please, just...take a breath. I've got you. But you can't fall apart. Not now, and not in front of all these people." Looking around, she tried to find a means of escape. Seeing as everyone was otherwise occupied with their own investigations, she felt it safe for them to take a little walk.

Régulo almost had the nerve to blush. He shook her hand lightly. Oh mother, this was the worst time to stumble.

His strength was impressive, but she just smirked as he held hers in a death grip. She narrowed her eyes, unsure if the stumbling, shy guy in front of her could actually have done what she'd heard he had. Cocking an eyebrow, she dropped her own hand, placing it on her hip and smiling a sweet, seductive smile. "Oh? What was an accident, exactly?"

☆ﾟ*·ﾟLUC'S EYES DRIFTED up to her eyes, the eyes that once pulled him in so deep. Even to this day, there was something about her that kept him close, wanting to know more and more about the world. Even though now, he felt his heart confused, by feelings for someone else, he still felt comforted by Liv's presence. Perhaps it was that it was familiar, safe, and weirdly comforting. He could sit there, curl up with her, play with that bright red hair, and pour his heart out. But the thing is, Luc couldn't tell you why he trusted Liv. "Is that right? Does it include some faerie wine and some comfy pillows?" Maybe getting out of here, away from being able to spot him across the room might help. Him, the one who'd somehow managed to climb his way into his heart and confused the ever loving fae out of him.

When their eyes met, she could feel the pull that always brought her back to him. That intense gaze, those strong arms, and that absolutely incredible... well, she'd get to that part later.

Luna had not thought any more in her strategy. It was strange not being ten steps a head as she usually was.

Liv sipped her drink, raising an eyebrow at Luna. She wasn't very familiar with the spymaster, but she knew of her. This was no surprise, but still it got under Liv's skin. How was this female going to stand there and just order her around. "Listen, Luna. I understand your frustration, but this is my court. My home. Mine. I will not have you giving me demands in my own home. Now, I am perfectly happy to share information, but that goes both ways. " She took another sip. "And, you will show me more respect."

☆ﾟ*·ﾟCHORTLING, LUC SHOOK his head as he looked around at the other fae trying to figure out where the voice had come from, or what it meant. But the spymaster didn't really think it was that big of a deal. But maybe that had to do with the fact that he was just a bit drunk on faerie wine. It let him deal with the stupid thoughts in his head, or the fact that he knew his high ruler would be asking to see if he could find anything. Luc hadn't wanted to scry tonight, in fact, he had strictly told himself he wouldn't. It was a party and he wanted to keep it that way. But when he'd told other fae from his court, it was more of a don't ask me to find out who's getting drunk tonight kind of comment. Hearing someone's voice behind him, Luc turned around. "Actually, I said no. I'm not doing it. I'm not. You better be standing here with another request that involves something much more fun."

With a smirk, Liv chuckled, flipping her long, orange hair over her shoulder. "Oh, don't worry. I have plenty of fun in mind for us." The sultry words landed on him just as expected, and Liv took a few more steps, her mask still in place over her face, and slipped a finger into the waist of his pants. "Buuuutttt if you're really not interested." Her voice was teasing. She knew he hadn't been talking to her, of course. In fact, if she had to guess, his High Lord had already been by to ask for his help. Luckily, she was here to soothe him now.

Régulo flinched back from the Lady of Winter's question. The rumors that Régulo had committed that henious crime were false, yet were also spread by him. It was a small price to protect his older siblings from whatever criticism they come across.

Liv had always had her suspicions about the family, but knowing what she'd known about Regulo, she got the feeling things weren't quite what they seemed to the rest of the world. And she was nothing if not interested in secrets. Reaching out a hand to him, she smile sweetly. "Well, something like that. But, well, it's quite attractive honestly. You got the whole 'bad boy' thing going for you and all, you know?" Liv smirks, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth as she studies him.

Who: for @courtlights @flreclouds @chokedxsilence @icewitch21 When: during and after the voice

Her eyebrows rose as her hands found their places comfortably on her hips. Liv looked around pointedly before looking back at Luna. "Hey, relax. Clearly no one knows what's going on. Let's not point figures yet when literally no one knows what's going on at this point." Though her words were calm and, hopefully soothing, her mind race with the possibilities. Liv's eyes scanned the area Luna had pointed, taking in the faces and comparing them to her memory as to who was trustworthy or not. The only problem was that her memory was still in pieces after that fucking curse. Trying not to let the frustration show, she turned back to Luna, shrugging.

Régulo bowed his head apologetically to Liv. He did not mean to be so foolish in his movements. Régulo tilted his head as the winter fae introduced herself. "Régulo, of autumn" He watched carefully if Liv recognized him in any way.

Nodding, she smirks, still taking stock of all he is. And then her eyebrow raises on its own as he says his name. Her smile widens and she tilts her head in amusement. "Ah, the infamous Regulo. I've heard much of you. Tell me, are you really as bad as the rumors say?" Her voice comes out soft, like a purr, and she leans in close to him, the wine and mishap forgotten.

lila pulls back from the hug and looks liv over to make sure she's okay. she has always been touchier with friends, and her mind is still a bit too muddled to keep track of preferences. she knows names, faces, knows her home, but everything else is still coming together. "no, just trying to track down people i know from before we all came here." the blonde says, shrugging.

Who: closed starter for @icewitch21 When: any time after the voice

Heart racing, Liv stood still as a stone, thankful the mask stayed on her face while she felt her other mask slip. The voice still boomed through her body, vibrating her bones and wrapping around her lungs until she could hardly breathe right. But she she slipped that mask back up quickly, immediately scanning the crowd for her High Lord.

Open to everyone! Where: After the ominous voice

Liv's icy eyes bore into him as she caught his gaze. She frowned, suspicious of everyone she didn't know. Tightening her hand around the glass of wine she'd procured, her eyes swept down his body and back up, taking him in completely. "You should probably be a bit more careful. One could be seriously hurt for bumping into the wrong person." Lips pulled up into a smirk, Liv tilted her head, holding out a hand. "I'm Liv, by the way. So that you can apologize properly." There was a hint of amusement in her voice.

closed starter for: @icewitch21.

Walking aimlessly through the corridors, Liv let her mind wander to all the possibilities she'd never actually known. Watching people remember who they are, remember their loved ones, and then search for their families... well, it certainly hit a nerve. She was so lost in thought, she had barely even heard Lila call her name. Which gave her very little time to brace for the touch and the arms wrapped around her. Tensing briefly, she took a second to compose herself, then exhaled and closed her own arms around Lila lightly, chuckling. "Well, it's nice to see you too. Trying to escape the crowds?