pegasus.

*  :  ･ﾟ  ✧  by  the  cauldron,  it’s lux,  the  seventy  three  year  old  high  fae  that  reigns  from the  day  court  as  an  advisor.  amongst  their  court,  they’re known  for  being  merry  +  intrepid,  however,  they  are  often condemned  for  being  guileless  +  impetuous.  without  their glamour,  they  tend  to  resemble  hailee  steinfeld.  the  whispers of  prythian  remind  us  that  they  resemble  the  floating  feeling of  falling,  fine  silk  and  bare  feet,  i’ve  read  that   somewhere  before,  sun-kissed  cheeks  in  midday  light. 

                                                                                                      lux.

“Occasionally. I can’t exactly explain the process of selecting which to follow, but I’ve found those I surround myself with often have a similar mindset. The gut instincts I have often align with theirs.” It was why he kept a core group on his ship — those he trusted with his life. And while he trusted his instincts, they were perhaps the only ones he would blindly follow. “There is nothing wrong with the occasional spoiling.” He murmured with a small smile. “I fear I’ve not been given the opportunity to venture so far into your court — occasionally I stop at your ports for supplies should I find myself in the area, but it is rare.” 

A shoulder rose into a half shrug. “That ones I am typically introduced too are much more… delicate.” It was perhaps the best way to describe them. They swooned at danger. They followed courtly protocols. They were boring. “I don’t allow anyone aboard my ship who refuses to obey orders.” He countered. “I don’t particularly care for questions, particularly when it comes to life or death. And you are correct on your own read… which is why I recommend the High Lords barge over my own ship… Self defense however. That is something that can be offered on land.”

-

lux trusted her gut too, but in an entirely different way. it wasn’t that she trusted herself to always make the wisest or the most safe decision, in fact she often did the precise opposite, but lux knew that her instincts would always lead her to learn something new. “then perhaps it is time to broaden your horizons in many different ways.” she smiled as she spun gracefully under his raised arm in a twirl. the fabric of her skirt spinning out around them as she returned to meet him face to face. “and perhaps you could make the opportunities to visit the day court not so rare. I would love to show you around the libraries.”

“delicate? am I not delicate?” lux could not help the little giggle that escaped her at the surprising word he’d decided on. now this was something she could use to her advantage. “well, if I am not a delicate lady then surely you must concede that I am more than capable of taking care of myself on any ship, right? whether it be yours or the high lords, but if I’m as much trouble as you think I am, wouldn’t you want me right under your own nose so that you could keep an eye on me?” the manner in which she batted her brown eyes at him was certainly a challenge, if only a little one. “and I didn’t say that I refuse to obey orders. I said I don’t obey anyone without question. if you don’t like questions, I’m sad to say that you won’t like me very much caspian. I cannot help but question everything.”

A breathless laugh of disbelief escaped her at the other fae’s words. Exhilarating. Mother — it was, exhilarating, but it seemed the moment that emotion swept in, so did an overwhelming plethora of others. “I — I suppose people move courts, but how do you even start making that decision? Up rooting your life.” For someone you weren’t even guaranteed to find any happiness with. “What do you both do when you’re happy where you are?” 

-

“I didn’t really think it was a decision sort of thing.” it was biology. lux shrugged. once you were mated, you were mated. it was as clear cut as that, was it not? “I expect you would make some sort of compromise then. is that possible?” perhaps it would be a little scary to mate with someone who was not of your own court. lux could not imagine wanting to leave her libraries. “don’t you think you would be happier together?”

“it is” she agreed as she walked even closer, keeping her voice low, maybe it was a silly thing but she felt that speaking louder would break the ambience the music was creating and she rather stay with it for a little longer “But I think this time, listening to it and only doing that is worth it.”

-

lux nodded and whispered in return. “I find myself forced to agree and yet, I always thought that it would be impossible to find a time that isn’t right for dancing.” she closed her eyes and listened to the resonance for a moment longer. “it reminds me of somewhere, but I can’t place my finger on it.”

Aenwyn loved parties, especially parties where she could wear very pretty dresses and dance as much as her heart desired, yes she knew it wasn’t as simple as that sadly but she was going to enjoy it anyway and besides she truly wanted things to be better and who knows maybe this would be a good first step. She found herself in a balcony to take a little moment to herself only to see she wasn’t alone, not surprising there were so many people around. “I do” she whispered back amused, “it is rather nice isn’t it?”   

-

the melody kept her attention enraptured entirely even as aenwyn got closer.  she was almost drawn back down to where it was being played, but something stopped her from going back down quite yet. “it is.” lux agreed. “although, it is rather difficult to dance to it when it sounds like this. don’t you think?”

The other fae looked as shocked as she felt, and for that part of her was grateful. Settling her hands against the rail of the balcony in attempt to settle herself ( nerves and all ), a nearly breathless chuckle escaped her. “Terrifying — it feels terrifying. Like up until now I’ve had some semblance of control over my life and now its just…. a free fall.” It felt weightless. There was nothing to catch her, nothing to determine how the fall might come and an end. Chocolate orbs flickered to the woman beside her, and for once she wanted to throw caution to the wind ( to no longer care about how such information might be used against her ) but instead she gripped the reckless notion as well as she could. “We aren’t of the same court.” She admitted. “And I’m not sure how one is meant to deal with that.”

-

terrifying seemed like a normal reaction to finding a mate, and yet, it was still a gut-wrenchingly scary answer to her question. that should probably not be the first word to come to mind when the bond clicked into place. then again, lux hadn’t actually been close to anyone that it had happened since she was a little girl. “a free fall?” she sighed. “that sounds exhilarating.” lux had always liked to leap from great heights just to get that weightless feeling in her stomach from the fall. she liked to test just what it took to land. “does that matter? I mean people move to new courts, right?”

“It’s kept me alive this long. And I think the moment I stop trusting my instincts is the one in which I will perish.” He remarked. Caspian had witnessed those small moments of hesitation in many— and while some had managed to escape with but a few scratches, others had lost their lives ( or those of others ). “I cannot say what makes me confident in that feeling, but I trust it.” Offering her a glance, his lips tipped up into a small smile. “I’ve heard there are no greater libraries then those of the Day Court and you have a love for the written word. It only seems fitting.”

A bark of surprised laughter left him at her words — moving his hand to clasp her own before moving them into step with the rest of the dancers already littering the floor. “You are not the lady I imagined you to be, and I mean that with the utmost respect.” Lips threatening to quirk again, he shook his head. “I do not make a habit of inviting civilians onto my ship. I have a feeling you are mischievous and far too curious for your own good. What good would instinct do me if you were traipsing about when we ran into trouble? Perhaps — if you agreed to obey order without question it might be considered. But not without proper training to defend yourself.” And even then, he would be hesitant to bring her aboard. Perhaps he would have better luck convincing her of venturing onto the High Lords barge if he were to accompany her.

“do you ever trust anything over your gut? what if someone you trust tells you one thing, but your gut tells you another? which wins out? what happens when you’re wrong?” lux asked, but she already knew the answer. she’d been a product of that exact answer. both of her parents were gone before she’d even known them because of it. “I admit, I have been much too spoiled for my own good. I expect I’ve read more books than some have seen in their entire lives. have you ever come to visit the libraries? you should. especially if you are fond of reading like you’ve said.”

while usually somewhat of a klutz, at least by fae standards, lux was light and lively on her feet. she moved through the dance hall with spritely grace, as if it were more natural for her than walking. “then I should thank you, but I have to know- what sort of lady did you imagine?” there was a similar finesse in her laugh. a little melody bubbling from the core of her. it wasn’t the first time she’d heard a comment like that. “I don’t even obey my high lord without question.” no one was above being questioned. “and if your instinct is good for anything, it will tell you that I am exactly the person that you would want to have around in any situation, because I am far more trouble than any we could run into, and while I might be a tad mischievous and a hair curious, I am not easily scared, and I am a quick learner which is why I am more than happy to learn some self-defense if you’re willing to teach me.” 

Alerie wished she had a similar mindset at times — how nice it would be to continue to live so carefree. Lips curled into a wishful smile before her gaze dragged back to the hallway behind them ( the noise of the festivities continuing to drift to them almost eerily ). “I… found my mate.” She’d never planned to admit it to anyone save Thalia, but the information had been weighing on her so heavily that for once she hadn’t really stopped to think about the consequences of what releasing such information might have. “And I suppose I have been a bit scatter brained since.”

-

lux stopped her twirling so quickly that she stumbled over her own two feet. her mouth fell agape and her eyes widened in absolute surprise. “you found your mate? your mate mate? the mating bond, capital ‘m’ sort of mate? mother-” lux gasped. in fast footsteps, lux crossed the balcony to alerie. there was no need to make her speak so loudly about it. this felt more like a close range conversation. it wasn’t exactly something that happened every day. “who could blame you? what does it feel like? who is it? can I ask that?”

“While I agree that one might fail to see the greater picture, I would placate you by stating I do listen. But there are often times where choices are life or death and unfortunately I cannot worry over others opinions.” Hurt feelings were something he could live with, lives lost? Certainly not. “Ah — why am I not surprised?” The closest he’d gotten to the Day Court was its shores, but the tales of their libraries were enough to tempt him into wanting to stop for a visit.

Releasing a sigh, he shook his head. “You will get plenty of experience on the barge, I assure you. Most do not handle their first few experiences on open water well. They grow ill… it is certainly easier on the stomach to start with something more pleasant such as with the High Lord… my ship often lacks the luxuries people look for and its frequently dangerous for someone without experience in combat.” Tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow, he began to lead them in the direction of the floor. “Caspian. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Lux.”

-

“do you always trust your instincts in life or death situations? what makes you confident that it is better than others?” the way she posed the question wasn’t as if it were a challenge or dare. truly and genuinely, lux was curious. what made him think that way? she doubted her own instincts at nearly every turn. then again, her instincts often lead her into trouble. lux tilted to the side ever so slightly. “I don’t know. why are you not surprised?” she asked with a smile on her face.

lux matched the pace of her partner as they walked towards the throng of dancers swirling and cascading in all different colors and forms. it was like watching a living kaleidoscope. “a pleasant experience is not necessarily the most educational one. I do not really require much luxury.” the music trilled pleasantly in the background. her eyebrows quirked up quickly. “combat?! really? could I go on your ship even if I had no experience anyway?” there was no hesitation in that inquiry. it sounded like a complete adventure. she smiled again and inclined her head politely. “I’m certain the pleasure is mine, Caspian.”

“It’s a grand thing — this celebration and gathering of people. We came on our own free will but our ability to leave has been locked. The wards prevent it until whoever is pulling the strings allows us and that certainly could be a dangerous game.” What if people grew impatient and tempers started to run? What if a mating ripped important people apart? What if the food stopped appearing as it did? They weren’t thoughts she’d lingered upon for long, but they had crossed her mind once or twice since whispers had spread about the wards. “I have found myself distracted, yes. A rather foolish choice, is it not? Remaining so unaware of my surroundings I startled with such ease. I’ve found thoughts that pull such attention to the mind are often better explored in private and yet my feet cannot help but let me wander as my thoughts do the same.”

-

lux hadn’t really thought about it that way. she’d come for the party, and she was enjoying the party. there was no need or reason for her to leave. “I would have never thought that it was a malicious act. just one for security reasons certainly.” there was no reason to worry until there was a reason to worry. lux simply had no reason to worry. there was food, bedding, company, and anything you could desire at the blink of an eye. besides, she never felt quite so trapped by wards as some might. lux had a way of breaking through when she needed. “I never think it is foolish to devote one’s whole mind to important thought. it can be dangerous when walking, I’ve learned, but some things require a full attention. what has you so worried?”

A shoulder rose into a shrug. “I welcome opinions. My men offer them frequently. Whether or not I take them into account depends on the merit.” He murmured. “Yes I am —and which court do you hail from?” She certainly seemed far too soft for something like night or autumn. “I don’t know the particular knowledge of its invention, but its the largest craft of its kind. Do not seek a smaller boat. I might prefer my ship, but the High Lords barge is the safest you could get.” Caspian fell silent at her words. Few would look to peace over power, and he was uncertain if that made her naive or simply better then everyone else.

With a sigh, Caspian downed the rest of his drink before setting his glass aside, standing and offering her hand. “Let us see if you are a worthy dance partner, Miss…?”

-

“and who determines the merit of said opinions?” she pressed with an inquiring brow. “because if it is yourself, that means you do not welcome opinions save for your own. the ones that you do not want to hear are often the ones needed most to see the whole picture. being able to see the whole picture can change your opinion entirely too. that’s the precise reason I reserve the right to hold judgment until then.” lux smiled. “the day court.” best known for the very libraries where she spent the majority of her time, which lux had always found a paradox as libraries were best enjoyed at night in her opinion. “oh, well I don’t care about being as safe as I could get. I care about the experience. on a boat that big, it seems like it would be hardly different from being at a palace. wouldn’t I want to be where I could actually feel the water? what’s your ship like?” she practically bubbled over with excitement as she finished her own drink from the flute and set it aside. lux had always loved to dance.  she took caspian’s hand with a gentle squeeze. “lux. and you are?”

SINCE BEING TRAPPED IN THIS MOUNTAIN aisling has had many opportunities to make acquaintance with others , some familiar while others were not , and most affable company if only for impressions sake. she needed an escape , and the many balconies the mountain hosted were quickly becoming her refuge. its access to the crisp cool air reminding her much of the everlasting winter she grew up in. 

walking onto the balcony she noted a brunette occupying the space she intended to keep for herself , she thought to simply pay no mind to the girls presence but the mountain seemed to hold other plans for her as the girl spoke directly to her . giving the girl a once over and deciding she was of no threat , she lowered her eyelids and listened for what she spoke of . it was the low echo of the music coming somewhere inside the mountain , a beautiful , if not equally haunting, sound to say the least . “ it is but the music echoing off the cavern walls , there’s no need of whispering, lest you have secrets to share ?” she commented

perhaps it was all in her head, but lux always likes a little moment every day to be spent in the sunlight. it recharged her. the opportunity to steal away such moments were fewer and more far between while under the mountain, but still just as important if presented to her. of course that didn’t mean she would not welcome the company, either. lux smiled.

“is whispering reserved only for secrets and not reverence?” she asked in return, still not lifting her voice lest is mar the nice melody that was surrounding them. “do you not like it?”

[ lux moodboards || 1/?? ]

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