Petals and Pistols

OC-tober – Day 11 – [City] – Lockdown at Larkspur Tower in Rurikton

This song as part of the story.  Every Tear is a Waterfall by Coldplay

Lord Alistair Larkspur, the House’s head, summoned all of them to gather at the Larkspur Tower in Rurikton for a mandatory quarantine while they rode out the latest plague to….plague Kryta.  (A combination of rot and blight and who knew what else this time, highly contagious.)   Regardless, it did not sound pleasant.

Nor did the prospect of all the Larkspurs virtually jailed for a few days in the same building.   Nobody was happy.

The lot was ridiculously bored over dinner, enough the select mesmers among the group started turning their silk napkins into illusionary doves.

But Lux would have none of it.

“How long is this plague drama supposed to last for?  How contagious is it, even?  Dad can’t keep us locked in here forever!”  Lux shouted, pouting as she glanced around the fourth-level parlor room and dining area, her Dolce & Banana heels softly clicking against the marble floor in agitation.

Declan moaned along, “I have a date.  I don’t think my date would appreciate me not showing up to our date, even if there’s some pestilence going around.”

“Well,”  Lena murmured to Dean, mid-giggles, “If she already agreed to go out with him, I don’t think she cares about catching some plague…am I right?”

“I heard that!”  Declan huffed, thumping his fists on the table and glaring in Lena and Dean’s direction.

Before Declan could retaliate any further, Lux interjected, “Okay….okay!  We’re stuck here, but at least we’ve got each other.   How about we just…entertain ourselves?  We’re near the music room, after all.   Lena?  Grab your cello!   Laurel, you’re good at piano.   I think there’s some tribal drums still laying around here somewhere?   Laurie?  Lulu?  I know you both have drugs somewhere stashed, so share!  We’ll even invite the staff.  Theo, help me out!”

Lux didn’t really need to coax much from her favorite mischievous cousin to get him to collaborate with whatever antics she had in mind.

“I’ll grab my harmonica!”  Leigh chirped, much to everyone’s disappointment.  But they allowed it.  They were -that- bored.

“Alright looks like we’ve got ourselves a band…!   And now, for some mesmer magic…”

The rambunctious socialite stood up, mindful of her pristine white gown, and stepped away from the fancy table.

“Dear Dwayna, what is she up to now,” Dylan muttered to Laurel, who simply shrugged and reached for her glass of champagne. But Lux just scoffed at the pair, placing a bare palm to the wall as she concentrated, “Shut up, Dylan.  We’re having ourselves a party.”

And so, shortly after a little mesmer magic, the harmonizing began –from cello, to drum beats, to piano, to the awkward harmonica. They even had party guests in the form of the staff, also sequestered for the time being while whatever health drama subsided in the Reach.

The obnoxiously bright flair in all sorts of violet (violent?!) shades was not going to dissipate until she finally acknowledged its source.   And, while she had no desire for any exchange unless it was the DoorSmash delivery from the Grove’s finest salad bar, at least her children would be spared from the thunder-like flashes of strobe mesmer lights.

With just enough trepidation, she approached the narrow balcony.  Her left hand rested on the wrought-iron surface as dainty fingers tapped on the cool metal,  tiny lilac-colored light sparks emitting off her lacquered nails.  Lifting her right hand, a glowing lavender orb forming over her palm, she beckoned for the fellow mesmer hoodlum to teleport next to her, whispering, “You better have some Wintersday gifts to deliver if you’re going to bother me on my holiday vacation.  It’s not every day a girl gets to leave Olivia’s Refuge and bask in cherry blossom-covered, snow-capped norn territory.”  

The tired chronomancer grimaced in annoyance before porting a floor above, landing close enough to brush against Lux’s wool white robe.  She took a subtle but quick step back.

“No gifts.  Just questions. And that’s a lie.  You take more vacations than Queen Jennah’s shoes.”   HIs voice was as gravely as usual, even though smoking was no longer a part of his undesirable repertoire –new lungs and all.  The cynicism and dry humor were ever present.  Some things just never change. “They asleep?”

By ‘they’ Lux understood he meant her children, who were vacationing with her in a luxurious chalet off the nearest waterfront snowy peak in Timberline Falls.  Winter wonderland’s splendor was a long-standing yearly treat, one she thought was well-deserved after settling in a desert shangri-la for freedom and autonomy.  What’s the Larkspur and Rossi fortune worth if not to splurge on extravagant holidays, right?  (Meanwhile, the growing woes of the Zephyrite and post-Scarlet Briar Lion’s Arch attack refugees in Olivia’s Refuge need attention, but it’s Wintersday vacation.  Entitlement is a privilege, or vice versa.)

“They’re asleep, and you’re intruding.  Why are you here at this time, Aiden?  The moon is annoyed that your paleness is outshining her.  She’s already competing with the snow.”

“Couldn’t sleep.”  He opted to ignore her dramatic but brief diatribe.

Lux rolled those amber peepers like they were skritt casino slots filled with endless copper coins, “Then take a fucking Miss Pei sleep tonic, or have Cora knock you out with a spell.  Unless, and I’m guessing, you didn’t come all the way over here for a sedative?  What do you want, Aiden?”

“Something doesn’t feel right….still.”

Lux kept quiet when he admitted what she’d heard before.  She could easily dismiss him like previous times, say something superfluously sassy to deviate his tension or intentionally rile him up about some triviality as a distraction.  But tonight there was a hesitant restraint to her expected absurd antics and her taunting tongue.   She let her silence linger, a calm concession alluding that he should continue.

“You’ve told me you don’t know, and I believe you.   River won’t even speak to me, because she knows I’ll know she’s lying.  Diana is…well, Diana.    I don’t think they told Cora anything at all.   But….someone knows.  And Phil…can’t.  I am wise enough to not put him in that position, even if I very much want to.   Which is weird and…..”   Those deep-set, jade eyes of his squinted as he stared at Lux, “Probably cast a spell to literally prevent me from asking him but….I get it.  Healer’s oath and all…”

Conversations about Aiden’s healing and recovery always made Lux beyond uncomfortable, to the point that she couldn’t understand why her normally inquisitive nature prevented her from digging into the issue in spite of her own reserved suspicions.  Maybe Aiden was onto the possibility that a memory wipe and mind block of sorts was performed?  But no, it couldn’t be.  That would be unethical, and the Collective was all about following their particular ethics code.

“I don’t think you should dwell on it, Aiden.  I think….I think you should be glad that the Branded corruption didn’t go any deeper and you were able to get the organ transplants.   Not everyone was that lucky after the battle.”  Lux’s reassuring words, while sincere, had a droplet of doubt to them…and Aiden was perceptive to their masked uncertainty.  

“But you had to know.  Or someone….someone had to know.”

“Know what?”  Lux’s feigned innocence was old news to the savvy chronomancer.

“Lux, just…  Don’t.  Who was it?  Or who were they, for that matter?  Whose organs do I have?”

A conspicuous wave of defensiveness swept over the flustered mesmer, and she hastily took a few more cautious steps back, “Aiden, I’ve told you.  I don’t know anything about that!  I came to see you while you were hospitalized, and took great troubles with security clearance since I’m not Collective.  Uncle Seb had to vouch for me!  I….I really don’t know anything about that.  I don’t even think my uncle knows!   Sage made the call!  I….I’m not even sure Cora knows!”

“Oh, she knows.  She must know.”  He spit those words in an unusually bitter tone, devoid of the softness he reserved only for Cora.  But he quickly backtracked, his voice relaxing to a moderate rasp, “And if she doesn’t know, then they did something.  To her, to me.  To memory.”

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Lux countered, “The Collective protects the integrity of what we mesmers are capable of doing.  That would be against the very principle of why the organization exists.  I’m living proof of how far they’ll go to make sure we don’t use our magic inappropriately.”

“Yeah,” Aiden snorted, “You’re quite literally living proof.  You should be dead.”

Lux scoffed and dramatically tossed a long, honey-colored tendril off her shoulder, some strands catching against the thick (vintage!) fur framing her robe’s collar, “I reformed. I wasn’t even mentally stable.  I was pardoned.  Anyway, why do you care where your heart and one lung and whatever else came from?  Kidney?  Liver? You’re alive and that’s what matters.  Do them justice by living your best life.”

Her superficial words were no special comfort to Aiden, but they gave him serendipitous insight.   “You’re not wrong.  But they, they’re speaking to me in a sublime way.”   His jade eyes lowered to meet hers, “I don’t expect you to understand.”

“I also don’t care?  So if that’s all you’ve got tonight, please kindly teleport off my balcony and go back to Harathi or whatever centaur-infested lands you wander these days.  Or are you and Cora still shacking up in Ebonhawke?  How very edgy of you two.  The market is still getting bombed.  Separatists rampant. That’s so typical of—-”

But her unsavory quips were cut off when he suddenly vanished into a misty, violet cloud followed by a dim flash.

“Rude.”

(She did care.  He was the closest thing she had to a parental figure, dysfunctional as it may be.  But she’d never say that to his face.  She’s a Larkspur, and he’s a peasant.  Also, she still found him insufferably annoying.)

Later, after a sleepless night sodden with second-hand guilt, she waltzed to the oversized norn desk in her chalet suite and plucked her enchanted quill from its ink well.  Not even bothering to summon her penmanship with magic and dictation, she started scribbling and sending off lavender-colored envelopes to multiple recipients:

River,

Aiden is restless and struggling.  He came by tonight, confused and asking questions. I think you should talk to him.

~Lux

Uncle Seb,

I’m worried about Aiden.   You should check up on him.

~Luxie

Alissa,

Are you still keeping in touch with Elias?  You know, the cute but kind of intense mesmer that I think is a Shining Blade friend of yours but probably top secret agent Mesmer Collective guy?  Can I get his contact info?  Asking for a friend.  No, really.

xoxo, Luxie

Darling Cora,

Hi darling!  So!  How’s everything?  How’s the baby?  Oh wow, Wintersday is coming quick as Zephyr winds!  We should get together soon and talk about the Wintersday Rurikton Roses event and such!  I’m staying in Timberline Falls, come visit!  It’s lovely out here!  I’ll send a griffon for you and the baby, darling.  Say when!

xoxo, ~Lux

That poor, weak butterfly clockwork mail carrier would need oiling soon, or at least a visit to Ruby’s shop.

Luxy,

Yes, I am still seeing Elias weekly for Mesmer therapy sessions. Sadly, it hasn’t recovered anything but the sessions are still helpful and I’m regaining my control. He’s a professor at the College. –Also, your sister apparently has a huge crush on him. I probably don’t need to specify which one. Dean, as you might know, has been working part-time there teaching a class a semester and has caught her flirting with Elias in the hallway a few times. Anyway, that’s beside the point. 

I’m sure Dean could pass along a message for you or if you write to Elias at the college, I’m sure he’ll get it. 

I miss you! The twins miss you, too, and Keira. And Dean, of course. 

We send our love,

Alissa, Dean, Keira, Claire and Jack 

PS: Are you planning on being home for Wintersday? 

(Keira attempted to write her own name) 

And then Lena waltzed back in as she dragged yet another suspicious-looking metal chest into the socialite’s office.  

“Lena, just how many of these do you need me to hold for you until the Feast exactly?”   Lux muttered, unamused.

“Oh!  Just....like...three more?”  Lena fluttered her lashes.  

Of course that didn’t work on Lux.  She invented the lascivious Larkspur eyelash bat.

Lux sighed, “Just...don’t clutter my space too much.  I’ve got business to conduct.   And...speaking of business..... I don’t suppose Lily’s already joined the Academy?”

“No way!  Not until next year!”  Lena offered, pushing yet another chest under Lux’s desk, her micromini plaid skirt shamelessly serving a peek of her crimson lacy thong.  Lux sighed again at the unwelcomed sight.

“Then you’re the sister who should leave Elias alone,”  Lux added, dryly.

“What?!  I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She knew exactly what Lux was talking about.

OC-tober – Day 11 – [City] – Lockdown at Larkspur Tower in Rurikton

This song as part of the story.  Every Tear is a Waterfall by Coldplay

Lord Alistair Larkspur, the House’s head, summoned all of them to gather at the Larkspur Tower in Rurikton for a mandatory quarantine while they rode out the latest plague to….plague Kryta.  (A combination of rot and blight and who knew what else this time, highly contagious.)   Regardless, it did not sound pleasant.

Nor did the prospect of all the Larkspurs virtually jailed for a few days in the same building.   Nobody was happy.

The lot was ridiculously bored over dinner, enough the select mesmers among the group started turning their silk napkins into illusionary doves.

But Lux would have none of it.

“How long is this plague drama supposed to last for?  How contagious is it, even?  Dad can’t keep us locked in here forever!”  Lux shouted, pouting as she glanced around the fourth-level parlor room and dining area, her Dolce & Banana heels softly clicking against the marble floor in agitation.

Declan moaned along, “I have a date.  I don’t think my date would appreciate me not showing up to our date, even if there’s some pestilence going around.”

“Well,”  Lena murmured to Dean, mid-giggles, “If she already agreed to go out with him, I don’t think she cares about catching some plague…am I right?”

“I heard that!”  Declan huffed, thumping his fists on the table and glaring in Lena and Dean’s direction.

Before Declan could retaliate any further, Lux interjected, “Okay….okay!  We’re stuck here, but at least we’ve got each other.   How about we just…entertain ourselves?  We’re near the music room, after all.   Lena?  Grab your cello!   Laurel, you’re good at piano.   I think there’s some tribal drums still laying around here somewhere?   Laurie?  Lulu?  I know you both have drugs somewhere stashed, so share!  We’ll even invite the staff.  Theo, help me out!”

Lux didn’t really need to coax much from her favorite mischievous cousin to get him to collaborate with whatever antics she had in mind.

“I’ll grab my harmonica!”  Leigh chirped, much to everyone’s disappointment.  But they allowed it.  They were -that- bored.

“Alright looks like we’ve got ourselves a band…!   And now, for some mesmer magic…”

The rambunctious socialite stood up, mindful of her pristine white gown, and stepped away from the fancy table.

“Dear Dwayna, what is she up to now,” Dylan muttered to Laurel, who simply shrugged and reached for her glass of champagne. But Lux just scoffed at the pair, placing a bare palm to the wall as she concentrated, “Shut up, Dylan.  We’re having ourselves a party.”

And so, shortly after a little mesmer magic, the harmonizing began –from cello, to drum beats, to piano, to the awkward harmonica. They even had party guests in the form of the staff, also sequestered for the time being while whatever health drama subsided in the Reach.

   “Can we talk?” 

She swallowed hard as they walked to the sitting room and he moved towards her. She subtly bit at her fingernail as she stood with an arm bent. It dropped and she finally spoke, attempting to keep her voice steady. “I…Dean–”

Dean stood his ground this time and shook his head a little. “Alissa, I need to tell you something and I need you to listen. Please.” His words prompted her to lift her eyes to his and he saw that she had been crying. He smiled faintly, trying to mask what, he could only guess, would be disappointment and closed the space between them and took her face in his hands, his thumb grazing her cheek. “You really don’t know, do you?” he asked quietly, searching her eyes.

Ten minutes prior…

Dean sighed as he walked down the path from Alissa’s house. She wasn’t home and the maid wasn’t sure where she’d gone. Glancing around the Settlement, he looked in the direction of his father’s house and considered going there. Instead, he turned and walked the other direction, suddenly having an idea of where he might find her and hoping he was right. Sure enough, she was leading her horse back to the stables nearly at the exact moment he stepped foot on the Cavalli estate where she kept Ash. She looked slightly windswept and lurched to a stop when she spotted him and quickly pulled her gaze away and led the horse into the stables. 

Dean sighed as she continued to ignore him. “Alissa…” Sighing again and reaching a hand through his hair he took a step towards the entrance of the stable, saying, “Alissa, can we talk?” 

“Now you want to talk?” 

He grimaced a little. He deserved that. “I know you’re mad at me but–” 

“I’m not mad at you. I’m frustrated.” 

“I know,” Dean said quietly. “Look, I’m trying to fix things but it’s not something that’s easy for me to talk about.” 

A look of hurt crossed her features. “It’s hard to talk about. Got it.” She threw up her hands in frustration and started to stalk past him. “Fine.” 

“Alissa, don’t walk away from me.” His bluntness surprised both of them and she turned back to him.

“Why? So we can continue talking about not talking?” 

“Aliss–” 

“Do you have any idea how frustrating you’re being–” 

“-I know but–” Dean tried to interject but was interrupted again.

“–Seriously. What the fuck–” 

Before she could say anything more or have time to catch up with her thoughts, Dean suddenly took a purposeful step towards her and took her face in his hands. His lips zeroed in on hers and he silenced her with a kiss. She let out a small noise of surprise but to her own astonishment she kissed him back. Encouraged by her response he pulled her in closer, his hand moving into her hair. Starting to withdraw, he tenderly kissed her bottom lip and the corner of her mouth and drew in a deep breath that he slowly released. He kept her close, their foreheads touching and the pad of his thumb caressed her cheek, continuing to hold her face in his warm hands. His heart was racing. 

Their eyes met. Finally seeming to process what happened, Alissa’s mouth opened to say something but no words came out. She remained frozen for a moment before she quickly moved away from him and she bolted out of the stable.

“Alis—” He started to call after her but his words fell short and he let out a small sigh of frustration. She vanished from sight. He rubbed at his face with his hands briefly. “No,” he decided to himself aloud, “You aren’t going to just let her walk away.” With quick steps, he left the stable and started back towards Ascalon Settlement.

Present…

Alissa looked at him blankly and opened her mouth to speak but redirected her train of thought. Her brows creased. “What’s wrong?” she asked quietly, noting his visage was riddled with disappointment and something else she couldn’t quite place. 

Dean drew in a breath. Here goes nothing… ”I’m sorry, Alissa. I know you’re frustrated with me and you have every right to be. I’m sorry I kissed you. I should’ve…” he sighed and struggled to continue, dropping his gaze to the floor. “The thing is… I’m in love with you. And I have been for a long time.” He stood motionless and waited for her reaction, knowing he wouldn’t be able to take his words back.

She blinked, looking at him blankly. “Wait, what?”

He slowly lifted his head and forced himself to make eye contact with her. “I love you,” he repeated quietly, trying to decipher her expression but bracing himself for disappointment. 

Alissa stood there in stunned silence and seemed to be deep in thought. Of course he loved her. He had only been desperately trying to get her attention for years and she had been too stupid to see it. “I…” her voice trailed off. 

He sighed and looked at the floor again, trying to hide his disappointment. “I’m sorry, Alissa. I shouldn’t have said anything. I don’t want to make things awkward between us. If you want me to go…” 

She interrupted him, putting a hand on his arm and shaking her head. “No, no. Dean…why are you sorry?” To his surprise, she was smiling when he looked at her and she touched his jaw and continued, “You don’t have to apologize for how you feel. I’m just…I wasn’t expecting…I had no idea…” Her words started to come out stammered and she let out a weak laugh. “I feel really stupid…” She sighed a little. “How long have you had feelings for me?” 

“A long time,” Dean admitted. His hand reached up and brushed some of her hair behind her ear, lightly playing with the strands between his fingers. “I wanted to tell you; so many times. There were moments I was sure you would figure it out because I said too much or the wrong thing. I mean, it started out as just a stupid crush. But…the more time I started to spend with you and the better I got to know you, it grew into something more than that. And I tried to just…stop but I can’t and I don’t want to.” 

Alissa let out a weak chuckle, feeling her eyes mist up. “Dean, I’m a mess. I’m bossy and I don’t listen. I’m stubborn and independent and am not good at asking for help. And that’s only scratching the surface when you take into account how self destructive I can be and my horrible track record with relationships.” 

Dean looked at her calmly, a trace of amusement in his eyes and he laughed quietly. “Are you done?” he murmured. “Cause I’m hearing a lot of self deprecating and none of that makes me want you any less. Besides, you’re telling me this like I don’t already know.” He chuckled again and lightly touched her chin, prompting her face closer but he didn’t kiss her as much as he wanted to. He reached for one of her hands and gently held it in his. 

She reached up to wipe at her eyes as she listened to him speak so open and honestly. Drawing in a breath, she looked at the floor. “I never realized how much I really needed you. You’ve…always been right there. Patiently waiting.” 

“I never wanted you to feel like I wanted anything from you. I just wanted you to know I was here if you needed me.” He lightly touched her chin with his thumb. “I’m sorry this is overwhelming. I didn’t want it to be but I’m not sorry that I finally told you how I feel.” He glanced at the floor. 

Alissa still looked stunned and was unsure what to say but she caught the look of disappointment on his face and moved in closer to him, encircling her arms around his torso. “I’m glad you told me, too,” she said quietly. “So, what happens now?” 

“Well. I kind had this plan to ask you out and everything and then tell you I was hopelessly in love with you but…well. –Yeah.” He reached up a hand and lightly scratched the back of his head and let out a soft laugh. “It didn’t go as planned. I didn’t plan on kissing you in a horse stable either, but it was also the only way to get you to shut up since you wouldn’t let me get a word in edge wise.” He smiled lopsidedly. 

She laughed. “I’m not sure I would’ve been any less shocked if it’d happened any other way, to be honest,” Alissa admitted. “So, where are we going on this date?” 

Dean smiled broadly; boyishly. “Well. I have some plans. You free tonight?” 

The Festival of Lyss April 4th, 2020 at 6PM PT / 9PM ET Divinity’s Reach Ossan District Squad Taxi: Farad Al Madahni (Macabre.9521) or (Phen Rae.5876)