GILDED BEING

“When we’re young and reckless it’s nearly all we do.” He spoke without tone, something distant in both the words and his gaze while he stared into the depths of those pools such a shallow comparison to the endless deep of his ocean home. In darkest places, endlessly downward, his kind kept their secrets and pretended that they were too alien for the likes of those upon land. Just as those among the clouds were too lofty, the summer sun too scorching for others and the touch of winter too strong for those not of its’ blood. And it meant nothing, split the skin and they all emptied themselves out with the same crimson. He tipped a glance to the owner of the voice in all her shimmering glory and sunlight shine, impossible to mistake one Court for another and she was a sliver of the summer. He envied them in that strange place that whispered of memories robbed from him in the back of his mind, because he had always looked to the light even as the sea flowed within him. In that place between Cal had dwelt watching one and finding comfort in the other. Still, they caught him off guard at times, the terrible loveliness of the summer children. 

And now, even more, he understood how sharp their claws were, how powerful their rage and hunger when wronged. It evoked a mild terror, left him wondering if war were to spring forth how he would counter the fury of those he would have to stand against from that brightly burning Court. 

That was not a though he cared to linger in, but it would not leave him easily. Her words took him by surprise, struck up a startling little swell of gratitude over such a simple expression so close to his own feelings at the time. He barely caught himself from agreeing too swiftly, because to voice that he was so weary of the bloodshed was hardly fitting for his position and, miserable as it was, it was more important than ever that he tried to reflect what he was meant to from his Court. Weaknesses would be exploited and Cal knew his own would carry repercussions if he didn’t keep up that illusion of distance the Undersea held as a shield towards others. He couldn’t choke them fully down, caught at the back of his throat, he coughed and shook his head to tug some resolve back together. 

“They won’t give you answers,” he finally spoke with a bare lift of his chin to chance a glance at the stars as she did as well; he had never held any faith in them. Had admired their beauty and the wonder of their presence but guidance? Where so many had turned to such things Cal had never been granted it; his path had not been set in front of him by charts and secrets the skies held but by the word of a Queen he still held a hint of fear of when she grew as angry as a hurricane. “They won’t do anything but shine,” Cal added with a trailing wistfulness of that lost beauty on his tongue, “and at this rate laugh at us, I’d imagine.” How he missed the glow of them, wondering when he would be able to see it once again, when it would be a welcome glimmer rather than only observation of the scurrying creatures below them.

Aurelia hummed in acknowledgement of his answer, having expected as much from an Undersea fae. All the courts had their secrets, but none quite interested her like the fae of the sea - each as mysterious as the abyss they called home. While the sun favored her brethren, the moon favored his. The decades of luring members of the Undersea Court under the false lure of her revels had proved useful, but not effective enough for her liking. With each layer she unwrapped about the sea, another appeared to greet her. One day, she would have the answers she sought. If her hunger for knowledge could ever be satisfied. 

“When have they ever?” she countered drily with an arched eyebrow, slightly amused by his comment. Besides admiring their beauty, Aurelia didn’t share her kind’s reverence for the stars. As a young fae, she was taught by the court instructors to identify the great fae of legend whose glory earned them a new home in the sky. Her former instructors would have her head if they heard her expressed disbelief in them, but the fae had turned her back on the stars for over two centuries now. The memory still made her ache, remembering the naive child on the eve of adulthood who still managed to act childish in the end. “I imagine we are all inconsequential in the grand scheme of life in their eyes,” she confessed, her eyes tracing out a constellation from memory. She was taught to find beauty and strength in their light, it’s what Aurelia wanted to believe at one time. However, fate was a cruel mistress and the fae had learned her lesson. Deviating from her fate in the stars gave her freedom, a peace of mind from the thought of her ancestors watching her sins. 

“The stars must had known the events to come, yet they did nothing to alert the astrologers. Surely, they know the identity of Cedric’s killer,” she pointed out, irate awakening itself from its slumber. There were many eyes on her court after what had transpired, which meant the continued armor of joyfulness and glee adorned on the Summer Fae. If there was one thing her court knew best, it was how to perform a role. Even now during her conversation with the Undersea Fae, she remembered her mask and pulled out a flask of faerie wine from the pocket of her gown to offer him some before taking a drink herself. Maybe, the loss of their own was meant to be a divine sign for the Summer Court. Or maybe, the stars sat in the sky keen to see crimson blood spill and tension erupt between the courts. Was all of this merely another tale for them? “Do you know the story of the Isidore the Noble?” she asked, spotting the familiar bow said to belong to Isidore in the sky. 

[High Court Oblivion Pools / Post event part two /Open]

A thousand twinkling glass stars had become more akin to predatory eyes and the illusion of mirth and distraction had dissolved into a thick shadow with the claws of a beast and a blood-starved maw hungry for something vile. Madness, revenge, chaos; all were one and the same when it came to it, when the ground could not soak up the crimson that had decorated it. Washing it away for the sake of pretending the whispers weren’t laced with venom in the wake of trading one death for another wasn’t going to stop them. 

He hadn’t dared to linger too far from his own, from the Court, not when the past few days had shaken to the core far too many things taken for granted and in blind comfort. Try as he might, and Cal had done so desperately just to put some sense to the lunacy, there was nothing good to be found in the events. For once he had nothing but a hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach, twisted into a knot and a distinct cold sensation settled in his chest. 

Finding himself alone, a moment of forced separation from his post so that matters above his allowance of knowing in those tension times could be attended, had left him choking on the distance. There was little pleasure in wandering the towering halls and the glittering spaces of the High Court; every spot his eyes trailed to turned red with blood and the unspoken possibility of so much more ahead. A fool, himself, what sort of soldier balked at the possibility of war? They were supposed to be made for such things and all Cal felt made of the past days was mirrored glass; reflecting what was expected of him but dangerously near to shattering. And he loathed it all; the ambitions that had led to such destruction, the rage that had demanded debts paid and hated it all the more for forcing him to look past the shine around him. . 

Couldn’t even find peace where one like himself should have done so with ease, that instinctive draw to the rippled surface of the strange pools. Water, of course that would be where his scattered thoughts guided his feet. Any other day perched at the edge just short of contact with the glossy surface, any other happy moment, he would have found them enchanting. Still wished he could have.

A poor guard, perhaps, he would confess it at times, and that moment he was so deeply wrapped in the cocoon of his thoughts that he failed at first to hear footsteps until they were too close to his back to avoid. Only a turn of his jaw, barely, towards the sound, the intrusion; that savior who rescued him from his own tumbling mind. “If you’re trying to sneak up on someone to stab them you’re doing a poor job of it, but you picked a good time to practice.” He muttered, and if the words were meant to be humorous his tone certainly didn’t offer it, flat and worn. 

Aurelia supposed there was an element of risk to wander the High Court alone without members of her court as backup. No doubt, the Summer Fae would be closely monitored for the duration of their visit at the High Court. Yet, she couldn’t tolerate being alone with her thoughts in her room that had been so generously provided by their host, so she had turned to wander the halls of the High Court. As loud as her heart screamed for justice, she struggled with the situation before her eyes. Too many factors to consider and asses and not enough room for errors. Some may call it hubris, but Aurelia knew for a fact the army of the Summer Court would triumph against the High Court. Yet she couldn’t ignore how anxious she felt. 

For too long the Summer Court had bowed its head to the High Fae, the very same fae incapable of keeping their own court under control. Nonetheless, she saw the current events as a waiting game - one she was prepared to secure an advantage for her court. However, frankly court politics was the last thing she wanted to think about tonight. After a day packed with checking in on her court, she felt drained but sleep escaped her gripe as her head was plagued by thoughts of war and espionage and it showed. Well, it showed to Aurelia despite remaining in her gown of butterfly wings looking as radiant as she needed to be as a member of the Summer Court. 

Having read about the Oblivion Pools, she decided tonight was as good as any to admire High Fae’s engineering. As if she would publicly praise the High Court, but in the end her curiosity won against her pride. The appearance of another fae still awake so late in the night had been a surprise. However, based on his hair and how at ease he looked in the pool, she inferred he was a member of the Undersea court. “Lucky for you, I'm more of a marksman. Tell me, is it possible for an Undersea fae to drown?” she asked absently taking a seat at the edge of one of the many pools. In the past before the events following the coronation, she would had been more gentle with the jab. Her own brand of playful and cruelty, a seemingly harmless game of cat and mouse. She supposed tonight was a night of exceptions as she studied the fae. The next few days in the High Court held far too many uncertainties for her to pounce before thinking.  

 “Enough blood was shed this week,” she admitted, her eyes drifting towards the constellations above their heads. She held little respect for the stars; they were a constant reminder of her own foolishness and she refused to succumb to their influence despite what tradition demanded from her. Yet, she couldn’t completely ignore the serenity evoked by the pools. How High Court was able to craft an experience of pure weightless would be admirable if she didn’t yearn for vengeance. 

location: a balcony at the high court open to anyone

The descent of sword and head is not what haunts Lucius each time darkness falls or lids flutter shut, instead it’s the twist of features of those who were housed within the expanse of the throne room; he could recollect in detail how mouths fell agape in shock, how pupils dilated to the stretch of obsidian in fear, how fists curled in fury. It’s the uncertainty of those surrounding that stirs within the sinew of his skeletal: what is to say tomorrow they would not be paraded in while a figure of importance from winter loses a hand, or a man from the sea loses their head? 

The humming swarm of thoughts ricocheting within his skull come to an abrupt stall as pupils land on a silhouette folded to a nearby chair– habitual, he cannot miss how the sun’s rays coax them lustrous. Perhaps he should apologize for interrupting, but Lucius’ mouth simply tilts crooked, syllables unravelling from his tongue like silk on his approach, “penny for your thoughts?”

Retribution was expected after Acacia’s execution by Seladon’s hand. The High Court should had known the Summer Court would respond with a call for retaliation. “Have I ever told you when I first met Seladon I couldn’t stop comparing her to a fawn?,” she asked, her gaze focused on the courtyard below them. “So young and desperate to prove herself,” Aurelia added, unable to hide her disdain, before releasing her hair from its updo. The days following the Acacia’s execution, she had prioritized her responsibility of uplifting her court’s spirits but even she needed a moment to collect herself. To breathe. Like Cedric’s murder, Seladon’s appointment as acting ruler had been unforeseen. For once, she was presented with unknown variables and she was desperate to make a viable strategy out of them. 

“How are you, Lucius? I assume you had your fair share of meetings since we last talked,” she asked, her attention now  directed at her fellow Summer fae. After Mattaeus, she understood his role as their representative would be greatly affected by the bloodshed. A storm was growing over their heads, evident by the glares she received from some members of the High Court. 

  introducing: the summer court of faerie

“she had been the best of us.” grief colors his voice red and raw, and quiet fury mined from a godfather’s once-love and the admiration of the deceased stills him. how he had loved acacia. their singular beauty, their sheer knowing, their infallible, courageous - so damned courageous - wisdom. “aurelia, do you know?” he swallows down a mouthful of summer wine. his sadness sweeps with a honeyed lushness attributed to titania’s kiss - had aurelia and isali fathomed it heavier, it would drown him. “that they threw the revel celebrating my birth?” for centuries and centuries, after having served as an illustrious master of ravels, acacia stepped down gracefully to stand abreast with mattaeus in an advisory role. they’d long spoken of a fairer way of choosing a ruler, even before cedric. even when he’d been alive and a tyrant. she never stopped speaking of it, even then.

he snorts bitterly. murdered. not then, but now. “i had hoped she would outlive me.“

titania’s kiss proves itself it to be a generous, merciless lover. around them, summer fae grieve in beautiful, spinning anguish. some are tucked into another’s embrace. some swallow their sadness and spin into song, lilting and echoing in the gardens. even mourning could be lovely in summer. “aurelia, will you tell me something our acacia taught you?”

with a heavy sigh that threatened to take her soul, aurelia eased her hold on her composure and sat down on the chaise longue. despite their famed endurance, she had anticipated her fellow fae would have moments like now and had set an assortments of chaises around the gravity gardens for them; the libations she and isali provided could numb the pain for so long. she resisted the urge to lash out at an underling, recognizing the act would do nothing to lighten mattaeus’ mood. grief was difficult for aurelia to process, it wasn’t an emotion she allowed the world to see. however, acacia wasn’t her clan and she wasn’t with just anyone. they had been irreplaceable, a symbol of hope for aurelia when she had little to hope for. and mattaeus, the very heart of their court had shown her light when she only known darkness. i wouldn’t expect anything less from acacia. once we are back home, i will have their story preserved in our text before the high court can act,” she promised, only able to imagine the feats acacia accomplished during their term as master of revels. for as marvelous as they were as the master of revels, acacia was brilliant in maneuvering the political affairs of faerie. she had dared to dream of besting acacia one day, though those fantasies always revolved around leaving acacia awestruck. now her heart only screamed for retaliation - justice for the fae. 

“some would argue the most valuable piece of knowledge she imparted was her cure for the morning after a revel,” she started, an attempt at light humor more so for her sake than mattaeus’. exorcising the ball of grief lodged in her throat caused her to grit her teeth. she swallowed, her eyes far away as she studied the revel attendees. some fae attended revels to lose control of their inhibitions, but aurelia found her control in the midst of the chaos.  “the first lesson she taught me was to question everything. i mean no disrespect to our instructors from our youth, but acacia taught me how to think instead of telling what to think. tradition has its place in faerie, but so does change. she always said the best way to prepare for change was to be the person driving change,” she said, sorting through her memories of the elder fae. under acacia’s wing, aurelia had found the willpower to be bold in her actions and to pioneer change in her life. 

“I actually wanted to see you.” Her tone was even, impassive, guarded. She would be a fool not to feel the tension mounting between them, feel the scathing burn of anger behind the summer fae’s gaze. “You’re Mattaeus’ advisor after all, so I figured you would be the best to go to for some advice.” She reluctantly took the offered faerie wine, her golden eyes glancing down to look at the swirling glittering drink, frothing and bubbling seductively in the cup; its aroma tempting and inviting. But Seladon needed to be a bit more on the clear-headed side for the night- like Aurelia had mentioned, she had many other stops and visits to make before the night was over. 

The high fae looked the other over, golden irises bright with a new resolve, a new sort of determination. “And I also hoped you would be brutally honest.” Nothing she said was a lie- she did want to pick Aurelia’s brain for a bit; for a multitude of reasons. 

A rush of curiosity washed over Aurelia, as the ruler’s motives became clear.  In her eyes, titles were an unnecessary formality. She didn’t need to be officially appointed to feel recognized for her work in her court. Her skills and talent spoke for her, as did the trust the Summer King had in her. If a day where her legitimacy was questioned were to happen, then she would discuss the matter with Mattaeus. For now, Aurelia believed her role aligned with her vision for the summer court. Though she couldn’t ignore the potential ripple Acacia’s death would cause.  Aurelia lifted up the chalice to catch the light emitted by the plants and momentarily admired her and Isali’s work before she took a large sip of the wine. Unlike Seladon, she didn’t need to be cautious when it came to faerie wine. If anything, Aurelia functioned best when she had wine in her. Summer wine warmed her core, like a salve for her psyche.  

“I assure you, Seladon, I have no qualms about being candid,” she replied evenly. Despite their current location, the summer fae surrounding them grounded Aurelia almost as if they lended her their strength. There was power in numbers. “Ask away.”   

Not even a second thought could stop Florence from grabbing the flask and tipping it towards the ground, spilling summerwine all over it. “Thank you so much for sharing,” her words purred out before returning the flask across from her. “All you summer fae are indulging too much for your own good. The coronation is not the biggest deal in the world. I’m sure you’ve mastered the art of mock support.” Few could understand the politics of Faerie as well as Florence, from a human’s perspective, as she honed her understanding from an early age. The political dance between the High Court and those resting below it seemed to be a purposeful show of power. How did the Summer Fae rest in knowing they weren’t the best when their arrogance almost challenged this ideology?  

Although Aurelia knew there was little truth in the words spoken by humans, she couldn’t resist the delight she felt as Florence accepted the flask from her. She expected the same response from any human she offered wine to, but most didn’t have enticement surrounding them like this one did. It was a game of cat and mouse, and she had no qualms with waiting for a new human with sight to be secured before she split her open. Try as hard she might, Aurelia couldn’t turn away from temptation. A renewed interest, a predator waiting to pounce on its prey. “Are we now, human?” she asked with a sharp arch of her brow, daring her to continue. Despite sharing her sentiment, it wasn’t her place to train the human on the inner workings of Faerie or entertain such conversation. “What would you know about the politics of Faerie? From my sources, monarchies aren’t even common in the human world anymore.” 

Immediately after the coronation, she had disappeared for hours into The Black Citadel with The Astrophile. They had talked about numerous amount of things, and her head was still spinning with their words, but now it was time to once again— face the music.

Seladon already had the creeping sensation that she wouldn’t be welcomed at the Summer Fae revel, held at the Gravity Gardens a short travel from Castelgrande. Though she figured it would be best to make an appearance, to continue on anyway. And no doubt she would have to talk to The Sovereign about the matter eventually— anxiety gnawed at her insides at her sudden arrival; already she could feel the summer fae’s eyes on her as she stepped off the giant bird and onto the floating island. Guards in tow of course (so annoying), more this time than ever before; as the high elders had practically begged her not to attend the Summer Revel. The whispers among the high fae were quick to blame The Late High King’s murder, and the destruction of the crown on the Summer Kingdom after recent events. But Seladon still didn’t want to believe there was a connection between them and all of the assaults on the high fae.

Aurelia was the first familiar face she spotted upon her arrival, hush whispers from the on-looking summer fae followed her as she sauntered over to the other, her expression neutral, gaze tight with tension. How will they treat you now?

“Aurelia.”

"Your majesty, what an honor,” Aurelia replied, her surprise hidden behind a veil of practiced calmness. She could feel her rage boiling up inside. Her fury screamed for retribution, calling for the ruler’s head on a spike. A sentiment she suspected many of her court shared based on the volume of wine consumed already. Nonetheless, the tale of Acacia would be immortalized even if she had to preserve the elder’s story herself. “I imagine this is only one of your many stops for the night,” she said evenly, raising a hand to alert a human to bring her and Seladon wine. Conversations with Seladon tended to go easier when she had something to distract herself with. 

Most fae struck as a warning, a reminder they were feral as they were beautiful; however Aurelia preferred a collected smile. She liked to leave her peers on their toes. 

There was a new energy when she looked at Seladon, the fae who whose home was once the Summer Court.  Seladon had potential, as expected from a fae under the tutelage of the Summer King. That was the thing about Seladon though; on paper she had everything needed to be a threat, but she had lacked the needed viciousness. Or maybe Aurelia had dismissed the young fae too soon as the coronation proved otherwise. 

Was she brave or foolish? Surely, the elders would had advised against attending their revel. Or did Seladon come in hopes of doing damage control? Even the magic she and Isali weaved for the night wasn’t enough for Aurelia to let her guard down. “Shall I fetch Mattaeus for you? Or are you here for me?” she said with an artful smile, offering Seladon a chalice filled with her favorite summer wine. A Master of Revels should be prepared for all outcomes after all. 

for summer fae, revels were as necessary as the sunbeams that kissed their flesh or the jewels that adorned their bodies. as much as the summer court celebrated,  aurelia had been taught to question the impact of each revel she threw. to think about how each night of debauchery could be a tool to increase mattaeus’ - their - power in faerie. each revel needed to have an impact, they needed to create value. her mentor had been no other than acacia, one of the first masters of revels and the quintessential summer fae. she taught aurelia the inner workings of court politics at the start of her career and coached her into the fae she was today. 

despite what the high court chose to believe, tonight’s revel in the gravity gardens was in honor of the legendary summer elder who died representing her court unitl her very last breath. in partnership with isali, the gardens was overfilled with merriment as summer fae did what they did best. wines and delicacies, served by humans who yielded their wills to the might of the summer fae. titania's kiss, a new drug created by aurelia herself to best ursa, the drug used by the high fae, had been distributed among her court. tonight was a night to mourn their fallen, but it was also a night to tighten bonds among summer fae. 

“ we can hope. ” it was funny, all the fae she knew seemed to expect humans to want to be like them: immortal, and all too wicked and lovely. but cordelia had begun to falter at the idea of becoming one of them. once, she would have yearned for it. now ? it seemed like a cursed fate. forever must eventually turn boring, wouldn’t it ? she also had begun to see them in a new light, nothing more than monsters. she took the wine without falter, pulling the chalice to her lips and taking a sip. fae wine was both sweet and intoxicating, but it had been some time since she had felt its effects go to her head. still, she knew she’d have to pretend. “ if the time comes where i can provide aid, who would i be to say no ? to be a part of something so great is an opportunity that couldn’t be turned away. ” she nodded at the mention of their summer king. matteus was like any other fae, but she had never quite gotten a read on him.  “ i can only wish to be so lucky. it would be a blessing to become like you all, an eternity in fae in summer. ”

naturally, mortality was a foreign concept for aurelia. even for fae, she was considered young  by many. her confusion was only furthered by the rare number of humans who reject the opportunity to join them. their justifications alway felt weak, almost as if they were desperately hoping to preserve their humanity - to fool themselves into seeing death as a gift instead of a curse. if eternal youth resulted in boredom, then they weren’t doing their best to seize the opportunity. what was wrong with having options? “what would be the first thing you would do if you were able to join us?” she asked curiously. how the former humans adapted to their new lives fascinated her. a tiny part of her mind still wondered what eternity would had been like with grace.  some human turned fae like julius assimilated so well, one could almost forget their origins. not that she would ever stop reminding julius of his roots, but at least she left him alone most of the time. although she sometimes questioned the legitimacy of the summer children, at the end of the day she acknowledged and viewed them as members of the summer court. her loyalty to mattaeus would always run deeper than her distrust of humans. 

     with a blink, cassian took in the glass before him for a second before snorting with a small shake of his head and taking the flask from aurelia’s hand. “how kind of the high court to be so generous,” the summer fae replied as he brought the dark wine to his lips. his eyes followed her line of sight onto the clouds above them, fascination twinkling in his eyes. it was easy to get accustomed to your surroundings and lose the magic in what you used to see and the high court was most definitely a sight to see. it was easy to think you can forget your troubles in a place like so, heavenly and surreal and marveling. 

    but home was home and this would never be home. cassian wasn’t even sure the high court could contain the summer fae even if they tried but if their effort was there, it would be easy enough to show the high fae the feral power the summer court held when possibly crossed. tensions were too high to take anything to chance. “it seems i’ve been in two places at one. isaliendrin and I are creating a human gladiator for our future queen as a gift and speaking of the future queen, I was also entertaining a reunion with miss larkspur. care to tell me what you’ve been up to on the way to this private collection of alcohol you found?” 

"they pulled out all the stops for us, didn’t they?” she commented as she studied the fae entering and exiting the courtyard. as the coronation approached, tension continued to linger in the air and started to become dense enough to coat an entire room. however, aurelia reveled in her time at the court taking advantage of the opportunity to sample high fae drinks and drugs she had only heard about from gossip and to put faces to names. “i can only imagine what the court will do the next time we all reconvene here” she said smoothly with a flash of a knowing smile before taking the flask back from him. in response to the uncertain circumstances faerie was in, she recognized tradition needed to be honored and the land needed a leader to maintain stability. however, what might be enough for other fae was never enough for aurelia. despite being blessed to to reside in a court of opulence and passion, she couldn’t stop needing more - for herself and her court. 

“are you now? just avoid getting blood on my gown tonight, it’s new,” she smirked, more playful than serious. though she was impressed with the idea, more so because of the impression it would have on the high court. “i’ll make sure mattaeus doesn’t hear about your gift till it’s time for the unveiling. i wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise for our the future ruler,” she added, knowing the unspoken but established policy of plausible deniability mattaeus had. part of accepting her title as master of revels was accepting the reality she would have to filter what she told her dear friend. the gladiator gift was an ideal opportunity to remind the other courts of the summer court’s might, to showcase what a fraction of their power could do. it was non-threatening enough not to be considered an act of war, and perfectly aligned with their reputation among the fae. “i’ve been here and there. reminded our humans to close their mouths, tried to check on dimitri but the forgery was under lockdown, and sampled my share of high fae delicacies.” her day had been fairly tame, but reconnaissance had been priority for her. “choosing to cause mischief with isali over me on our first night at the high court though. are you playing favorites, cassian?” she joked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “are you still bitter i bested you last month in the stag hunt?” 

closed to @ofhelefir​

at rest, two souls. 

he wears gilded marigolds and butterfly wings, a carnage of spring along the sculpt of his body, eclipsed by a cloak that carries warmth thieved from the sun and stars. atop his head, his crown of thorns. perhaps to lounge among the plush silk as if they’ve made a home in the high court, steeped in bliss and thick with humid whims, is inappropriate, not only of their garb that speak of higher intentions but also of their stations. but high court affairs are not known for their revelry and illicit humor, of which aurelia carries with her in spades; in her charm, and in the palm of her hand in the form of a confection.

the pleasure comes in soft washes, in velveteen embraces, and his arms comes to curl around her seat, around her shoulders. “to think, aurelia. we could have had to find other means of distraction, had it not been for your ingenuity. small-talk. drinks – and who can trust the mead here to carry any potency?” 

distractions. the rest of the retinue were nowhere to be found - distantly, he wonders where they’ve gone, but oft times it is better to find out when they feel as if they want the answer to be known.

“tell me, ought i worry about where the others have gone?”

her attire for the night had been deliberate, after careful study of of high court fashion which she considered to be rather conservative. she wrapped herself in gold and gems, spurning herself into the picture of opulence, wit, and undying danger. even now in her sheer gown, aurelia remained the diligent right hand of her king - her best friend.  

though the silk pillows they lounged on were plush, they lacked the comfort only possible from the pillows made from the swan feathers found in the golden court. everything in the high court felt just right, never more and never less. almost as if the high fae feared overindulgence. tonight had only reaffirmed her home in the summer court, where passion and ferocity were limitless and burned as hot as the sun. “could you imagine?” she laughed, not holding back the haughtiness in her voice after holding her tongue all day around the high fae. she slowly felt the familiar lethargic waves come to her. “as a treat for the other courts, i also brought the recent batches of sweets and drinks isali and i created.” a subtle reminder of their might if tonight’s display from isali and cassian wouldn’t be enough. “though i have heard rumors the rosewoods had a private collection hidden below the kitchen,” she shared the tidbit of gossip she got from a human servant. 

although she was curious on isali’s and cassian’s plans for the night, being with mattaeus was always a delight especially when it was just the two of them. just two fae at ease, removed from the mediocrity outside mattaeus’ bedroom. “never, the last time i saw them they were talking to seladon. knowing cassian, he has to tease her at least five times before the end of the hour.” 

“ i’d never have thought i’d get the chance to see it. it’s truly remarkable. ” she hummed as the other spoke, nodding her head along in acknowledgement. “ artist is a strong word for it. i never quite made a career out of anything i tried my hand at. ” others might have been upset to admit that, but cordelia couldn’t help but seem blasé. when her life had just started to become troublesome, she had been whisked to faerie and gone were her cares. “ perhaps i could lend a hand, if that is what you wished. though, i do suppose by the time another coronation comes around, it is possible i will have already expired. ” she gave a delicate shrug of her shoulders. there was never a guarantee a mortal would become fae, and cordelia couldn’t help but think she would find her end sooner rather than later. what a morbid thought that was. “ however, if i am still around, and you took care to remember, i would find myself flattered. perhaps it would be cause of me to owe you a favor of some sort. ”

"let’s hope this week won’t be your first and only time at high court then,” she said before offering her a chalice filled to the rim with faerie wine. the revels hadn’t started yet, but that had never stopped her before.  her smile directed towards human is sweet, as tonight warranted. comfort wasn’t guaranteed from finding a familiar face in high court, however cordelia was harmless enough. disobedient to a fault, but just enough for it to be deemed amusing by her. “maybe so, but i would appreciate fresh eyes. the previous artist we had in the court before your arrival never could see the big picture. it’s a pity what happened to him,” she added nonchalantly before drinking from her chalice. what cassian saw in the human perplexed aurelia. yes, she was beautiful but so were most of the humans brought to their court. though when had she and cassian ever had similar taste? “stranger things had happened before in faerie. mattaeus is a generous ruler after all.” a slight dig at the current situation that caused the courts to convene in high court. 

event: high court arrival date: april 29th @ofhelefir​

    they had arrived together; the court and them, stride in stride and screaming summer court in all their blaze and glory. oranges, yellows and reds. pinks and greens detailing their outfits to the very last drop of gems cradling their fingers. nearly glowing in summer’s warmth, embracing their skin in golden hues and leaving glittering kisses where they last stepped imprinted on the ground. it had been a good amount of time since they arrived in the high court, a good amount of time indeed for the group to go their separate ways and create trouble of their own. a plenty of hours had passed since he last saw aurelia, a curiosity striking him so strongly it sent him on the hunt for the member of his quartet. 

    it was in the courtyard, the center of the high court where it was the most alive, did cassian finally catch the sight of aurelia. his feet found themselves gravitating to the fae before he even considered approaching her. once he did, he snaked himself behind her, then beside her, following her vision of sight before glancing back down upon his friend - his sister. “may I ask what has caught your attention, ellie dear? I haven’t seen you for hours.”

the high court was ethereal, a beauty that became more stunning the longer aurelia surveyed the land. yet, she couldn’t imagine giving up sunlight and warmth for life up on the clouds. or fae who knew how to have fun. well aware of the stares her court had received from the other fae, she was pleased with herself and her fellow summer fae. the high court may glow, but summer fae were radiant. however, she remained guarded as the whole situation felt too suspicious and she could only imagine how the other courts were responding to the coronation.

with decades came the ability to recognize the members of her pack by the sound of their footsteps. even though he was a trained warrior, her ears were trained to identify him after one too many pranks from him. “drink. it’s from the high court’s private collection,” she said, offering her flask to him now containing mulberry wine she stolen. “for an uptight group, one would assume they would have better locks,” she added, not losing her focus on the black building floating on clouds - the forbidden fruit of her eyes. temptation slithered next to her ears, taunting her with promises of great knowledge. “where have you been?” she turned around,  glints of curiosity in her eyes and a familiar smirk on her face. the night was still young after all.

lookbook [01/??]:

aurelia couldn’t control the laughter escaping her lips as she studied the human in front of her. even away from the summer court, florence still entertained “how much have you drank?” she asked, still cautious of the high court’s hospitality. while she had nothing against seladon, as a whole she didn’t trust the high court. after all, the high king’s killer was still on the loose. it wasn’t too early to start pointing fingers and seeing what she could find out about the high court. “would you like more, dear?” she offered her flask of summerwine, a summer fae through and through. “we’re all going to need wine to get through the coronation.” she chose to ignore the mention of her other half, if that was how florence wanted to refer to isali. she would give isali this; he had taste. 

event: arrival to high court date: april 29th closed to: @ofhelefir​

to say she trusted no fae would be mostly true, her sole loyalties laid with the insurgent, but there was something about aurelia that made her skin crawl. perhaps it was the wildness of the revels she threw. at one time, it could have been said that cordelia enjoyed them, their luxury and their excitement, but not anymore. they were filled with risk, danger around every corner. still — she smiled towards aurelia. “  i’m not sure who planned the coronation, but i’m sure that you and isaliendrin would have planned something better, something that no one could ever hope to repeat. ” there was a pause, a glint of something flickered in her eyes. “ perhaps you’ll be deemed esteemed enough to arrange the next one. ”

“is the sky blue? nonetheless, it’s a treat to see the fabled palace of the high fae after hearing so much about it from seladon,” she noted evenly before focusing her attention on the human. if she had any common sense, it was clear which court reigned supreme of the ones gathered here tonight. there was a reason fae came to the summer court over the other courts. though she could recognize the gutsy display from cordelia, considering the likelihood of fae from other courts eavesdropping on them. “it was a shame i wasn’t able to plan the summer coronation. maybe, i’ll recruit your assistance with the next one. i heard you were an artist in your past life,” she asked, unsure of what the human was playing at. flattery was the key to a fae’s heart. well, the ones who didn’t lock their hearts away in ironclad boxes and tossed the keys away.