the greatest thing you’ll ever learn...

Isabela looked at the Scottish man for a moment before she truly heard the words he had spoken. She was always the one who could put on a face to charm those around her but she couldn’t now. Not after the fear she felt when she heard the words fire. It was a different kind of threat and one that shook her to her very core. “That- that is nothing,” she whispered as she brought her trembling hand to cover her mouth to ward off the sob that wanted to break free. She didn’t know where anyone was, she couldn’t search for them till it was safe for them to reunite with loved ones, and all she wanted was her mother and father but she wouldn’t be able to have them hold her and reassure her. 

And what a sparse forest that must be. Dante merely smiled briefly and bowed his head at the other. “Think nothing of it,” he said. “I am sure everyone else in this courtyard is similarly occupied. Few of us were so fortunate as to be penned up with our loved ones.”

His first instinct was to snap at the other man. He was agitated, teeth gnawing at his cheek as he listened to the duke speak. It was none of his business. Everyone in the courtyard had something heavy on their minds. They were in the midst of an emergency, and many were separated from those that they’d want to see safe.

He took a deep breath –– an effort to calm down. His problem was not with the Scotsman. It was with the guard, who perhaps was the person he hated the most in this space in that moment. His words were clipped as he glared daggers at the man who was only doing his job. “I need to leave this courtyard.”

Ewan let out a breath at that, agreeing with the man. He looked in the direction of the doors, where the guard stood. Ewan could not care less about his own safety, and he suspected that most in the room felt the same. To be quite honest, his only thought was to leave, as well.

❝warte, schau es dir an! ❞  the words came out with a snap upon the unexpected bump. frazzled by the events, raked with worry – she hardly knew anyone here – and while her loved once were out of sight – it did little for her temper. but she did recognize the male as an acquaintance, but no name surfaced.  ❝no, no  you’re fine– we’re all distracted here and it’s a troubling situation… ❞ that was a fine understatement, and she scolded herself for the lack of better words. her own mind is in a haze.

ava was always bright. she emitted the most pure energy possible —- but her joy was easily extinguished. this whole ordeal was because far too much, too overwhelming. their new home was burning, and their people were dying, and her spirit was weakening. little went right nowadays. she was not taking much notice of those around her, too concerned with the worries of family and friends, and was startled as somebody walked into her. “you need not worry.” she paused, looking up at the man. “i believe we are all distracted right now.”

one moment she was enjoying the party and the next moment complete chaos burst through the party. she had no idea where she was even going, but she knew she was being shuffled along with the crowd. now standing around with a small group of people she searched the crowd for her family. with all the chaos happening most people were forgetting any sort of manners as they bumped and ran into each other. however one man didn’t seem to totally forget himself. “it’s alright. i think most of us are distracted anyways. you haven’t by chance seen any of the french royalty here? i’m looking for my mother…i can’t seem to find her.”

Yet another crisis, but this time, his wife was not with him. It was not like the quarantine when he could keep an eye on her, when they were stuck inside the chapel –– the chapel that was now up in flames. Instead, he was forced to wait things out like everybody else. He paced, jaw clenched as he received another apology from one of the guards, it’s simply safer for everyone to stay where they are, they said. 

The scowl on his face he could not hide. He shouldn’t have told Friđa to retire for the night. Even if the air had not been cleared between them, in times of emergency, he’d rather have her nearby, especially knowing that their child was in her belly. Too lost in his thoughts, he only noticed then that a pair of eyes had been watching. He turned to them, patience the last virtue he was keeping in that moment. “What?”

It was difficult not to notice the man that was brooding int he corner. Ewan was used to watching people, and he had been having a rather pleasant conversation with Kristoffer earlier that night. It was a shame that it had come to this, that people were in danger yet again, but nothing could be done about it right now. That didn’t stop him from worrying, though.

Eideard gasped softly at the intensity of the kiss, his fingers curling into the material of Ewan’s shirt. He kissed him back with equal verve, the intensity of his love and passion making his heart race. He adored Ewan so much that sometimes it overwhelmed him. He smiled softly as Ewan spoke. “I will never leave you again,” he promised, adding to himself that they would quite literally have to kill him first. He chuckled. “And Effie, of course,” he murmured. “I could never leave her out. I adore her.”

He turned to face the duke, greeting the man with a nod. The few times they had run into each other was enough for Kristoffer to recognise the other’s voice. It was not so difficult a task –– the Scottish accent was indeed a rather distinctive one. “Is it the crowd you are not fond of, or is it the masquerade itself?” he asked. He knew that there were those who felt uncomfortable being lost in a sea of people, while there were those who simply did not enjoy the pomp of such celebrations. He wondered if the duke fell anywhere between the two categories. “No Effie tonight?”