#eikonbound

The benefit of being a scout was knowing how to move as quietly as possible, as quickly as possible, while keeping a watchful eye. The stakes at present were, admittedly, much lower than what usually required his skills, but Gav applied them regardless. Not having his sword or leather armor certainly helped. If Tarja caught him or knew what he was up to, she'd have his head.

Gav felt his pulse pick up as he reached the door to Cid's new quarters. Greater than his fear of Tarja's wrath was his excitement to see Cid again. Sometimes the world felt half-real, like he might blink or jolt and wake up from a long dream to the news that the man was actually gone. But then he'd overhear that deep timbre, catch glimpses of Cid bandaged and recovering, and the drifting feeling would fade.

Joshua can't believe he will really do it. It's not that he truly wants to escape from Jote. No, he will never do that. They have been so good to him since they became his attendant years before. But as his attendant, sometimes, Jote won't let him do what he wants to do, what he feels like he should do. The plan is to reunite with them right after he's done with Ultima. And maybe they won't be happy, but it will be done. Joshua wants to protect Clive more than anything else. Well, reuniting with his brother is very important too, but making sure he's safe means the world to him.

He looks at Jote from his side of the room. They seem to be sleeping. Okay, maybe it's time to go. Joshua has always been good at being sneaky. As a child, it was to borrow some cookies in the kitchen at night. Now is much more important, though. He really doesn't want to mess up. If Jote prevents him from leaving, maybe he won't reach Clive in time. For once, he knows where his brother is. Jill and Torgal are there, too. He can't wait to see them.

He stands silently, takes only a few things to make sure he has what he needs, and is on this way to the door... when Jote pushes him against the wall. Oh no. That's not how it is supposed to happen. A part of him wants to quickly push Jote back to make sure he can reach Clive in time. But he can't push Jote. He would never hurt Jote.

There's anger on Joshua's features, though, and he's not even trying to hide it. No, he wants them to see the fire in his eyes. "Let me go, Jote." His voice sounds a bit colder than what he first planned, but he doesn't regret it. "My brother needs me. You know I can stop Ultima." He has spent the last years working so damn hard to make sure he could. He sighs. "If you come, you don't interrupt me. Even if it is dangerous. You have your purpose. Then let me have mine."

Honestly? Partly it is GUILT. Joshua blames himself for his father's death to the extreme. He blames himself for not being strong enough to protect him and Clive. He blames himself for not being there for Clive and Jill when they needed him. Joshua pushes on partly because he feels he has to make amends for not being what he was supposed to be. Because of his weakness, his family and his country was lost. He failed as a future archduke and a dominant both. Yes, he was only a child when it all happened. But that doesn't stop him from blaming himself. Joshua puts others first because he genuinely sees himself as an object to be used. He thinks Clive would make a better archduke than him and so he doesn't worry about that. He knows that he is strong enough to survive without him since he did it for so long. He hopes that the cult that worships him will fizzle out and the members can be free once he dies.

Joshua keeps going because he HAS to. There is no other option until he stops Ultima and saves his brother who he failed before. Until he makes up for his past failures, he cannot give up. Joshua knows that he is going to die once he takes Ultima into his body. He just has to fight it as long as possible.

"And what of you, Mythos?"His voice and gaze were cold, almost melancholic. Though, his expression was difficult to read. He stared at the man, dark eyes peering deep into him.

"You have met God and you deny him. You deny the purpose of humanity and Dominants. And for what? Pride? Arrogance?" He took one single step closer. Had he truly not seen the harm will caused? How it was the reason for his own suffering? How much more would Barnabas need to cut away to teach him?

"You think that I am delusional? You are the one which denies the truth before your eyes. I am painfully awake to it. I can teach you. I can wake you from your blissful and arrogant dream."

To say that Sleipnir is excited is a bit of an understatement. Barnabas doesn't attend balls often, if at all (as they can count on one hand the amount of times he's gone to one much less host one), but this is for a special occasion. The gown that Sleipnir wears has been specially made and tailored to fit them perfectly. It's an extravagant thing, all in the colors of Waloed, shining beautifully when the light hits it. Barnabas did this just for them. Smug is one of many descriptors they could give. Spoiled is another.

"Don't look now, but everyone is staring, majesty," they muse when he and Barnabas enter the ballroom, a sharp grin on their face. Barnabas may not enjoy the attention too much, but they certainly do. "I think they might be in awe of how handsome you are." Even though they both know everyone is likely more in shock of how Sleipnir looks. Not only are they wearing this special gown, but their hair has been curled and makeup done. They don't look anything at all like Barnabas' Lord Commander, and that's fine. Let people talk. They'll enjoy every second of it.

❂⭃ @eikonbound asked: ⥷❂ ❂⭃ ❛ glad to see you haven’t become food for the vultures. ❜ - from martha (from the medieval & fantasy sentence starters meme) !! ⥷❂

Medieval and Fantasy Starters

⤛⌠❂⌡⤜

Bryon's lips curled into a grin and his hand dived into the thick of his beard to scratch distractedly at the underside of his chin. He was letting off the air of someone that breezed through life despite all the excitement that his family was bringing to him these days had nearly ended him more than once. It was worth it, though. He had very important people in his life now and he was actively making a difference in the world where he once sat stagnating in the mire of the blight. He was able to really live up to the shadow his brother left behind, finally. So despite it all, he felt every bit as light as his demeanor would suggest.

"My prince, you must be exhausted. I insist that you rest. Do you hear me?"

Terence has a rather stern expression on his face as he kneels down next to Dion, wrapping fresh bandages around his arm. He worries, oh, how he worries. Dion is always pushing himself too hard, too far, and too much. For what, exactly? Terence has never quite understood it, but he'll always be there to catch Dion when he falls, regardless. His fingers linger by his hand, brushing against his palm, and he lets out a soft breath, looking up at him.

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐅 𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃. How many months had he truly stayed at Port Isolde with only hearing from her through letters, Anabella wondered while their lips met behind the closed doors of her bed chamber. She did not know, yet the kiss let the weight slip off her heart at last. Being in his arms again was the greatest reward for those long months of waiting and praying for the flame to carry Byron back to her—where he belonged. In matching enthusiasm about their reunion, he pushed her against the door, pinning her between the wood and his own body to close the gap and hold her in place.

Of course, greeting each other in such a manner was full of risk. Who knew, when the servants would come to check on her or Byron? Or when Elwin would start looking for them, since Anabella had promised him to return with Byron to his side shortly. After all, he too wanted to see his brother again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tilted her head to the side to deepen their kiss, letting her tongue taste him. The idea of being caught in the act quickly vanished from her mind.