#gcdgames

" now, it simply was not my fault. " the princess fussed, as she leaned ‘round the horse to look at phillip. " samson took off, and next thing i knew, we were gone for hours! " ⸻ of course, aurora blamed the horse; who seemed to take offense to the beauty’s shifting of the blame.

"your hands are freezing! let me warm them up..." / @gcdgames

she had noticed her hands were freezing ― but aurora was trying to be brave. this was her first winter out since she had run away, taking on this new life and new world. everyone else didn't seem to be struggling, anyway. she didn't want to appear the weakest one in the group ― except she knew that was exactly what she was.

the blonde's cheeks flushed pink as he offered to warm her hands, reaching out and taking them into his ― followed by blowing his warm breath into where he had them clasped tightly. the princess's eyes were wide with surprise, but slowly, a sweet smile found it's way to her rosy lips. " but what about your hands? " she asked softly, completely unmoving from his grip. aurora liked the closeness. she liked his attention, too. " surely you're just as cold . . "

"stay close to me." [ phillip to aurora ] / @gcdgames

❝ Oh, but it hardly seems so dangerous, ❞ Aurora says lightly, a playful lilt in her voice as she presses herself against Phillip's side regardless. She doesn't need an excuse to stay close to him - there's a magnetic pull, a rush of excitement and safety all at once that keeps her there. But she also delights in her gentle teasing, always thrilled to find the little things that fluster him. Carefully, she allows the backs of her fingers to brush against his.

Still, there are plenty of distractions in the market. It's wonderful to trade her new array of stiff dresses and pinching shoes for soft cottons and slippers, blending in with every person that pushes past with frenzied purpose. With her free hand, Aurora pulls the kerchief around her head, partially concealing her hair, a little tighter.

will it always be like this? [ from phillip to aurora ] / @gcdgames

Will it always be like this ? That is quite a question ; Briar Rose ( Aurora, they call her now, and she needs to learn to fit the name until the name fits her ) is careful not to lean too close against him, to let their covered arms touch. The dreamy haze of life hadn't followed her into this new and strange castle, and with it gone she is acutely aware that not only is he human - but she is, too. A human, in a world of humans, with responsibilities and expectations and eyes on her, on them, at all hours.

When they'd found this tucked away room with its thin window that looks out over the sunset and the forest, it felt like she could finally breathe again. Breathe, and think. Is this the world Phillip has always known ? Will his opinion of her, once a breathless whirl of glittering excitement, dull when he realizes how much she simply doesn't fit here ?

" well, you're just as dead as i, aren't you? " the specter said, coming into view, an eery pale blue shade to her — before her corporeal being momentarily manifested. a calculating gaze ran over him, lips pressed firmly to each other as she made her assessments.

she had seen many ghosts in her day, especially as they all flocked to her mansion and now it was littered with nine hundred and ninety eight of them. " — or not. " she remarked, beginning to circle him as she twirled the hatchet in her hand mindlessly, almost as if it were a toy.

" what are you, stranger? other then a trespasser in my home. "

“You’ve been mostly dead all day.” / @gcdgames

" mostly, " she repeated, giving him a soft smile from where she laid in the bed — " i think a kiss could probably help, seems to do the trick when i'm sleeping. " aurora giggled, trying to lighten the low mood that seemed to be in the air. then, a soft sigh passed rosy lips. " it's just a fever, " the beauty mused, downplaying the severity of the situation. she hadn't had the strength to leave the bed of her own accord in days, and if she could, she was far too dizzy and nauseated to go more then a couple steps. the physicians had been in and out of the room all day, she was tired, fatigued and quite honestly — over being examined and questions. aurora just wanted to rest.

the beauty set down the charm she was playing with in her fingers, " can you tell them not to come back in for the night? " aurora asked her love, violet eyes pleading with him. they'd listen to him, surely. phillip had a much sterner way about him then she, and aurora loved that about him. he would always advocate for her when no one else was listening.

[ HOLD ]  for one muse to slide their arm around the other in a possessive way. / @gcdgames

the princess had learned from roaming the kingdom with the bandits — that had so kindly welcomed her into their fold — it was better to sometimes be a quiet observer then to make yourself known. which, was something she was far too used to. whether she wanted to or not, thanks to her golden hair and her violet eyes, the beauty was entirely too noticeable. she always kept that violet cloak draped over her head while they were in villages — just as she did now, mindlessly trailing along behind one of the bandits, munching on a couple dates she had bought a few stalls behind.

her gaze was wandering as she followed, looking over everything — from the stalls, to the people, to the animals. the beauty was in awe, just as she always was whenever they ventured into a village. always so easily amused by the simplest of things, but the simple life was so new to her. when the bandit in front of her stopped, so did she.

puzzled, aurora began to look around for what caused the sudden delay in their overall pleasant morning — but from behind her, she felt an arm wrap around her waist and pull her close into the body behind her. the touch was familiar but firm. it made her smile, and her head tilted upwards, resting on his chest as she looked up at him. " what's going on? " she asked, unmoving from the hold he had on her. being unaware of what was going on, she wasn't afraid — but the way he had his arm around her, the possessive tone to it; it gave aurora a feeling of safety she hadn't had felt since leaving the castle. like nothing was going to touch her so long as he was there.