#hedonisthemomancer

The Tithe

Pay the Tithe or face the ocean’s wrath.

The infinity of the sea spread before the assassin, shadowed under the foggy moonlight. The tides hungered, he had been warned. ‘Always keep a golden Kraken in your pocket.’ Or at least something as valuable as one.   

The planks of the wharf creaked under Talon’s greaves, turning his naturally silent steps into an assassin’s mockery. The pier was shabby and narrow, it extended like a needle piercing the dark waters ahead.

He stopped before the end where the tides crashed and wrapped heavily around the wooden poles, at times the foam molded into shapes, drowned silhouettes drifting and dispersing effervescently. He had heard those rumors in the tavern, it was a bad omen. Talon ignored them, his obsession was stronger.

bitter soulmate starters | still accepting 

 “Really?” Talon gave a flick of his tail, swimming in slow, thoughtful circles under the water’s surface. The bioluminescence from his tail and eyes lit up the water around him, highlighting the ripples that danced over the surface in a light show almost too lovely for human eyes to appreciate.

But then, Vlad wasn’t really human. Not anymore.

“Why aren’t you good at love?” Talon surfaced, water beading up and running off him so that within seconds, the dark grey leather of his skin looked perfectly dry. Only his hair retained the wet look, sleek as oil against his skin. He folded his arms over the side of Vlad’s dinghy, careful not to rest so much weight on it that the little dingy would flip over. He’d learnt how much Vlad disliked it when that happened.

deathless sentence meme | @hedonisthemomanceraccepting.

most people would be concerned at such a statement coming from the hemomancer himself, most of all as they remain alone in the quietude of the the grand general’s office. instead of that, however, all the words bring out of jericho is a subtle, nearly mocking smile as he crosses bad leg over his good one on the settee, perching his face over a gloved, flesh-made hand as he studies the blood mage with those unreadable, all-seeing eyes.

it’s silence that befalls the room, thick as a blanket as eye contact doesn’t break. he expects the other to say something else for a moment, as if gauging him; when he doesn’t, he stands to his feet seconds later closing their distance with in quick stride, a demonic claw coming to trace the line of the older one’s jaw with strange elegance, a second before it grasps at fair skin, making sure the mage’s eyes remain upon his. his hold isn’t brutish, no, it’s effortless, much too gentle for a hand crafted out of sheer dark energy, nothing outside the occasional prickle of something akin to simple, harmless static coming out of it. 

in truth, some would call it loving, but most know not to put associate adjective with a man like swain.it’s another long moment before he speaks, those eyes burning through as the overbearing warmth of that hand lingers against unmarred skin.

"truly, i do not know if you mean that as threat or simply as an invitation, vladimir,” he starts, tilting his head as one of his ravens would, staring as unblinking and unflinching as one of his own flock.  

falls asleep on the couch

Either one - usually together if they do. If Calix is with Vlad, he will generally sleep with Vladimir sleeps as part of his arrangement wtih him. Then again, at some of these parties, even the experienced courtesan might not quite keep up and may drift off on the couch in front of the fire before the night is over.

makes friends with the neighbors

Oh, Vladimir is friends with all the neighbors. “Friends” is an...interesting term for it though. He is well connected, throws parties and attends them alike to maintain those connections. Calix too is “Friends” with Vladimir’s neighbors. Part of being a good courtesan is providing entertainment, after all - or, if nothing else, being yourself a fine display of the wealth and status of the person with whom you have a contract.

is the adventurous eater

Both can be. I imagine though that Vladimir might introduce the Courtesan to things that he’s never tried before, especially when they are traveling.

hogs the covers at night

Vladimir - and Calix will playfully tease him for it and make jokes like him needing to write into the contract renewal that he be granted access to blankets at all times.

forgets to do the dishes

NEither of them has this as a responsibility. That is something household servants do. A courtesan of Calix’s price wouldn’t be asked to do that - unless, I suppose, that were a particular kink or desire of his contracted partner.

tries to surprise their partner more often

This can go either way. Calix might put more effort into this though - into little surprises and delights to help keep Vladimir happy and relaxed - especially when he’s out traveling for official purposes and may need a bit of distraction.

leaves dirty laundry on the floor

Neither really - maybe Vladimir if he’s busy. Or both of them if they quickly undress and have things to attend to in the morning or don’t get up for a long time and someone comes and cleans up.

stays up til 2 AM reading

Either will - even as a courtesan, Calix has his intellectual interests. Actually, this is one of his best features as a courtesan - there are a number of higher ranking individuals who want a courtesan who can have a long conversation with them. Vladimir may do this as well, though often for work more than anything.

sings in the shower

Calix, especially in the bath. He may bathe and begin singing to himself to fill the silence, only to have Vladimir hear him in there and stop working to go and join his courtesan.

takes the selfies

Doesn’t really apply to this AU, but let’s say that Vladimir has a portrait or two commissioned of his pretty courtesan and himself.

plans date night

ship asks, ayy | @hedonisthemomanceraccepting.

❤ — who is more affectionate in public? in private?

vladimir, certainly, in both cases. while their relationship isn’t something open either, vlad isn’t above the occasional display of possessiveness and since it’s always brushed off as the man merely being eccentric, darius doesn’t bother complaining aside the occasional mild chastising.

💓 — who initiates most physical contact?

vlad again. the marquis is known for being handsy and the fact darius started this off by letting him feed as a reward for good services likely contributed to his handsiness, lbr. 

💙 — who is more protective?

“I’m afraid the answer is no.” 

The wraith let the corpse of the man he was just holding hit the ground with a sickening series of cracks and thuds. “I won’t stop my little rampage here in Noxus and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll get out of here before you get your pretty little clothes all dirty. Not unless you think you can stop me yourself, in which case, why not give it a shot?” 

He kicks the body out of the way and opens his arms.

“Come, hemomancer, turn my blood against me! ... OH WAIT-”