#kc.starter

“The food is not to your liking?” The dragon observed, abandoning the roaring fire that attracted the remaining residents of the refugee camp. High-spirited dragonkin like himself, managed to lift the spirits of the somber set. At least, given the circumstances. But halfway through a tale of excursions to the Shrieking Clam, now by another name, he caught sight of the lonesome creature huddled away from the group. With a gruff smile, he excused himself from engaged company. He strides forward, a taunting glimmer in his dark eyes. “Or have my tales offended you somehow?” Cailean inquires, lips curved into a cautious smile. His arrival to the camp was fresh, at least ten days after the explosion at Glasswater Palace. Most of his and Nymeria’s efforts were focused on the periphery of the capital, aiding the Elysian military. A most dangerous game, considering the laser-focus on capturing dragonkin. But Cailean refused to cower in fear. Not when his centuries of training were for this very purpose. The calm before the storm offered the pair an opportunity to join the refugee camp. A way to asses those who remained, and learn of the aftermath of those involved. Or so, he told himself. “If you won’t eat it, I will.”

“Look at us, a lonesome pair,” remarks Ainsley, the Duchess of House Ashcraft, the golden train of her lace and linen dress moving with her. Every corner of the palace was filled to the brim with opportunists and social climbers alike. Certainly an energetic atmosphere, but it grew tiresome the moment her husband devolved into a belligerent drunk. Being in his cold and resentful presence was difficult enough, let alone when he made his fragile state a public display. Clutching her goblet, Ainsley maneuvered through luxurious garden. The moonlight providing ample guidance, until she arrives at an impasse. Another person who shared her sentiment for gardens and solitude. Her lips twist into a smile, moving closer. “Who are you running from?”

Alek had found one of the music studies, taking a seat at the piano he couldn’t help the slight reminiscent times when he enjoyed these things. When his mother would encourage him to get out there, dance, and have fun. But now - not so much. It had been years without her and now every single moment felt empty. Though he heard someone’s approach. He hadn’t turned to see who it was, but he still spoke, “Please don’t tell me that my father sent you to find me. If he has, please assure him that I’m enjoying myself and making many important connections to benefit the family,” he said, clearly lying. 

     Kaya didn’t expect to witness a bar fight, but it happened and she wasn’t complaining. It was usually quite fun to watch. One guy punching the other, and why? She had no idea, and probably neither did everyone else know. Those two guys seemed quite drunk.

“Any way that I can help you there?” He asked, his hand taut on the reins while his other hand rested on the pommel of his sword. Not a threat per se. Just a good place to keep your hand on the off chance you would need to use it. “I’m always willing to help someone out for the good of the realm. Or for coin.”

𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐒  :  open

        THE  SPRING  FESTIVAL  BRIGHTENED  EVEN  CECILY’S  DARKENED  SPIRIT.  she  enjoyed  meandering  through  the  market  place  and  by  the  tourney  (  keeping  ribbons  dyed  a  deep  red  tied  to  her  belt  just  in  case  ).  the  drinks  flowed  and  people  let  their  guards  down  —  like  the  man  she  had  been  tailing  for  a  better  part  of  an  hour.  she  had  no  instructions  to  do  anything  yet  but  preferred  keeping  tabs  on  her  marks  lest  they  slip  out  of  the  city  without  her  knowing.  he  had  turned  a  corner  towards  a  cropping  of  merchant  stalls.  cecily  moved  to  follow  him  only  to  be  stopped  short  by  a  little  girl  selling  flowers  ,  her  grin  large  and  missing  a  front  tooth.  

     cecily  attempted  to  sidestep  the  flower  girl  but  she  only  followed  cecily  ,  hands  outstretched  with  flowers.  cecily  arched  an  eyebrow  at  the  girl  and  shooed  her  away  ,  “  who  do  you  belong  to?  go  back  to  your  parents.  ”   

The explosion cast him down, not for the blast but for the tremor that rippled through the keep and offset his balance enough to send him stumbling ungraciously, slipping over the carved edges of the nearest fountain and into the shallow waters. He braced himself instinctively on his hands, a sudden pain jolting up through his wrist when they met the stone - though it’s forgotten or perhaps just ignored as quickly as it came, his thoughts rushing in an instant towards the palace.

Sorin--?

They’d separated shortly after their arrival, spent the evening apart each with their own interests and little concern for the risk this might pose in the absolutely unlikely scenario of an emergency, an error in hindsight now slingshotting back to bite his already bitten ass. There's a quickening beat in his chest that’s not solely his own as he scrambled to get up, only promptly halted by the sight of shrouded figures rushing into the gardens ahead.

As not many people were on it, it was the perfect time for her to twirl her way onto the dance floor, holding out her hand for the person nearest to her. “Oh please, do me the honor of dancing with me? Just this once to liven up the dance floor.” She didn’t mind if rejection came, her purpose was already served, to be noticed and make heads turn in her direction.