(from these asks) Thank you so much for the ask, Violet!!

3.  How do they put themselves to bed at night (reading, singing, thinking?)

Azalea

If she’s alone, she will read; usually a nice work of fiction to urge her dreams into a good place.

If she’s with her LI, she will occupy herself with them; being intimate, talking, joking, or cuddling.

Imalia

On those special occasions where she does sleep, she will think.  She’s not going to have good dreams, and if they are good, there is going to be a cruel twist in there somewhere.  (Lon is a terrible mindpartner.)  She will try to think positively, or think of something completely absurd.  Thinking about an experiment she’s working on or an upcoming lecture will definitely make her stay awake, so she tries to keep her mind off of work.  The best thing for soothing her to sleep is Asra.  His voice is calming and he is always comforting and encouraging.

Ciel

Ciel will often hum a song from his childhood to put himself to sleep.  Having such a doting mother was a comfort for him, and any of the songs she would sing to him would lul him right into dreamland.

7. What triggers nostalgia for them, most often? Do they enjoy that feeling?

Azalea

Things that remind her of Asra trigger nostalgia more often than not.  Some of the feelings are good, reminding her of their friendship; but others make her think of how he would leave her alone for days -sometimes weeks- on end and that creeping feeling of isolation and uncertainty will take hold. Certain scents or sounds will give her a nostalgic feeling, and she isn’t exactly sure why.  She always assumes that those feelings come from the memories of her past life that she has forgotten.

Imalia

Certain statues, mainly ones that look like they’re sleeping.  When she was young, there was a small garden outside of the city she was born in, where a statue of an ancient fallen hero was, leaning against a tree like he was sleeping.  She would go there when she was feeling bad or lonely, and tell stories to the statue, or sing to it.  At one point she found out that it wasn’t exactly a statue.  The fallen hero had been part rock golem, and when he died his body had turned completely to stone.  She had been actually singing and talking to the hero himself.  This memory will never be bad to Imalia, because around the statue she could be her true self and say whatever she wanted and it would never judge her.

Ciel

Nutmeg.  Ciel’s mother would make specially seasoned oatmeal for him when he was very young that Ciel swears to this day is the best thing he’s ever tasted.  It was seasoned with nutmeg as well as other things, but the nutmeg really stood out.  He loves his mother very much, and when he’s reminded of something very special she would do or make for him, his heart fills with warmth.

9.  Do they swear? Do they remember their first swear word?

Azalea

Yes, but not often.  She swears when suddenly shocked, or when in the thralls of passion.  Otherwise, she tries to keep her language clean.  Her first swear word was “dammit.”

Imalia

If swearing could be manifested into a human being, it would be Imalia.  But not pointless swearing for swearing’s sake...artistic swearing for insults and extreme expression.  She swears when she thinks a swear word would aptly amplify what she’s trying to say.  Which is quite often.  She went full tilt with her first swear word.  She went straight for the f-bomb.

Ciel

Ciel would rather cut off both of his legs than swear.  He is above such base expressions, and tends to get bristly around people who do swear a lot.  He considers his first swear word to be “Poopy.”

38.  What memory do they revisit the most often?

Azalea

The first time she saw her LI.  The hammering of her heart, the confusion, the surprise, the wonder.  And the fact that she had no idea she would end up falling so deeply in love with him.

Imalia

The day she received the letter that stated that her father had died in the Lazaret.  She never willingly revisits that memory...it creeps up on her.  Swallows her up in its pain and makes her falter for just a moment.  Reminds her that she never got to say goodbye.

Ciel

Mal is 36 today (same age as me, whoo!!) and in celebration, I’ve drawn her in her Baewatch outfit.  (Hey, better late than never.)  Drawn by hand, and colored with a mouse.

Would appreciate some reblogs. Trying to get my art out there. <3

This piece is inspired by this snarky exchange in my head:

Lucio:  Hey, Mal!  You almost look good!

✨- what’s their favorite song to slow dance to?

“Hallelujah” by Rufus Wainwright

It’s a moving song and has a good cadence to it that is easy to get lost in.

“Breathing” by Lifehouse

It describes her inner feelings far better than she can put to words, and would leave Asra blushing.

🤐- what’s their guilty pleasure song?

“Professional Pirate” from Muppet Treasure Island

It’s happy, it’s funny, and anyone would look at her strangely to see her singing it with gusto.

“The Bad Touch” by Bloodhound Gang

Mal is lowkey horny all the time and she will dance like a complete dork to this song.  Including slapping the imaginary ass motions.

🔮- what song describes their magic the best?

“Thunderstruck” by AC/DC

Lightning.  Oh yes.  No other song will do.

“Fire” by Crazy World of Arthur Brown

Thanks to @shyest-violet for the inspiration!

Imalia and Asra celebrate his birthday at home.

759 words, little bit o’ citrus

-------------------------

“So, I thought we’d spend your birthday at the estate,” Imalia said.  “Relax for a bit.”

Asra smiled and stretched, arching his arms over his head.  “That sounds amazing,” he said.  “I’m worn-out.”

“Yeah, I can tell,” Imalia said.  “You’ve been so wonderful, Asra.  I can’t thank you enough for how much you’ve been helping me.”

“I’m happy to,” Asra replied.

Imalia opened the gate to the estate’s grounds and let Asra enter first.  She then took his hand and led him around to the back where a small tent covered in rich glittering fabric was erected.

“Oh, Mal, this is lovely!” Asra said.

Imalia led him over to the tent’s opening and flashed him a coy grin.  “Oh...just wait till you see the inside…”

She pushed the fabric aside, and watched Asra’s eyes grow wide as he saw what she had prepared for him.  The interior of the tent was easily six times larger than what it appeared on the exterior, the ground littered with plush elegant pillows surrounding a table that was covered in rich decadent food.  And in the center of it all was a tall intricate hookah with a wide and generous bowl full of...well, he knew what was in it.

Imalia took his hand and kissed his palm.  “Happy birthday, Starlight,” she said.

She led him inside, and made sure that he was seated comfortably.  She then sat directly behind him, winding her legs around him on either side.  She drew him close and kissed his neck, her strong hands lightly gripping his shoulders and massaging them.  Asra let out a pleased groan and leaned back into her.  Her thumbs found a tight spot in his back and made small circles to ease the tension, all the while she kissed the tendon at his neck from bottom to top and ended with a playful nip at his earlobe.

“Hungry?” she asked.

Asra smiled and gave his lips a slow and sensual lick with his tongue.  “Starving.”

Imalia let out a growling laugh, and reached for a large ripe strawberry.  She held it in front of him and he leaned forward, his lips closing around the fruit and biting down very close to the tips of her fingers.

She took the mouthpiece from the hookah and inhaled deeply.  She then passed it to Asra who did the same as she exhaled a large sparkling blue plume of smoke.  She reached underneath one of the pillows and withdrew a sleek polished obsidian box.  Clearing her throat, she presented it to Asra as he exhaled a glittering lavender cloud.

Asra placed the mouthpiece back in its holder and looked at the box curiously.

“Oh?  What’s this?” he asked.

Imalia grinned broadly.  “Open it and see.”

Asra gave her a sly smirk and lifted the glistening lid.  Inside were two identical golden collars.  Asra spun around to look at Imalia, his face awestruck.

“Oh, Mal...when did you do this?”

“A little while ago,” she replied.  “I had them custom-made.”

Asra picked one of them up and rotated it in the light.  It was polished to a mirror shine and Imalia delighted in Asra’s reflection.

“It’s so perfect,” Asra breathed.  “Can we?”

“Of course, Starlight,” she replied.

Asra turned so that he was facing Imalia.  He picked up the collar that he knew was meant for her, and she took the other collar from his hands.  Asra reached up and unhooked his own collar and gingerly placed it inside the box.  Imalia removed the thin gold choker she wore and placed it next to Asra’s old collar.

Giggling to themselves, they placed the new collars around each others’ necks and clasped them.  They marveled at each other for a moment.

“So...how does it feel to be owned again?” Imalia asked, snaking her arms around Asra’s back and holding him close.

“Mmmm...amazing,” Asra said, snuggling into Imalia’s chest.  “But you’ll need this back.”  He reached for her old choker and removed the red talisman from the thin loop.  He then placed it front and center of her new collar.  It melded with the gold seamlessly.

“They don’t work without the full set, right?”

Imalia laughed.  “True.”

Asra got an impish grin and pushed Imalia backwards onto the pillows.

“And since I now own you, Professor…”

Imalia smiled up at him deviously.  “Are you prepared to boss around the Princess of Sairuun?”

He pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her.

“I didn’t say the Princess could speak, did I?”

You know what, @another-blue-blog​...you’re so awesome and supportive.  ILYSM

Beware the novel!

TWO| Does your apprentice have a gate? Describe their gate. How did they come to make it?

She does!  Azalea’s gateway has three parts to it.  The first part is a snowy forest cast in eternal twilight that gives the snow a pink color.  Stars whirl overhead in the sky.

The path goes on and the snow melts and the forest becomes alive with fireflies.

  And at the end, the forest clears out onto a sandy beach with a small cottage perched beyond the tideline.  The water vivid blue and stars and nebulae fill the sky above.

Imalia's gateway opens into a misty forest with red leaves on every tree.

The forest leads past what looks like the ruins of an ancient castle or temple.

Past the ruins is a long peninsula with a tower right on the edge of a cliff overlooking a sea.  This is where Imalia tests her magic without the worry of destroying anything in the real world.

SIX| What Hogwarts House would your apprentice belong to? Why?

Slytherin.  Azalea is extremely ambitious.  For most of her young life, she knew she wanted to become a mage.  She saved and worked hard to hone her magical abilities, and when she got the opportunity to become an apprentice to a mage, she lept on it.  But she would be that one Slytherin who called Malfoy out on all of his BS.  And when he’d threaten to tell his father, she would reply with “Go ahead.  I’ll send you to your father in a pet carrier.”

Ravenclaw.  She is all about knowledge and learning.  Everything she does, every achievement she’s made is in the name of knowledge.  She’s weird and intimidating af, but remember...Luna Lovegood was a Ravenclaw, and she was boss.  She’d be that Ravenclaw who starts a Tutoring Club just so she can help others learn.

TEN| Talk about your apprentice’s family. Were they raised by their parents? An Aunt or Uncle? Were they adopted? What was their home life like?

Azalea was raised in one of the farming settlements outside of Vesuvia.  She grew up with the fata morgana of Vesuvia on the horizon, and she was positively enchanted by it.  She was raised by her parents, Galen and Etoile Nevra.  Galen and Etoile were both traveling merchants (Etoile was also a performing magician) but settled down when they became pregnant with Azalea.  They would travel to Vesuvia a few times a year to visit Etoile’s sister Sylvane, who ran a magic shop in the city.  They were a close, tight-knit group.  There was laughter and song, excellent food, magic, and stories when the family was all together.  Sylvane was the one who taught Azalea magic and helped her hone her skills.  When Azalea was 5 and her hair turned grey, Sylvane saw it as a sign of great things.  Whenever Azalea would visit with her parents, Sylvane would teach her a few tricks to practice when she went back home to the farm.  On the next trip, Azalea would demonstrate her practicing to Sylvane, and then Sylvane would teach her more tricks.  Back on her home farm, Azalea was given a lot of freedom to play and explore.  She spent a lot of time climbing trees and rocky hillsides.   She was very close to her parents.  She helped them around the small farm and always waited anxiously for her father to return from hunting.  When Azalea was 11, a drought destroyed their farm and they lost their only source of income.  Galen and Etoile decided that they would resume being traveling merchants, letting Azalea stay with Sylvane while they were gone.  During this time, Sylvane helped Azalea build her magical gateway and explore deeper magic.  When Azalea was 13, she received news that her parents had been waylaid by bandits outside of the city and murdered.  Sylvane helped Azalea sell her family farm and put the money aside for her education.  She intended to attend the Magical University in Prakra.  Home life after her parent’s deaths was still full of love and understanding, yet splashed with tears.  She became even closer to Sylvane and helped her run the magic shop until Sylvane died from pneumonia when Azalea was 20.

Imalia was raised by her parents in her home country of Seyruun, in the northern hemisphere.  Her father, Vitalric Gabriev, was the 13th child of the Sorcerer King, and 12th in line for the Seyruun throne.  Her mother, Narsial Trevallan, was the middle daughter of a noble family.  Imalia spent her younger years in the palace with plenty of cousins to play with.  Since the royal family was entirely composed of sorcerers and sorceresses, Imalia followed in the family tradition and learned magic.  She always had a myriad of questions and went through several tutors who each got frustrated by her grilling.  Her home life wasn’t always happy, however.  Private time with her mother was always dreaded because Narsial (“Narsa”) was very demanding and controlling.  When Imalia was 12, she inherited the Demon Blood Talismans from her grandfather.  It was an immense honor because those talismans were passed to the most promising sorcerer(ess) in the family.  Less than a year later, most of the family, including the King and Queen, were murdered by assassins from a rival country.  The only survivors were Imalia, her mother and father, her uncle Reylor, and her cousin Dreen Suval.  Reylor became the new King of Seyruun, and Vitalric took his family and moved to Vesuvia to ensure the survival of the royal bloodline.  Once in Vesuvia, Imalia’s home life took a turn for the worst.  Vitalric buried himself in studying medicine since it wouldn’t be wise to use his powerful sorcery in a new place unaccustomed to such power, and he was massively depressed at the loss of his family.  Narsa saw their current situation as a massive downgrade and insisted on training Imalia to marry into a powerful Vesuvian family.  Abuse became a constant in Imalia’s life and it was well-hidden from Vitalric.  Imalia would frequently run from her home down to the docks to get into fights (one such occurrence leading to her meeting Asra and Muriel).  When she was 17, a visit to the docks became a nightmare when a fleet of pirate ships began to attack the city with catapults.  Seeing an opportunity to cut loose, Imalia begged Count Lucio to let her help.  She then proceeded to destroy the entire invading fleet with one massive spell.  Lucio was so impressed he offered her a boon.  She asked for passage into Prakra so that she could learn more magic.  Her father was thrilled, but her mother was livid, having lost control over Imalia.  However, while Imalia was gone for five years, Narsa dropped hints to Lucio that perhaps Imalia would be a good candidate for marriage since she was in fact a princess.  When Imalia returned at age 22, she did get into a relationship with Lucio that lasted almost three years.  But when that ended badly, she went to her father and finally told him of all the abuse Narsa had put her through.  Vitalric was stunned and deeply ashamed.  Imalia left to go resume her studies, and while she was away Vitalric divorced Narsa.

TWENTY-FIVE| Freebie. Tell the world something about your character!

Azalea never got to attend the Magical University in Prakra.  She died of the Red Plague before receiving her acceptance letter (which Imalia held on to)

Eeeee!  Thank you for letting me write about your charming ladies smooching mine!

“A Kiss for Luck”

“The fucking gall,” Imalia growled as she tightened the strap of her pauldron.  “Who the hell thinks they can actually attack a city full of magic users?!”

“Rogue mages,” Azalea answered simply.  “You know...like the ones marching outside the city.”

Imalia huffed.  “I’ve beaten rogue mages before, and I’ll do it again and again and again until word gets around that a FOUL TEMPERED ASS-WHOOPER lives here!!”

Azalea snorted, adjusting the fitted plate armor to her chest.  She stretched her arms out and tested their mobility.  She’d never worn armor before.  She had never needed to.

But this was a unique circumstance.  Her aqua and coral hair was tied back into a high ponytail that was braided.  She glanced over at Imalia and realized that the two of them looked a little too similar, since Imalia always wore her brown and burgundy hair in a high ponytail...but also like Imalia, Azalea now wore a headband with a magic seal emblazoned on it.  Imalia had explained why it was a good idea...if any spell needed to be sustained, the mark on the headband would take care of it.  Good for protection spells, or flying spells.  That freed up the hands and the mind for offensive magic.  And offensive magic would be vital for driving the invaders back.

There was a knock at the door.

“Come in!” Imalia said, reaching down to pick up a long red cloak with her family crest, the royal crest of Sayruun, embroidered on it.

The door opened and in walked two figures.  Two beautiful women, one with short blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin; and the other red-haired, green-eyed, and covered in constellation-like freckles, entered the room.  Both Azalea and Imalia brightened up.

“Andi!  Cleo!”

Andi gave a small wave.  “We wanted to see you two before you headed out.”

“And I wanted to do my duty and see if either of you needed to talk before you left,” Cleo added.

Imalia stood up straight and tall.  “I don’t know about Azzie, but I’m not worried.  This is just same-old same-old to me.”

“Not for me,” Azalea said quietly.  “I’ve never had to go to battle before.  Not like this.”

Imalia rested her arm on Azalea’s shoulder, leaning.  “And if you remember all of those badass spells I taught you, you will be just fine.”

“That’s another thing,” Andi said.  She walked up to Azalea and shyly held out her hand.  Azalea gently wrapped her hand around Andi’s and gave it a squeeze.  When Andi withdrew, she had left something in Azalea’s hand.  Azalea examined it, and felt a lump form in her throat.  It was an azalea flower.  There was the quiet thrum of magic energy emanating from it.

“Oh...Andi…” she said, her own blue and gold eyes glistening.

Andi smiled.  “It will protect you.”

Azalea reached forward and wrapped Andi in a tight hug.  “Thank you so much,” she whispered.  “I’ll keep it close.”

Imalia smiled at the two.  “Aww, you guys are so sweet.”

“Hey, you weren’t left out either, ma’am,” Cleo said, stepping directly in front of Imalia.  Imalia quirked an eyebrow and smirked, her crimson eyes flashing.

“Oooh, do I get a goodbye dance?” she said, waggling her eyebrows.

Cleo rolled her eyes.  “No, that’s for when you get back.”  She looked into Imalia’s eyes, all hints of mirth gone.  “I wanted you to have this.”

She took Imalia’s hand and slipped a gold ring on her finger.  In its setting was a single vivid blue stone that glowed brightly.

“It will always lead you home,” Cleo said softly.

Imalia hooked her index finger under Cleo’s chin and raised her face up to look into hers.

“I’m coming home.  Nothing in this world or any other can stop me.”  She gave a cocky grin.  “And if they try...well.  I hope they’ve made peace with whatever deity they pay homage to.”

Cleo smiled and wiped an errant tear from her eye.

“Tell me again why we have to stay behind?” Andi asked sadly.

“The best of us need to make sure the magical barrier stays up around the city,” Azalea said.  “You have to keep the people safe.  If the rogues get past us, you are all that stands between Vesuvia and destruction.”  She took Andi’s hand in her own and kissed her knuckles.  “We believe in you.  Make sure we have a home to return to.”

Andi nodded, now unable to keep the tears from her eyes.  “Please...stay safe.”

She reached over and pulled Azalea close, placing a soft and gentle kiss on her lips.

“For luck.”

Azalea smiled and let out a small sigh.  “Now I know we will win.”

Imalia looked at Cleo and gave her the most charming grin.

“I could use some luck too,” she said.

Cleo laughed, a sound that was pure music to Imalia’s ears.  Tucking a stray lock of red hair behind her ear, Cleo leaned forward...and suddenly felt light-headed as Imalia wrapped her arms around Cleo and dipped her, placing a very not chaste kiss on her lips.  Once Cleo was upright once more, she slapped Imalia’s shoulder.  She couldn’t hide the adorable blush that spread over her freckled cheeks.  Imalia laughed heartily.  She twirled the red cloak about her shoulders and fastened it to her armor.

w/Julian:  Reading.  They love to curl up together with a good book on any subject, fiction or non-fiction.  Usually Julian will sit in the comfy armchair that Azalea bought specifically for him, and she will sit in his lap and read to him.  Or they will lay on the bed, snuggled up together, and they will take turns reading.  And since Azalea is an aspiring writer, Julian will sometimes beg her to read her current progress on whatever she is working on.

w/Lucio:  (besides *ahem* personal time...) Sparring.  They are on different playing fields as far as fighting style, so when they spar they are actually getting some pretty good practice in.  Azalea is fast and squirmy, plus she’s a magician.  Lucio is a strong, high-energy swordsman.  Azalea may be fast, but Lucio can keep pursuing until she loses some steam.  Then their fighting skills come into play.  And points are kisses.  X3