#plerxma

                                 “  angst   “    starters     /    accepting

The implication that Ardyn Lucis Caelum could be wrangled earned an amused little titter and she apologetically waved her hand as if to excuse the reaction. It must have felt like trying to hold water, constantly spilling over cupped palms and draining through fingers — she understood it well. They were, after all, brothers.

"Oh, it won't be a problem managing them." Aerith answered in confidence. She reached to take up and wrap both her hands around Aera's. The hold suggested familiarity and comfort as though they had always been friends. "Those Caelum's will have to watch themselves around us."

She flashed a grin as she closed her eyes for a beat, gently untangling her hold from the Oracle as she straightened her posture again. Of course she understood how privileged she was to intermingle with royalty and nobles, her life had been so suddenly flipped into a tumble of change and she was still finding her footing in these new social circles... But it was people like Aera who made navigating the change easier. Not made to feel different. Or lowborn. Common. Just another person.

❝ tell me that that is not the finest wine that has ever touched your tongue. ❞

The worn leather of these chronicles tell half of the stories, well-preserved and handed down with care many times until now reaching his hands. The last more journal  stitched together from notes and precious thoughts penned in raw emotion than book already gave him a hint what it’d reveal to him, but eager as he was to delve into it, it had to wait, saved for last. “You didn’t need to, Aera. My birthday was already the happiest it could be with you.” Sincere words of admiration and love, clumsy as they were chosen, still reached her through a smile of his. 

Bridgerton starters . accepting

Aera’s words left her curved lips in such an affectionate tone that Lilian couldn’t help but mirror her smile. The other woman had been nothing short of tireless in her endeavors to make sure that the orphans in Lestallum had at least a modicum of comfort and love even if they had lost their parents and beloved ones to the vicious daemons that roamed Eos outside of the few safe spots in the world, such as their town.

The Madhu was but a small restaurant during the time where sunlight was real and not a memory – now, after the eternal night had taken over, it had turned into the headquarters for the efforts to keep children fed and healthy, particularly those without any living family members or guardians around.

Lilian had started it herself – she knew how hard it could be, arriving as a stranger to a foreign land and fearing for your life, although it barely compared to her own case from decades ago, even if she had fled from a real war. It was her way to contribute a little, since she could not fight, had no medical experience and could forge no weapons – she was all but useless at the frontlines, so she kept to the backstage.

And Aera was a welcome addition to the mostly female team that played an important part as the surrogate mothers, sisters and aunts to so many little souls that needed their guidance. And even if she didn’t know a lot about Aera’s former life prior to her arrival to Lestallum, it was evident how suited she was for the task – there was a gentleness to her words, a way to connect to others that Lilian had rarely seen before.

It was magnetic – her presence soothed the loudest kids and the worst trouble-makers; Lilian had to admit that even her, a grown-up woman, felt more at ease with the blonde around. And as she saw one of the orphans giggle and return Aera’s embrace before leaving the restaurant to play with her friends, she couldn’t help but chuckle as well.

Birthday barrage || @plerxma 

He genuinely hasn’t expected a gift on such a day, especially not from her. Though Aera might always remain prevalent and superior in his dark withered heart, the ages that passed had placed a rift that... even he could not explain. He could no longer read her as he once did. His mind was muddled and genuine thoughts replaced with curious ponderings. He wanted to believe that some part of her still held fondness for him, but he doubted. 

Yet, there she was, a gift presented to him. He carefully removed the layers of tissue paper, interest on his face-- and he stared at what was within, soft fabric unfolding and draping across his palms. 

A Meme Long Lost On The Dash | no longer accepting | @plerxma​

Of all the people to state such a thing to him, why did it have to be her? Ravus grimaced slightly, then nodded, slowly, his eyes lowering to stare idly at the ground. Whatever struggles he endured or weight that he carried, it felt like nothing compared to what Aera need have faced in her lifetime. 

“I suppose so,” he whispered, brows knit. “I cannot imagine... That is, what you have seen and aided in-- what I peril through must seem so insignificant by your standards.” In a way, it was like comparing apples to oranges. They both battled in their own times, in their own ways. 

What was she implying, however? Was she trying to encourage him to share his burdens with her? No, Ravus would not do that. Aera had seen too much in the grand scheme of things. Plus, she was family. It was his unspoken and self-declared duty to keep her safe in whatever ways he could.