#wingedruin

There was a lot you heard about Huá Xīncí yet only one knew all about her. As someone who preferred solitude in most cases, Luò Yírén could read her like an open book, the kindred sisters who probably learned how to walk and later how to fight together. On idle days like this one, Xīncí often found herself in deep thoughts and at times ( not to say always ), feet carried the young warrior to her friend, her arrival already announced.

Her usual attire was swept with something more elegant yet light, flowing robes that matched the woman's sophisticated appearance. The second Yírén appeared however, Xīncí almost threw herself at the other, their greetings often stunning the people around them ( who were not as used to it ). "Some days off and here you are again, spending them with me. Aren't you sick of me by now?" She nudged her sister in spirit, thought a small worry would always remain. Yírén was in many ways her other half. "I can't bear being stuck at home when my parents are arguing about marriage candidates and my career. Save me?"

An unmistakable crack of a whip aroused the still air, as Yóu Lánjìng mustered the meanest glare she could at the mother and son who had been heckling at her carriage for quite sometime. “Do you think I'm above hitting a woman?” They were slowly inching away, cowering, as she took several steps further. The deep blue lash dragged across the floor behind her and she appeared quite menacing. “Your son is thirty-six, unmarried and a complete playboy. It doesn't take a fortune teller to tell you he will never find a good match! He will remain without a bride and if you stick around long enough, I'll make sure he doesn't have his limbs, too.”

The normally composed and upbeat matchmaker could easily become something else if she was bothered enough. That much had become apparent by now. As the pair scuttled off, Lánjìng noticed a lingering presence and her head snapped in its direction to meet a soft and gentle face. “I'm sorry! Did I scare you?” Another complete rotation from the show she had just put on. There was a little hum that emitted from her, trying to find an excuse as she shoved her whip behind her, though its tail was still evidently dragging behind her.

“Are you looking for a matchmaker?” A servant appeared behind her, recoiling the weapon and hiding it, so their mistress could approach the stranger. The man was young and handsome with a seemingly a calm demeanor, especially given what he had just overheard from her. Not a single shiver in sight. There were certain things she could usually tell straight away, like if they were an obvious threat to womankind.

送给 · · · Lóng Hàoyǔ

@wingedruin・❥・a match for the matchmaker

Lóng Hàoyǔ was not looking for a matchmaker yet he was still found by one. To him such things seemed trivial but given his position it only made sense others would assume he would be looking for a worthy candidate. His elegant robe made Hàoyǔ indeed resemble a celestial being, graceful and almost too out of this world - expression remained rather unfazed, even when the cracking whip and vibrant voice filled the air. He watched the whole scene unfold, the complaining mother and her son to the matchmaker ( as it appeared ) who left no room for slandering her good name. The general and dragon in disguise had heard rumors of someone with otherworldly talent for pairing people up, seemingly divine and he had to admit, such a gift intrigued him for the mere notion of it. Impressed by her confidence and courage to stand up for herself, Lóng Hàoyǔ already held the stranger in high esteem as even a being like he himself would think twice about challenging her.

Once his presence was noticed, he offered a respectful nod and a calm smile, unbothered by the justified outburst as it had been her right to do so. Not everyone might see things this way - good thing not everyone had been around. "Rest assured, you did not," the man then responded, "If anything, I now know better to show you even more respect." Eyes caught the item from earlier being tugged away in secret yet he did not comment on it, amused by the swift change of demeanor. "I was about to ask if I could assist in any way but you handled it all on your own."

Liú Hàorán's mind was set. As he went through the several reports of the missing soldiers, none suggested that they deserted or were killed. They were simply ... gone. For a while, Qiángwěi followed the case out of curiosity yet when people began to vanish from the ministry as well or even the guards and soldiers stationed nearby, the matter turned into something far more serious than imagined. With all the reports scattered on his desk, the man furrowed his eyebrows, focused to find a clue, any clue that could lead him to the soldiers, soldiers who had family, soldiers who promised to return home at the end of the day. A sigh of frustration left the minister as he pinched the space between his brows when one detail caught his attention and Qiángwěi brought the paper closer. The next second he called an assistant to prepare horses for them both.

Usually, the fluffly orange cat followed her nose when choosing her way to go around the city. It didn't matter much where it carried her as long as by the end she got to sink her fangs in a tasty morsel. This time, however, her paws were leading her to a very precise place. It almost felt as if a red string was pulling her towards a meeting long overdue.

The sky was darkening with a promise of a rain and the few people who roved about the city were hurrying home . The cat passed by a group of women weaving bamboo containers and a bunch of children climbing onto their tiptoes by a stall which sold tanghulu. A little girl from the crowd crouched by the road and spread her arms upon noticing the cat, but the animal jumped to the other side of the street, gracing her with no more than a glance.

Her ears finally picked up the faint melody and she took a sharp turn. She created a shortcut by jumping over the wall into the garden and from there she practically ran towards a zither player. It's not her first time here. She did watch the beautiful musician play before from a safe distance, frequently lazying on top of the wall, eyes crincled contently as she allowed herself to get lost in the music.

This time the cat didn't stop there. She ran over with a gentle meow and rubbed herself against the leg of the table to greet the performer.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ─────꩜ 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 ꩜─────

Hiding in the stables after spending most of the night running away from castle guards. Lunara is gravely injured and malnourished. Dressed in a sack of potatoes and stolen boots.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ─────꩜ 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐌𝐄 ꩜─────

(*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ*.ﾟ @wingedruin

Lu didn’t know how long they’d been lying there on the ground. Could have been days, or merely hours, but it felt better than the cell they’ve spent the last couple of months in. A cold draft woke them from slumber and they almost wished the ground would swallow them up. They couldn’t feel their body beyond the aches and every move felt almost criminal to take. But they couldn’t linger there for too long. Though they hid well within the stall of the abandoned stable, they knew someone was sure to come looking for them. If they hadn’t found them already, and their mind simply hadn’t caught up to the punishments that would followed. 

Stretching their fingers to ensure the hay beneath them was not an optical illusion, they gripped onto a bale tightly. Breathing quickly turned more comical and they allowed themself a sigh of relief. A laugh of victory which quickly turned pained and hoarse as the dryness in their throat forced a nasty cough from them. Shutting their eyes tightly, they took a deep breath and forced themselves onto their elbows before hoisting their body into a sitting position as best as they could manage to rest against the wall.  Taking note of the brightness in the space, they figured there to be a couple more hours of light before night fell. Enough time for them to gather strength before making their way back to the woods. 

Resting their head against the wall, Lunara closed their eyes and listened to the wind and the call of nature beckoning their return. How long had it been then? Had the sky turned to night? Their eyelids were too heavy to lift, and had they not heard the crunching of footsteps on the snow outside, they probably wouldn’t have bothered too. But their senses quickly heightened, and adrenaline made goosebumps flared their skin. Gathering themselves tightly into a ball, they hoped to blend into the scene. Their breath dipping to a dangerous silence where nothing but the beat of their organs were audible in their form. 

running  away  had  felt  like  signing  their  death  warrant  in  the  faelands. 

she  could  feel  his  warmth  beside  her  in  the  bed,  the  way  he  breathed  ⸻  gods,  it  did  give  her  some  sort  of  comfort  to  know  he  was  there  with  her,  alive  and  well.  as  well  as  they  could  be.  still,  the  restless  waters  mirrored  how  restless  her  mind  now  was.  ariella  slowly  moved  from  the  rickety  bed,  grabbing  her  emerald  shawl  from  nearby  and  wrapping  it  ‘round  her  shoulders.  quietly,  she  creeped  up  the  ladder,  peering  from  below  to  make  sure  it  was  not  storming  outside  ⸻  it  wasn’t,  thankfully.  ariella  was  desperate  for  some  fresh,  sea  air. 

the  ship's  deck  was  quiet,  everyone  taking  the  chance  for  some  rest  while  they  could.  it  made  it  calming,  even  though  the  sea  was  not.  she  let  her  body  follow  the  sway  of  the  ship,  as  she  moved  to  sit  on  the  staircase  leading  to  the  ship's  wheel.  the  moonlight  shone  down,  but  barely  illuminated  the  dark  sea.  it  was  both  mesmerizing  and  haunting.  in  the  silence,  the  fae  was  wondering  if  they  made  the  right  decision. 

By his lonesome self, in this lavishly decorated and perfumed room, Ning Yi was about to down the wine bottle without care. He wasn't here to watch the ladies, beautiful as they are, but to avoid Xin Ziyan's naggings about the conflicts in their thought processes.

Yet, the one who entered seemed to be here to entertain him in a different way.     ❛ Eh, it's you, Ru–jie ? ❜     Child-like greeting accompanied with a brilliant smile, Ning Yi let go of the wine bottle. The joy displayed belied a confusion underneath: Why would anyone need the ear of Chu-wang, the unwanted Prince? And just like that, he closes the distance of their ranks by waving his hand forward,     ❛ Oh, don't be so serious ! Come and sit beside me. Though I am just a wasteful little Prince, money is something I definitely have ! ❜     Ning Yi plays along on the assumption that her business matters involved money, though he felt in the air that it probably wasn't about money at all.     ❛ Alright, tell me how much you need ? I'll rent another pair of ladies, and tip all of them greatly ! ❜ Does his frivolous lifestyle give her pause about asking for his assistance on anything else ?