Xolani

Summer somehow felt different in Ionia. ‘Perhaps it’s the lack of moisture in the air’, the princess pondered as she strolled through the small town. Her steps were filled with determination, she knew where her destination was. With a surprising amount of ease, she crossed a wooden bridge, her long silk dress dancing in the wind. It filled her with some pride to be able to walk this elegantly in heels.

  “The private elevater’s ready for ya, Boss.” a gruff stranger called out  to Sett. He grinned, soaking in the feeling of being back, and watching Xolani’s reaction eagerly. He gently placed one hand on her shoulder as he proudly waved his hand in front of them. “Welcome, Miss Xolani, to MY fighting pits.”

As they approached the old looking tavern, Xolani furrowed her eyebrows while eyeing the Vastaya. There was a mixture of curiosity and confusion in her gaze. Without a question she entered, stopping briefly in shock. It was incredible to see this many people from all over the world gathered in one place. “Wow…” Was all she could mutter as she followed him, almost falling behind in her astonished state.

The place reminded her of a palace of sort, with all the lavish decoration and the rich crowd gathered inside. What truly amazed the princess was the variety of drinks and objects. They were from different nations, not just Ionia. An Ixtali ornament would make for a nice addition.

Summer somehow felt different in Ionia. ‘Perhaps it’s the lack of moisture in the air’, the princess pondered as she strolled through the small town. Her steps were filled with determination, she knew where her destination was. With a surprising amount of ease, she crossed a wooden bridge, her long silk dress dancing in the wind. It filled her with some pride to be able to walk this elegantly in heels.

“Had a time where money was not as available as I would’ve liked. Makin’ money from fightin’s great, so I chose to do that. Made quite a bit of it too, might I add.” His grin crept back to his face. “Fighting brings out a part of ya that most people try to keep away. Watchin’ fights, fighting yourself, they both bring that out and people like it. Kinda like drinkin’, you know?” Putting it into words was harder than he anticipated, but it sounded about right.

“It was, wasn’t it?” She teased while chuckling to herself, feeling successful with her counterattack. She quieted down as his tone turned more serious. It was undeniable when looking at her face that his honesty surprised her. Empathy was not her strong suit though. At least not when she had to relate to money related issues. Growing up as royalty has blinded her thus, she struggled to understand what it was like for him before his success.

// sett + glasses = yes plz. @the-lesser-elementalist @the-ionian-brawler ,bless you both for this idea

Summer somehow felt different in Ionia. ‘Perhaps it’s the lack of moisture in the air’, the princess pondered as she strolled through the small town. Her steps were filled with determination, she knew where her destination was. With a surprising amount of ease, she crossed a wooden bridge, her long silk dress dancing in the wind. It filled her with some pride to be able to walk this elegantly in heels.

“Well off? I guess that’s a way to put it.” He chuckled and proudly dusted his vest proudly. “Let’s just say, money’s not an issue with me.” The streets were becoming country paths, darker, and more open. The way wasn’t far, but it was hidden behind a winding way. “What’re you expectin’ from the pits? Have you ever even seen proper fights?” He glanced at her, expectantly. If she knew how to fight, he’d want to know what experience she has that makes her so confident.

She huffed quietly, wondering if he could get any more frustrating with this ‘game’ of his. Constantly fishing for information without revealing anything vital about himself. He really started to remind her of a certain sibling.

“We do not have fighting pits where I come from, but we are trained in different ways.” Xolani replied but went quiet for a moment, wondering if perhaps she should mention how much Ixtali train their whole lives. In the end, she deemed it a bit unnecessary to reveal something that could potentially expose her origin. Though, he had most likely never heard of a place called Ixtal.

Summer somehow felt different in Ionia. ‘Perhaps it’s the lack of moisture in the air’, the princess pondered as she strolled through the small town. Her steps were filled with determination, she knew where her destination was. With a surprising amount of ease, she crossed a wooden bridge, her long silk dress dancing in the wind. It filled her with some pride to be able to walk this elegantly in heels.

Summer somehow felt different in Ionia. ‘Perhaps it’s the lack of moisture in the air’, the princess pondered as she strolled through the small town. Her steps were filled with determination, she knew where her destination was. With a surprising amount of ease, she crossed a wooden bridge, her long silk dress dancing in the wind. It filled her with some pride to be able to walk this elegantly in heels.

Summer somehow felt different in Ionia. ‘Perhaps it’s the lack of moisture in the air’, the princess pondered as she strolled through the small town. Her steps were filled with determination, she knew where her destination was. With a surprising amount of ease, she crossed a wooden bridge, her long silk dress dancing in the wind. It filled her with some pride to be able to walk this elegantly in heels.

She did not have the chance or time to address the warning, he was clearly not interested in replies or excuses. He seemed to be rather aware of the usual effectiveness of his threats, but she was not the type to show fear.

“See you tonight” She replied sweetly, her smile never wavering. It would take more than rough words to make her obey someone’s wishes, especially if that someone is full of himself.

__ __ __ __

send “you okay?” to find my muse crying

Those days were the worst… When he started to listen to Alune’s voice fade, their connection vanishing. Then he knew he would have to drink the Noctum’s poison once more, and every time he did, his body seem to weaken and the pain goes stronger.

But he does anyway. He was born to serve as a soldier, to be a weapon. He had no time to spend complaining about his fate. Yet, his strong resolution doesn’t makes the pain go away, so he tries to stay inside the temple where he trains during the next two days, until there’s no traceable feature of pain on his face.

At least there is no voice to cry suffering. His vocal cords are gone, and all one can listen is to his heavy breathe. His both hands are gripping tight to his stomach as the poison reach that part. His eyes close tight and there is some blood on his lips as he bites them, unaware of being hurting himself.

“Are you okay?” Those words seem to punch him in the face, and he quickly turn to look at the intruder. His gaze could turn Xolani into ashes, but only before Aphelios realizes her image is blurred by tears, which he wipes away angrily.

But suddently he drived his attention from his own body, focusing on the woman still standing behind him even after he denied her help. Associations came quickly; her light clothing and white hair reminded him of the ones living on the other side of the mountain, the Solari also had bronzed skin. And Aphelios dind’t needed anything else to form a wrong opinion about her.

No weapon at his reach, Alune wasn’t there to help him. The Lunari crawled to the nearest wall, fighting his own body to stand. Foolish enough to think he would be able to do something to protect himself if she tried anything. And she would try, of course, why a Solari would have any other reason to enter a Lunari temple if not to harm the ones inside?

“Go away.” He forced the voice out, knowing it would have a bad outcome, as it had happened every time before when he tried to talk. But this time it felt as if he had just swallowed a piece of burning iron. Both hands immediately grabbed the throat, as the young man fell on his knees, wishing he had no throat at all. He couldn’t scream, nor talk, nor breathe.

Yet, from what she could tell, he was merely unconscious. For a brief moment Xolani felt relief, only to be replaced with confusion and worry. For the life of her, she couldn’t figure out what to do.  Though he was not on the heavy side, it would be difficult for her to carry him.

She skimmed the enormous hall, hoping that someone might be there to help. However, it was just the two of them. It did not take long for her to realise that her options were quite limited.

Summer somehow felt different in Ionia. ‘Perhaps it’s the lack of moisture in the air’, the princess pondered as she strolled through the small town. Her steps were filled with determination, she knew where her destination was. With a surprising amount of ease, she crossed a wooden bridge, her long silk dress dancing in the wind. It filled her with some pride to be able to walk this elegantly in heels.

“Let go” She hissed at him as he dragged her, but he seemed to not hear or simply ignored her command. She huffed in annoyance as he stopped and released her arm, which was aching quite badly. His grip was no joke. The princess straightened her back, regaining her elegant posture while gently rubbing the hurting wrist. Her gaze never leaving his face.

It had been months since anyone spoke to her with such manner, or rather lack of. But she was rather certain that if he wanted to hurt her, he would have already. Thus, she waited for him to finish his rant, watching as he sized her up. Clearly, she was an exotic sight for him, but this did not surprise the Ixtali.

Words prompt

[ caught ]  for  your  muse  to  catch  my  muse  wearing  their  shirt.

Aphelios face turns red at the same instant and there’s nothing he can do to disguise it. Couldn't Alune have borrowed her something? She had a lot of dresses.

In turn, he held his head high, glancing down at her as if he were some sort of higher being of power. (Not too intimidating given his shorter height) “I am the Void’s Prophet, my dear. I am Malzahar. It is quite a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Xolani.” Another chuckle, right before he took a step back. The visions he had seen. He remembered her name from them.