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Post by πΎππππππππ on Mar 31, 2021 16:35:26 GMT -5
Tieran
Tieranβs jaw clenched and unclenched for what seemed the thousandth time; in all honesty, she was surprised her facial muscles were still semi-functioning, and hadnβt devolved into some weird gelatinous, unstructured mess, leaving her looking like some strangely bedazzled zombie. The atmosphere around her was upbeat and joyous, and numerous colors and sights danced across her visual field, but Tieran was far from comfortable. It was quite clichΓ© really β a princess who hated being forced into formal events. Still, Tieranβs devotion to her family outweighed her absolute dislike of social gatherings, and so she was there, in the midst of a ball, at least physically.
The palace that she found herself in was as gaudy and extravagant as anything sheβd expect of the family that owned it. The Illusionists had a reputation of being ratherβ¦ flaunting of their wealth, which wasnβt surprising β there was quite a lot of it. Add to the fact that most of the family β at least the high ranking ones β were gifted in the matters of physical appearances and the changing of them, well, you ended up with a group of people who were absolute intent on presenting a certain front to the rest of the solar system. The palace was built to impress, and to another person, who wasnβt so jaded as Tieran, it likely had that effect. Strings of little lights and flowers gave a sort of whimsical, but still elegant, air to the party. Hundreds β if not thousands β of guests loitered about, engaging in conversation. Numerous couples were dancing to the music produced by the live band, while still others were awed by the various illusions that were on display. Near Tieran was a large fountain, decorated with floating candles, lily-pads, and sycophants. She swore she could feel a headache beginning between her temples.
Where was Aever? Theyβd made a pact to try and remain close to each other, but heβd vanished, just like the large majority of Tieranβs patience. Her dark gaze darted through the party-goers, looking for one face in particular. She did not spot him immediately, and her irritation only grew when a group of young men wandered over her, clearly seeking to flirt. She tried to remain polite, but it was an effort. Finally, when sheβd grown sick of their fawning, she cocked her head to the side, and began to rattle off questions that were decided to confuse and unsettle β mostly about Tieranβs own area of expertise, that being technology. How do you think we should solve the problem presented in diminishing returns, especially when it comes to travel over long distances and fuel consumption? Donβt you think itβs going a bit too far by interfering in the lifespan of the various mechanical lifeforms here on Vesta? Shouldnβt we let them evolve as they naturally would, or is it the right idea to interfere and force a technological evolution? Clearly unnerved and confused, the men eventually wandered off. Exhaling in relief, Tieran smoothed her hands down the sides of her dress, and resumed her search for her wayward elder brother.
Like most of her family, Tieran was dressed in a color palate that involved a lot of greys and silvers. Her gown tonight was a silver as pale as the moon upon which they stood; it hugged her form in all the right places, before flaring out just beneath her knees to form a train that seemed to pool around her, giving the illusion that she was almost floating. The coloration of the gown also seemed to highlight the color of her hair and eyes, making them seem even deeper in shade. Her make-up was light, but designed to enhance her appearance. Of course it was; that was the whole reasoning behind the ball, wasnβt it? To pair off the eldest children of both the Illusionists and Vanishers. Much to Tieranβs dismay, that included her.
So, technically, in a round-about way, this party was her engagement party. And she hated it.
She hated it. Hated what she was being forced to do. Hated that she was being married off, as if she was little more than livestock β as if her own wants, needs, desires and dreams meant little.
There was a reason behind it, of course; political marriages always had a reason. Tieranβs gaze drifted towards the Illusionist queen, her dark gaze boring into the elder female with an unerring intensity. She hated the Illusionist matriarch, almost as much as she hated that she was being forced into this position, but she couldnβt refuse. The union of their families was necessary to save the galaxy, and that was what the Vanishers stood for.
Sure, Tieran could refuse. It wasnβt as though they could entirely force her into anything.
But her dedication to her family, to the oath theyβd taken, outweighed her own personal reservations. Sheβd do what her family required of her, even if it meant giving up everything sheβd ever looked forward to in life. Even if it meant giving up her lab and her freedom.
There! She spotted Aever, and exhaled in relief. She rapidly began to approach her brother, but slowed when she noticed another female near him, seemingly trying to get his attention. Her eyes narrowed. Considering that Aever was the only human she really tolerated, she was protective of him. But he was a grown man who could take care of himself, and so she forced herself to stop moving, and to let Aever handle whatever situation was unfolding on his own.
In the meantime, she could really use a drink.
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Mar 31, 2021 19:17:22 GMT -5
[ lol ]
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Post by Starchaser on Mar 31, 2021 19:45:03 GMT -5
{ Oh, this looks very fun so far. I may be able to get some starters up tonight. Now, do I want sibling or in-law interactions? Decisions, decisions. }
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Post by willowflower on Mar 31, 2021 21:48:20 GMT -5
((hehe aw thank u glow! junai also just wants to be snuggled and protected from the world ;.; sheβs doing her best
i am also excited for tieran, i so want to talk to her about her thoughts on the moral implications of humankind attempting to force technological evolution
alrighty now for the chaotic duo, whose forms i finally updated; i didn't plan on going so overboard with their interactions, i just wanted georgina to make an appearance in embere's starter so that i didn't have to write a starter for her, but hahaa things ran away from me a tiny bit))
-- βΌ -- EMBERE -- βΌ --
Embere was bored.
The young cyborg was perched on top of the Vanisherβs carriage - one of them, at least - twirling a throwing knife around on his thumb. The silver-plated horses manning the front whickered, their eyes glowing silver. One of them had been acting up before the journey to Vesta, and since the big dumb horse got herself attached to Embere, he got carted along for the ride to soothe the darn thing and make sure her core processing wasnβt going to misfire and explode. During Silveretteβs checkups throughout, Embere couldnβt find anything seriously damaged - quite the miracle, really, considering that the mechanical horse went and drank a whole barrel of grape juice before the trip.
βYouβre lucky youβre pretty,β heβd said to her. Silverette just tossed her mane and tried to eat the nearest beehive.
When they finally got there and Embere was like, so what am I supposed to do? I didnβt bring no fancy shmancy clothes and his answer was a shrug and a wait out here and make sure the horses donβt malfunction.
Cool cool cool. They couldnβt have dropped him off at a five-star inn or whatever. Had him wait out in the cold while they were off living it up in some decked-out garden. Honestly, Embere was really starting to consider sneaking in and stealing himself a drink. He was no party guy, but that garden sure sounded interesting.
βWhy, arenβt you looking dour, young man.β
Embere jolted at the elderly voice and nearly stabbed himself in the eye. βWhat,β he said, looking down at an old lady smiling serenely at him. She was wearing a snazzy little top buttoned all the way up and clean slacks - a nice thing to wear to something like a wedding, but nothing nearly as bedazzling as the party guests inside.
βYou look like youβve got something on your mind,β said the old lady. Her voice was raspy and low, but weirdly soothing, like the mechanical hum of a generator or the faint buzz of a bajillion bees. βDo you want to talk about it with olβ Gran Georgina?β
Embere looked to the left, then the right, then back down. βWhat.β
βI have cookies,β said Gran Georgina.
This gave Embere pause, then suspicion returned to smack him in the face full-force. βUh, mm, no thanks,β he said, hopping off the carriage. βIβn just gonna, uhhh, crash this here party.β
βOh, wonderful!β Gran Georgina said. βIβll come with you.β
βYou really donβt have to,β Embere said. βI think Iβm going to sneak in the back way? Into the garden? Over the wall?β
βThat sounds like an absolute delight,β said Gran Georgina. βWhat an adventure! I wonder what new friends we can make along the way - that young carriage driver over there is an absolute sweetheart, by the way, apparently they never had a good relationship with their dadβ¦β
βUghhhh,β Embere said, making sure that his annoyed groan was very audible in the gloom.
βMy dear, have you ever given thought to how to improve your life?β
βSmashing my head through the wall and ending this conversation seems like a very good start,β said Embere. Unfortunately, the pair had come to the wall, and already Gran Georgina was pushing at his shoulder.
βCome dear, help a grandma up over the wall.β
It was then Embere started regretting his life choices, whatever horrible set of coincidences and bad decisions led to this very moment, where he was helping an old lady commit trespassing. He couldnβt find it in him to really shove her off, though, just grumbled as he knelt on one knee so that she could clamber onto him, then pushed her foot up so that she could hop onto the top of the wall. Somehow, she made the climb with the agility of a cat, and perched at the top with her hands behind her back.
Embere waited. She waited. Realizing Gran Georgina was going to make no effort to help him up, Embere tilted his head back in a loud βUGH!β before using the indents in the stone wall and the thick ivy that crawled across its face to fumble his way up. Youβd think his prosthetic hook would help him in that endeavor, but nooo. When he finally got up there, huffing and puffing, Gran Georgina was gazing at the garden with a peaceful look on her face.
βWhat a beautiful place to start a riot,β she said.
βWhat?β
βNothing, dear. Help a fragile old elder down?β
The process of going back down the wall had Gran Georgina hopping down like a spry old robin and Embere topping flat on his face in the dirt. By the time he looked back up, his mechanical eye erratically blinking the dirt out of itself, Gran Georgina was gone.
βOh flip me,β he muttered, staggering to his feet and brushing down his shirt. Well. Time to go find a drink he guessed.
((they have been set loose in the garden))
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Post by Starchaser on Mar 31, 2021 21:53:58 GMT -5
{ Chaotic duo, huh? This might be a job for Alanta. }
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Post by willowflower on Mar 31, 2021 21:58:02 GMT -5
((yus, bring her in!! a chaotic trio mayhaps?
also chrys and alanta's powers are so neat))
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Post by Starchaser on Mar 31, 2021 22:05:57 GMT -5
{ A chaotic trio sounds delightful! Alanta is happy to do something that will stir up some trouble. My starters tend to take a while, but I'll try to throw her your way soon c:
Thanks! I was playing with a few ideas, but I think I like how they turned out so far. Embere and Georgina sound really fun. }
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Post by willowflower on Mar 31, 2021 22:36:30 GMT -5
((heck yeah, i'm super excited! and ty, they're super fun to write!))
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Mar 31, 2021 23:29:03 GMT -5
( Tieranβs a big fan of waxing philosophically about the ethical implications and ramifications of poking your nose where it shouldnβt be )
( also, chaotic grandma is a treasure )
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ββΠΎΟ
Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄
α΄Ιͺα΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄α΄ α΄xα΄α΄α΄α΄ α΄Ι΄ α΄α΄Κα΄Κ Κα΄sΙͺΙ΄α΄ss
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Post by ββΠΎΟ on Apr 1, 2021 0:26:58 GMT -5
[ Aight I'mma respond tomorrow (early in the day) because I had a stressful interaction earlier and my brain is still scattered lol ]
[ Anyway, Starchaser came up with a really cool idea for a planet in the solar system that was already destroyed by the world eaters! I'll post a more detailed description on the main page once we get some more details ironed out. Basically it'll be a planet that has all these holes blown clean through it, and since then it's been covered in all of these vines and spooky creatures (including world eaters?). So if you all have any ideas related to that, let us know! ]
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Apr 1, 2021 12:05:56 GMT -5
( ugh I have to get up so early tomorrow. Fml )
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Bisexual
ratvich
um cheesed to meet you?
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Post by ratvich on Apr 1, 2021 12:08:49 GMT -5
[ooh looking forward to the new planet :0c !! also i finally submitted sinica so he's open if anyone want to interact]
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ββΠΎΟ
Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄
α΄Ιͺα΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄α΄ α΄xα΄α΄α΄α΄ α΄Ι΄ α΄α΄Κα΄Κ Κα΄sΙͺΙ΄α΄ss
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Post by ββΠΎΟ on Apr 1, 2021 14:14:34 GMT -5
Aever was so immersed in watching that he forgot he had ears. The soft βexcuse meβ failed to catch his attention until his overstimulated synapses finally relayed the message a second too late. βExcuse me. Youβre standing on my book.β He lifted his foot before even looking to see where the voice had come from.
He reached down and picked it up, turning it over in his hands before finally locating the source of the request. She was a young, full-figured woman in a wheelchair. She had a pleasant, kind face and braided hair with flowers woven into it. βPoetry,β he commented, trying to make light of the situation. A twinge of guilt tightened in his chest. The poor girl looked like the last place she wanted to be was in a ballroom, and here he was stomping on her reading material. βThis is a good one,β he added, as he handed it back to her. Frankly he didnβt claim to be much of a reader, but he did have the patience for poetry. It just so happened that that very book was on his bedside table back home. He could usually get through a few stanzas every night before dozing off.
Aever leaned against the column once more. The girlβs eyeline was quite a bit lower than his own, and his posture remained relaxed as he met her gaze.
Only then did he realize where he had seen her earlier that night, sitting at the table of the queen and all her children. Was she? His back straightened as all of the rumors about the Illusionists flooded into his brain. Some of his soldier friends joked that the Illusionists were never as they seemed, that they were all leathery-skinned goblins who could read minds. Logically, he knew these rumors were mostly propaganda. After all, the illusionists owned half of the galaxy. It was no surprise that they had a lot of enemies. But he couldnβt help having a natural skepticism; all that he had seen that night had pointed to the rumors having some truth. The wealth was certainly there, and the dazzling, untrustworthy beauty.
This young woman did not emit the same eerie light as the queen and the fountain nymphs. She seemed normal, almost modest, were it not for her extravagant blue tulle dress. His first instinct was to befriend her. Her round cheeks and dark eyes were the image of sweetness. But was that all part of the trick? He didnβt know what to believe anymore. If she really was an Illusionist, he resolved to be on his guard.
He supposed she would guess who he was. His outfit would give it away if nothing else, with his familyβs sigil embroidered above his breast pocket, and the telltale slate gray of the fabric. Unlike the Illusionists, the Vanishers tended to dress practically. Their gray military garb was the same as any foot soldier, just more finely tailored and well-kept. That had been the motivation behind the uniforms to begin with: The Vanishers travelled all across the world, often alone. When they arrived in a new place it was important that they could be identified. It made them seem more trustworthy, because they were consistent with how they looked and behaved.
His silhouette recalled his father, with his slender, broad-shouldered form. But his complexion and his face were all Jelena. Like most of his siblings, he had inherited her warm-toned skin and her tightly curled hair. Tonight Aever had put a little extra care into his appearance. His hair was neatly braided, with no flyaway curls. His shoes were polished and his trousers freshly pressed.
βMy name is Aever,β he said, and he extended his hand for her to shake. βI saw you earlier with the queen.β He didnβt ask the question, but it was written all over his face. Are you one of them?
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ββΠΎΟ
Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄
α΄Ιͺα΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄α΄ α΄xα΄α΄α΄α΄ α΄Ι΄ α΄α΄Κα΄Κ Κα΄sΙͺΙ΄α΄ss
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Post by ββΠΎΟ on Apr 2, 2021 13:48:38 GMT -5
[ Oh I forgot to mention that Dev is open! So I'll rp with anyone who wants her. Also I'm happy to plot if anyone wants to do that c:! One idea I had was that Chaos Grandmaβ’ (willowflower) could try to kidnap a royal or something to stop them from interfering with the World Eaters? And then of course we can also have an incident which inspires some of them to leave the party and try to hunt down the WEs ]
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Post by Starchaser on Apr 2, 2021 13:52:33 GMT -5
{ I was thinking of tossing Chrys at Dev, because sibling interactions are my jam, and I'm excited to explore their dynamic. Also, since Alanta was already going to form a chaotic trio with Granny Georgina and Embere, maybe she could be the one. I'm fine with whatever though, just thought I'd offer up my characters for various ideas c:
Also, also: I am finally going to start working on starters. }
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Post by Starchaser on Apr 2, 2021 21:57:18 GMT -5
{ So sorry my posts are taking a while, everyone! I'm just having trouble writing right now, but I still hope to have them up sometime tonight. }
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Apr 3, 2021 12:29:26 GMT -5
( *yawn* )
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Post by Starchaser on Apr 3, 2021 14:35:32 GMT -5
{ I am so sorry for the wait on this! I don't know why, but I just can't write something I like lately :/ Here it is anyways though, and Alanta's up next. Hopefully my posts will improve from here on out though. I wrote most of this really late (or early) yesterday, so apologies about the quality and lack of direction. I don't know how, but it's simultaneously super long and says nothing. My condolences.
I'm not too happy with the headers either, but I figured writing the post has taken long enough, so I'm not dwelling on my artistic merit, or lack thereof. I'll probably tweak them later. }
Vesta was partially locked in eternal night, though it never really seemed dark, notable more for its elysian gardens and ethereal beauty than the marked barrenness of the moon's light side. The brilliant glimmer of its cities could be seen all the way from space, a beacon to all others in the solar system. That was the idea, at least. The Illusionists represented the very best of what people could aspire to achieve, to be. The cities might have glowed, but it was the Illusionists who made Vesta truly luminous. And that night certainly was resplendent.
The palace was ornately decorated, the marble floors polished to a shine, and intricate arrangements of bioluminescent flowersβfresh from the villa's own gardens, of courseβwere scattered about the ballroom. Shadows draped the party from all angles, mimicking the void of space that encompassed their existence, but the main event was filled with a soft radiance. Multicolored lights in dreamy hues were strung between columns, along with shimmering silken fabrics, and elaborately jeweled garnitures. Paper lanterns drifted among the crowds, candlelight dancing across their features.
Then there were the people, who themselves brought a certain luster to the event. Chrysophon was plenty used to mingling with the finest associates the galaxy had to offer, but he had never seen quite such a collection. Everything from their appearances, to their outfits, to their speech was tailored to dazzle. Chrys found his eye drawn by the elegant fashions and cosmetics more than once. Even for the Illusionists, whose parties were characteristic of their extravagance, the affair stood out as impressive. Of course, Chrys knew that mere adornment could not completely account for the palace's wonder. Magic drifted among them, if one knew what to look for.
As an Illusionist himself, Chrys recognized his family's powers more easily than mostβthe subtle oneiric cast that danced in the air, the luminous quality of their person, the way peoples' eyes seemed to trace their movement even when they simply passed by. The ballroom was made to feel warm and inviting. Their visitors would not be able to help but feel content and awestruck. It was the Illusionist abilities that gave the party it's larger-than-life, celestial atmosphere. Certainly, the night would live on in their guests' memories as an almost otherworldly experience. It had already morphed into something hazy and immaterial for Chrys. Though that may have had more to do with the copious amounts of champagne at his disposal.
After elaborate welcomes were given, and the general bustle died down, Chrys had allowed himself the luxury of actually enjoying the party rather than just attending it. As one of the eldest royal heirs, it was his job to be proper and polite, setting an example for his siblings to follow and showing the galaxy's residents that the family really was quite personable and trustworthy. He should have been entertaining guests, regaling them with delightful tales and sparkling conversation. He could have done it too. Chrysophon hardly had to try. If the guests weren't immediately taken by him, he need only flash a charming grin and line his voice with gold, and they'd be entranced. But why shouldn't he be entertained by them as well?
This was his party too. It was meant to celebrate the union between his family and the Vanishers. Even if the political bond wasn't supported by everyone, Chrys didn't plan on wasting his night worrying. He had found himself at the center of the room, standing beside a fountain amidst a group of nymphs. The nymphs had a similar effect on people that Chrys did, so perhaps that was why they seemed drawn together. They were certainly more fun than most of the guests, their interactions filled with mirthful chatter and meaningless flirtation. It was all a game, Chrys knew, but such a fun one.
Were his mother paying more attention, Chrys wondered if she might have been displeased with his audacious behavior, given he was going to be married off soon and have his freedom snatched awayβ Ahem, finally take on a role where he could fully serve the solar system. It was an honor. Perhaps she would have had a point. Chrys supposed foregoing interactions with his betrothed and future in-laws in favor of dallying wasn't the best way to bond the families. As it were though, the queen was far more preoccupied with entertaining the palace's most esteemed guests. All the better in Chrys's mind. Less of a hassle for him. He deserved to have a good night. There'd be plenty of time for getting acquainted with the Vanishers later on.
As his twinkling words elicited another round of giggles from Chrys's company, he happened to glance out at the rest of the party, gaze catching on one of the party's most obscure guests. With his slate gray uniform and serious face, he couldn't have been anyone other than a Vanisher. Even at a party they looked and acted drab. Do they even know how to enjoy themselves? he couldn't help but wonder. Chrys thought he recognized the man from earlier. The eldest of the Vanisher heirs. So Junai's fiancΓ©, in that case. Based on first impressions alone, Chrys didn't envy her. Hopefully his betrothed would be more interesting.
One of the nymphs had leaned over to whisper pretty nothings in Chrys's ear, and while a smile graced his features at her comment, it was the sight of Junai speaking to the Vanisher that really had his focus. While the Illusionists demanded attention, and were impossible to miss, the Vanishers seemed to have the opposite effect. It was as though they wanted to be invisible. Whether that made Chrys amused or distrustful of them, he wasn't completely certain. Though he had long mastered the art of masking his true emotions, Chrys felt a catch in his heart as he watched them talk. No, he didn't dread the coming unions as much as he knew some did, but there was still a certain... anxiety he attributed to the idea. It was less for himself though, and more for the implications on his entire family's future.
Glancing back towards where most of his family was seated, Chrys noted a distinct absence. Of all his siblings, Deverah had been the most adamantly against the idea of the families' joining. Their mother had quite the challenge just getting her to the party that night. And now she'd up and left. After she promised to be there. Well that just wasn't right.
With a rueful smile, Chrys turned to face the nymphs once more. The speaker had painted a very enticing picture, but Chrys couldn't spend the entire night playing the wayward prince. He had responsibilities now, right? Despite their playfully dramatic protests, he bid the nymphs farewell, winks and blown kisses trailing after him.
Chrys made his way through the crowds, who created a path for him seemingly without even realizing it. Such was the power of the Illusionists. If anyone noticed the departure of yet another one of the family's heirs, they didn't comment, and Chrys made it out to the courtyard unchallenged. He ambled through the gardens without pause to take in the familiar beauty, the quiet sounds of nature so different from the lively din of the party. He didn't have to go far to find Devarah. In a way, Chrys had already known where she would have gone.
"You know this is supposed to be a celebration, right?" Chrys called out, footsteps clattering against stone as he followed the trail to the water's edge.
Settling on the ground beside Devarah, he continued, "I won't stand for sulking at my own engagement party. Then, I suppose you'll get right on with them if you keep it up." Of course, the them in question need not be stated. Their family's long-standing rivalry with the Vanishers was known throughout the galaxy, nearly legendary at that point, and everyone had their own opinions about the royal families. Who was wealthier, more powerful, more worthy, or just plain better. And now they were being forced to join forces, all because there was finally a threat great enough to pose challenge to them both. To the entire solar system. And, somehow, here he was caught in the middle of it.
A group of fish scurried just beneath the surface of the pool, scattering flashes of light in their wake. Chrys didn't look at his sister as he spoke, stead opting to stare into the depths of the water, almost indistinguishable from the sky above them in the darkness. "I know you're disappointed that I'm getting more attention than you now, but it would just be too hard to marry you off. We want to form an alliance with the Vanishers, not drive them away." His tone was light in jesting, but it faded slightly as he said, "You don't have to make yourself miserable over it though."
After a beat of silence, Chrys finally glanced over at Devarah, light from the moon glistening on her tear-tracked face. He could have made it right. It wasn't that he needed the right words, he just had to say them in the right way, but Chrys wasn't in the habit of using his powers on his own family. Especially not Devarah. It was all well and good to use their abilities to sway certain situations and people, but they wouldn't do that to each other. It just wasn't the same as making things truly right. Normally organic conversations didn't phase him, but away from the revelry, Chrys was finding himself at an unusual loss. Maybe that stemmed from his own mindset. The prince let out a defeated sigh. "Come on, Dev, it's not that bad," he insisted. "I don't mind it much."
A contemplative rumble emanated from the surrounding darkness, voicing dubiousness without words. Chrys hadn't given their great-grandfather much though before, though he'd known Grandfather Mors would be around. For a dragon, however, he had always been unassuming. His presence was reassuring rather than imposing. It was why his siblings so often sought him out when they were dealing with some kind of turmoil.
Though he remained silent, Chrys knew his grandfather was sifting through his thoughts. He had buried any worries he had deep beneath conviviality and a veneer of insouciance, but no one could hide much from Grandfather Mors. Even now, he was surely finding the cracks in Chrys's carefully-constructed barrier, reading his doubts and secret fears plainly as if he'd spoken them out loud. He turned to briefly glare into the shadows, posing a silent challenge. Chrys could do without his silent suffering being exposed.
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Post by willowflower on Apr 3, 2021 16:30:04 GMT -5
((ooh, i love the idea of a planet wrecked by the world eaters! are the vines the only thing holding it together? vine creatures? shadow creatures of despair? iβd love to visit that planet!
also, i like the idea of Gran Georgina (attempting to) kidnap Atlanta - sheβll probably lure her in with cookies lol
i def think it would make the most sense for Gran to try stealing one of the eldest royals to throw off the marriage plans (and thus break up the joining of the families against the world eaters), but then when that fails will go for Atlanta because one royal is still valuable
β if itβs a kidnapping scenario most likely Gran will try to sneak a sleeping poison in there to steal Atlanta away, and then make a dramatic appearance praising the world eaters with a smoke bomb that conveniently sets the place on fire
if that succeeds then everyone has to go find and save atlanta (on the world eater eaten planet, perhaps?)
iβm also going to throw embere at tieran after i finish junaiβs reply!))
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Apr 3, 2021 16:30:51 GMT -5
[ sounds good ^^ ]
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Post by willowflower on Apr 3, 2021 18:03:03 GMT -5
((ive been inspired
also i spent way too much time playing with coding hahaaa))
β§ΰΌΊβ₯ΰΌ»βγJ U N A IγβΰΌΊβ₯ΰΌ»β§ Junai brightened up at once. βYou know this one?β she said, hugging the book to her chest. It was one of her favorites, full of poetic musings about the stars and the meaning of love, with some of the poems mimicking classic adventure ballads written in stanza. The writer was from Nerio, which, upon glancing at the Vanisher family sigil printed on the young manβs garb, made sense that he mightβve stumbled upon the same book.
βItβs so good, I adore this writerβs style,β she said eagerly. βThe way she incorporates humor into the ballads is fantastic and relatable and honestly I think it helps make the poetry a little more accessible to those who might not otherwise engage with something like this, but then again she doesnβt neglect the use of alliteration and repetition to create just fantastic imagery and the emotion -β
Junai abruptly bit her tongue. βIβ¦ I am talking way too much sorry,β she said, her voice growing smaller and smaller until it disappeared by the last word. She floundered a little bit, tugging at her bangs until they were pulled loose. βSo, um. Do you have a favorite? Poem, I mean?β she managed awkwardly, not quite wanting to end the conversation but at the same time wanting to go drift over to the refreshments table and dunk her head in the punch. Sometimes she considered herself to be like one of those large-eyed, long-necked ostriches, bizarre creatures that would go and stick their heads in the sand at the sign of danger. (And yes, she was quite aware that ostriches didnβt actually stick their heads in the ground, but the image of it was still relatable.)
She took the offered hand a little too quickly, and probably shook it too weakly too, and at once wondered if her thick palm was at all sweaty. Her father has told her before that Junai shook hands as if she were holding a dead fish. βItβs very - itβs nice to - itβs a pleasure to meet you,β Junai said, inwardly cringing at herself.
At the observation that she was seated at the queenβs table, Junai at once felt panic flood her system. Oh, yeah, she was talking to a Vanisher. Oh shoot, was she talking to a future in-law? Oh double shoot, was she talking to her betrothed? Her mother had tried to prepare her, showing her pictures and names and saying, βKeep an eye out at the ball, teeheeβ but Junai was not paying attention.
Not to mention she was not ready to have that conversation as Junai, eldest princess of the Illusionists. She hasnβt rehearsed the conversation eight thousand times in her head yet! She only got up to five hundred last night!
ββ¦ Yes,β she said, awkwardly, nodding. βThat is right. I, um,β Junai gestured vaguely, βI work for the queen, so.β She made a gesture with her hands as if to say, thatβs why. βKinda needed air. Lots of people.β
She then edged towards the door to the garden. βSpeaking of, Iβm actually going toβ¦ goβ¦ that way, so um yeah.β She paused. Junai was already abandoning her eloquence training so might as well drop pretenses. βWant to come with?β
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Post by Starchaser on Apr 3, 2021 18:05:39 GMT -5
{ willowflower Alrighty, heeeeeeeeere's Alanta, being her usual chaotic and problem-causing self. I'm sure Embere will appreciate her butting into his plans. I'm not thrilled with how this turned out either, but hopefully it's something you can work with (i'm sorry it's so long and alanta never shuts up).
EDIT: Oh, I'm so sorry, I totally missed your post! I tweak my response and have Alanta go bother Gran Georgina instead, if you like, or she can drag Embere off to the party and they somehow get Tieran involved.
I had the same thought about the kidnapping idea, although the idea of Georgina wanting to get her hands on an actually useful royal but being stuck with Alanta is admittedly pretty amusing to me. She would go out of her way to be as annoying as possible. I can honestly just picture Alanta being like "hmm, i totally get sus vibes from this and disagree with these principles, but my family will hate it so i'm in" and then proceeds to misjudge how much trouble she's gotten herself in.
I'm fine with whatever anyone wants to go with though. It will be an interesting plot no matter what and I'm excited to see how it all goes down (:
ββΠΎΟ Aw, I'm so glad you like him. I really enjoy writing characters like him, but he's so different from me that I find it a bit harder to get in his head. Hopefully I'll get better at his voice as time goes on, but in any case, he's still very fun to write.
Also, expanding a bit on your idea from earlier, it might be interesting if the cult somehow lured the World Eaters to the party and had them cause some mayhem. In the ensuing chaos, a royal can get kidnapped. I'm guessing one of the oldest ones would be the most desirable given they're supposed to be helping the families form an alliance, but we can always do something else too. Just tossing out ideas c: }
Alanta was bored.
Of course, she was. That wasn't unusual. Because everything always turned out a disappointment.
For weeks, her parents had been preparing for this occasion and aggrandizing it, stressing the importance of their attendance, of how the fate of the entire solar system hinged on their family's cooperation with the Illusionists. And for a while, Alanta had been really excited about the trip. Vesta was one of the few places she'd never been beforeβwell, okay, never been purposefully for more than a few moments. She might have ended up there accidentally once or thrice. Who could really keep track of those things?
A party on Vesta at the famed Illusionist's grand villa should have been heaps of fun. The Illusionist were known for their lavish parties, right? The solar system was simply teeming with rumors about them. They could hypnotize people and force them to do their bidding. They secretly controlled the entire galaxy, keeping everyone else in clever illusions that suggested otherwise. They weren't even really people, but immortal supernatural creatures. Alanta had heard it all before. Maybe they should have use their fancy powers to make themselves less unbearably tedious instead. She didn't really understand the allure of them. Sure, there was something inherently conspicuous about them, but that really only made them falsely fascinating.
Well, the palace certainly was eye-catching, Alanta would give them that. She'd been awestruck when first arriving, dazzled by the myriad of sights and sounds that greeted the family, so different from the modest style of her own family. The Vanishers were never ones for opulence or extravagance, preferring a a more outwardly humble existence. Their days were filled with forays to other planets rather than shindigs with the galaxy's most powerful. That, at the very least, made the trip a nice change of pace, though Alanta felt being stuck in some palace all day wouldn't suit her in the slightest, no matter how beautiful it was. Nerio was definitely still better.
As the night wore on, Alanta's wonder was rapidly waning. It was quickly becoming apparent that the Illusionists were far less intriguing than she had been lead to believe. Either that, or they were just really good at hiding it. Then, she supposed dark secrets were supposed to be difficult to uncover. So far though, all they'd done was make some pretty light shows, wax poetic about peace and unity (oh, come off it), and stand there looking interesting while not delivering on that in the slightest. The Illusionists seemed to draw in thousands of people, but being confined to the ballroom to listen to yet more stuffy nobles wasn't really Alanta's idea of fun. At least she didn't have to wear some insufferably gaudy outfit like they did.
There was no reason Alanta couldn't slip away. She wouldn't be missed. She ultimately played no role at this party. She wouldn't have the displeasure of being stuck with an Illusionist for the rest of her life. Or even at this party for a minute longer. Not when all of time and space could be her playground. Now she just needed an out.
Glancing around, Alanta spotted Tieran across the ballroom, gaze locked on their elder brother who was currently in conversation with one of the Illusionists. Or Alanta assumed she was one of them, given the elaborate dress and unnatural magnetism her otherwise unremarkable appearance gave off. Tieran certainly couldn't have been happy stuck mingling with the other partygoers alone. Watching the interactions unfold, she witnessed the exact moment her sister's gaze shifted from suspicion to annoyed resignation. Perfect. She latched onto the expression and locked it away in her mind for future reference.
And then she fell away, the warm ambience and excited chatter fading as she slipped through space.
Perhaps Alanta had been more nostalgic for home than she thought.
Water lapped at her ankles, the sea nearly glass-still in the darkness. The sea mirrored the sky above, stars and moonlight dancing across its crystalline surface. There was not a single trace of life to be found in any direction Alanta looked. No floating homes or ships. It was odd to think that millions of miles away, her family was making nice with their one-time greatest enemies, while she could have been gone for years on a planet no one had ever heard of. She'd be back for they even realized she'd gone. It never got old.
Well, home was nice, but Alanta had been hoping for somewhere a little more unique. Better see what else the galaxy had to offer.
Where she ended up next surprised Alanta, though not because she'd found somewhere particularly unusual. For all her attempts to escape the party, she'd wound up just outside the palace, beside an ivy-covered wall surrounding the Illusionist's perfectly-manicured gardens. Huh. She hardly ever ended up back where she'd started without trying. What was up with the entire universe conspiring to keep her reined-in that night?
Alanta was more than ready to careen through the solar system again, but before she could try, voices caught her attention. The princess watched with curious eyes as two figures attempting to scale the wall. She recognized one of them. A carriage driver for her family, though that was the extent of her knowledge about the cyborg. The pair was too far away to make out much of their conversations, but she caught bits and pieces of their exchange. A wry smile found its way to her face. So some others were up to no good as well. How fun.
As the man finished helping his companion over and finally toppled off the wall himself, Alanta took the moment to appear behind him, all without the work of actually having to scramble over the wall.
Alanta plopped down on the stone wall, legs dangling over the side. She watched as the cyborg picked himself up again, sounding more than a little annoyed. She laughed, making no effort to conceal the noise and called down, "Breaking and entering? My, my. Wouldn't the Illusionists just be appalled if they knew." Alanta tutted through her teeth as she took the figure in, his mechanical eye shining in the dark. "Lucky for you, I'm not a snitch." She gave the man a conspiratorial wink.
Alanta dropped down from the wall with a soft thud. "You're trying to break in, I'm trying to break out. What a fun bit of juxtaposition that is. If you won't say anything neither will I. Of course, it wouldn't really matter if you did."
She paused, falling suddenly quiet, though it wasn't really a chance for the near-stranger to get a word in. Alanta concentrated on their features, trying to discern some sort of detail that could be of use. Whenever he decided to respond could work, and the moment Alanta could identify a word, her mind snatched it away. "Hold that thought," she interjected, though he wouldn't have really needed to. "See, I've just traversed half the galaxy and nobody even missed me," she said emphatically.
To most any observer, it would appear that Alanta hadn't even moved. However, her already-precariously-braided hair had straggled free and her outfit was mussed. She had, after all, wandered through a giant forest, encountered some kind of horrifying alien creature, and briefly been caught in a storm of epic proportions. Sure, finding a fellow troublemaker was fun and all, but she'd still been after a real adventure. She felt fairly sated for now, though her forays into the unknown had only been comprised of quick stops. She'd come to find that was the best way to use her powers. Just visit as many places as possible, snag a few unique details, and venture somewhere new. If she were good, it only took one trip and she could revisit the place for life.
As she listened to the stranger's response, Alanta's eyes followed the other newcomer's trail deeper into the garden. Though she was intrigued, she made no move after the woman. She'd already engaged this mechanic in conversation, might as well see where the night went, even if it was abundantly clear he didn't want much to do with her. Didn't those sorts of people just make the best companions? "I know you didn't ask for my insight or anything, but I feel that when some kooky old lady is more fun than you, it's really time to start revaluating your life," Alanta commented teasingly. "Never fear though, I happen to be in search of a partner in crime."
Without waiting for a response, Alanta looped her arm through the man's, tugging him determinedly towards the palace. "If you wanted to crash the party, all you had to do was ask. I'm always up to cause a good opprobrium," she smiled mischievously. "Be careful though. These Illusionist fellows are weird. Wouldn't want to end up under some mind-control spell of theirs. Who knows, maybe they've got us all trapped in an eternal dream now." It wasn't entirely discernible whether she was joking or not. "If you stick with me, you should blend in just fine. At least until it's time to cause a scene."
"Alanta, veritable Princess of Disaster," she supplied in introduction, though considering she knew this man worked for her family, maybe that was unnecessary. But she wasn't one of the important ones like Aever or Tieran, just the spare heir. Unless every single one of her siblings met with some early demise, Alanta felt pretty confident she'd never have to worry with taking the crown. Not that it bothered her any, freedom was far better than any power, in her mind. At the very least, her royal bloodline meant she could sneak someone potentially entertaining into the party. Maybe the night would turn out exciting yet. She nudged her companion, "Charmed, I'm sure. And what distinguished gentleman has the pleasure of accompanying me to this delightful occasion?"
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Post by willowflower on Apr 3, 2021 18:16:27 GMT -5
((atlanta can totally bug embere, and they can both go bug tieran! i'll write up embere's post soon ^.^
also yess i love the idea of gran and atlanta duo)) |
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