Re: Hope Falls

Phoenix Wed 31 Aug - 21:27

Izsak sucked in a breath as he was kicked, growling lowly and shaking his head at her as he briefly jerked forward. Righting himself before grabbing her shoulders and pushing her into the wall, eyes darkening.

“Oh I know what you’re doing, sneaky.” Draven chuckled against her lips, as he moved a hand into her hair. “Shred your clothes so I have to go half naked to cover you, one job done. Then get me to bring you in here all alone.” He teased, moving a hand down her thigh.

“No, not for me. Not at all.”

**BestNameEva** Wed 31 Aug - 21:44

"Down boy." Matilida sneered as the others in the room began to take notice, one of them slipping out behind them. "Bad dog. You wouldn't want me to get the cold water bottle out now, would you?"

Sarika giggled girlishly, tilting her head so she could slowly kiss down his neck. Grazing her teeth against his skin, growling animalistically when there was a panicked knock on the door.

"Izsak is about to hurt Matilda!" The voice yelled out from the other side, the girl not waiting for any invitation from the alphas to speak.

"Lets do your elegant fae dancing then, hm? Show me how to do that properly. I remember little."

Phoenix Wed 31 Aug - 21:54

“I must say I wasn’t… expecting you to come back with such enthusiasm.” Isolde smiled as she looked around at the others arriving. “Coming back… joining in with us. I’m - I'm really glad that you have. I’m glad you’re starting to feel at home here.”

“I know you think you’re hilarious. But you know what is funny? Holding onto a dead means ghost who’s been dead for longer than he was alive. Fantasising about his brother because he’s the safe option, you know he wouldn’t dream of going anywhere near you so it’s easy to day dream isn’t it?” Izsak whispered as he took her in. “I saw the way your face chances when I mentioned him, and if I can see it so can Sarika. You might’ve been safe before, but since they’ve already crossed the line and turned one Seer… who knows what’ll happen to you when she realises, mm?”

“Shit, shit.” Draven pulled away from Sarika then, rolling off the bed. “He’s due his first turn since he got back tonight, it’s been months since he last turned since he was too weak to for the last months there wasn’t he? Come on, Sar. You were always better at talking him down then I was when he got like this.” He said in a hurry, not even bothering to replace the shirt he’d given Sarika before sprinting down the halls.

**BestNameEva** Wed 31 Aug - 22:06

"I just... I'm so tired of not fitting in anywhere, Isolde." She whispered, offering a sad smile. "I have never done well at fitting in places, not straight away. It doesn't come naturally to me."

"Woah, slow down. You are going to hurt yourse-" Sarika cut off a sigh when he was already gone, throwing her legs over the side and pulling some loose lounge wear on.

"I love Draven, yes, but I have never been quiet on that and it is platonic. He was going to be my brother, and I have known him longer than Sarika has - I met him and befriended before I met my fiancè. I pity men who do not understand the importance of having female friendship in their life, it must be tormenting for be driven by your penis rather than your heart or brain but I suppose us women need some way to seperate the good from the bad, hm? And you, Captain, are certainly bad unless the Fae have just turned your brain to liquid."

Phoenix Wed 31 Aug - 22:15

“Well you belong here, this is your home.” Isolde assured, taking her hand with a gentle squeeze.

“The Fae - do you bastards always refer to yourself in the third person? So special and important aren’t you Isolde?” Izsak snapped then, completely losing it as he lifted her away from the walls by her shoulders and banged her back against it. “Give me one good reason after everything you’ve done to my people, to me, I shouldn’t tear out your fucking throat?!” He shouted, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead as his eyes darted around the room.

“Matilda is defenceless against him and he could cause more damage than I could sustain going to him, come on!”

**BestNameEva** Wed 31 Aug - 22:22

Matilda made a pained noise as her back hit against the wall, turning her head to try and catch her breath. Fighting to keep her voice stable as she hissed; "I'm not her, you aren't with them. Get a fucking hold of yourself, Izsak!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming." Sarika whispered, getting to her feet and leaving the room bare-footed. Lifting her hands up to scrape her fingertips through her hair and try and make herself look presentable, frowning as Izsak's voice echoed down the hallway. Whistling softly to try and get his attention despite the distance, calling softly afterwards; "Izzy."

"Thank you," Florence grinned, glancing to the side to watch people flood in. "How many people did you invite?"

Phoenix Wed 31 Aug - 22:29

“You sound scared, Your Highness.” Izsak sneered, chuckling a little at her obvious discomfort. “Is it scary? Having no control over what happens to you? Not knowing what happens next? He moved in to whisper then, teeth close to her throat, but not touching as he pulled his head away. “See you like to make sure the methods are mixed up don’t you? No rhyme or season, pattern or routine, keeps us on our toes doesn’t it? I’ve figured it all out, you thought I wouldn’t. But there are hints you see - the drowning always comes after it’s rained so they don’t have to drag the water too far, they can just use what’s been collected outside. And there’s only ever one guard that’s into men, so when he comes in I know what’s coming there - I’m figuring it out, Isolde.” He grinned as he pulled back a little and turning his head when he heard Sarika’s voice. “More tricks mm? More tricks…”

“Shit. Izsak! Let her go! Fucking let her go! It’s Matilda!” Draven shouted as he entered the room, tensing when he saw the position Matilda was in.

“It was an open invitation. Everyone who wanted to come was more than welcome to.” Isolde grinned.

**BestNameEva** Wed 31 Aug - 22:36

"Don't shout, Draven. Don't yell, it isn't going to help here. Hold back your own fear for the moment." Sarika encouraged quietly, though tensed herself at what she saw as they came into sight. Leaning in to kiss Draven's cheek before approaching Izsak, cautiously resting her hand on his shoulder and rubbing her thumb in small circles against it; "Izzy, it's done. You're safe here."

Matilda swallowed thickly, glancing towards Draven and Sarika only briefly before moving her gaze to a blank wall across from her. Focusing on something plain to try and keep herself grounded.

"Just for the kingdom?"

Phoenix Wed 31 Aug - 22:46

“It’ll be okay.” Draven mouthed at Matilda in the brief time she looked at him, stepping back and wringing his hands as he watched Sarika.

Izsak flinched, smacking Matilda against the wall again - though this time not on purpose. “Sarika? You - you can’t be here. W-w-What are you doing here?” He murmured, eyes widening as he saw her, grip slacking on Matilda. “You need to go Sarika, you’re not safe here, go, go!”

“Mm, the whole kingdom. That’s why it took so long for us to hold one instead of next day. We wanted to make sure everyone had time to get here that wanted to be here.”

**BestNameEva** Wed 31 Aug - 22:51

Sarika rubbed his shoulder once more before moving her hand to rest her palm against his cheek; her thumb then brushing in small circles against his cheek. Her other arm slipping around his torso in readiness to catch his weight when he came to. "I am safe, you are safe. You're home, Izzy, lovely. I'm here, Draven is over there. We love you, the two of us love you... we wouldn't lie."

Matilda gaspes; swallowed down a sob of pain and closing her eyes.

"Isn't that a security risk?"

Phoenix Wed 31 Aug - 22:56

“We’ve got enough people tending to security, don’t fret, if anything we’re to happen I’m sure you’d see it mm?”

“Come on, come on. We have to - we have to go. I have to get you out of here. Come on.” Izsak said hurriedly as he completely let go of Matilda and grabbed Sarika’s arm, quickly pulling her as he jogged from the room. Panicking and looking round at his surroundings as they went.

“Okay, okay.” Draven moved to catch Matilda in his arms before she could hit the floor, carefully scooping her up.

**BestNameEva** Wed 31 Aug - 23:07

Matilda slumped into him, blood staining the back of her shirt from where she had been slammed into the wall, lowering her head to bury it against the crook of his neck. Breathing shaky and panicked.

"I know somewhere safe," Sarika played along then, turning and walking backwards so she could see his face as she spoke. "Somewhere we will be safe, somewhere they won't find us. Can I show you?"

"I- my visions have been.. infrequent recently." She admitted quietly. "I got ill, and since then... they're still... yeah."

Phoenix Wed 31 Aug - 23:13

“You’re safe. You’re safe, I’ve got you Tills.” Draven soothed, leaving the room and heading down the corridor to Matilda’s, nudging it open with his boot and slipping inside quietly.

“Yes, yes. Hurry, hurry then!”

“Oh, you didn’t mention.” Isolde frowned sympathetically then. “I - I know what it’s like to be in a long recovery for an illness, it took months for my powers to come back after I got poisoned. I understand, are you feeling well now? What sickness was it? Did the wolves take care of you?”

**BestNameEva** Wed 31 Aug - 23:21

"Raffetry did, he always did. It was... I'm okay now, other than the visions being jittery. How bad it was though, thar isn't important; it's done."

Sarika pushed the door open open to her Chambers and the once more to an unused and smaller closet that had one point stored clothes. Pushing the door closed behind them and sitting on the floor in the corner, holding her arms out to him; "Come here, we're safe here."

"Don't let his fucking psychosis excuse him." Matilda hissed. "He was being a bastard before he thought I was the fae witch."

**BestNameEva** Wed 31 Aug - 23:21

"Raffetry did, he always did. It was... I'm okay now, other than the visions being jittery. How bad it was though, that isn't important; it's done."

Sarika pushed the door open open to her Chambers and the once more to an unused and smaller closet that had one point stored clothes. Pushing the door closed behind them and sitting on the floor in the corner, holding her arms out to him; "Come here, we're safe here."

"Don't let his fucking psychosis excuse him." Matilda hissed. "He was being a bastard before he thought I was the fae witch."

Phoenix Wed 31 Aug - 23:27

“He slips in and out of it, he should’ve had a guard with him, he’s supposed to until this settles. I’m so sorry, I’m sorry.” Draven fussed as he gently lay her on her bed, propping up the pillows behind her. “Tell me what to get you for the pain.”

“This is good, this is - this is good.” Izsak nodded, still shaking slightly as he followed her in, wrapping his arms around her to hold her close.

“Oh it does matter Florence.”

**BestNameEva** Wed 31 Aug - 23:35

Florence smiled sadly and shook her head in the negative. "I'm here, I'm fine as long as you can give me grace for a little while when it comes to visions."

"Nothing, I can fix myself up. I don't think he even hurt me that bad, just bruises." Matilda mumbled, despite feeling the back of her top stuck to her shoulder blades with blood that escaped from the small cuts.

"You're safe, Izzy." Sarika whispered softly against his ear, moving a hand up to tangle her fingers in the back of his shirt. "I've got you, it's all over now."

Phoenix Wed 31 Aug - 23:37

“Isolde could find you, she could - you shouldn’t be here Sarika. You shouldn’t be here, it’s not safe for you.” Izsak shook his head, moving his arms to wrap around his knees then, rocking gently.

“Stop with the big tough act and let me help you. What do I need to do?”

“Of course, of course.”

**BestNameEva** Wed 31 Aug - 23:43

Sarika wrapped her arms around his shoulders to pull him against her, resting her cheek against the top of his head and encouraging softly; "She could what? What did she do to you today, lovely?"

"Nothing! He barely hurt me. Just impact cuts, maybe.. I don't know. I can't see, can I?" Matilda mumbled. "You should go and help Sarika; how is she? She was having her own moment, wasn't she?"

"Thank you,"

Phoenix Wed 31 Aug - 23:52

“Sarika will be with Izsak, and I’m here.” Draven shook his head, moving to sit by her, hesitating before pulling Matilda up into his lap. “I’m sorry you weren’t safe in your own home.”

“She was pretending to be the Seer again. Or maybe it wasn’t her? Maybe it was the guards. They do that - they make themselves look different. Sometimes she’s Draven… sometimes she’s you - I.” He stilled then, going completely rigid as he turned to look at her. “Y-you’re her aren’t - shit! Shit.” He hissed under his breath as he scrambled back into the corner of the space.

“You have fun tonight, if you need to go back to your room and rest any of the guards will assist you.”

**BestNameEva** Thu 1 Sep - 0:04

"Sshh, no, no. I'm not her." Sarika soothed gently then with a frown. "She doesn't know you, hm? She doesn't know that you're favourite musician is Rosalynn Fernstar. It didn't used to be, you used to think her lyrics made no sense against the tempo of her music until Eris dragged you to a festival where she sang and all of a sudden; in between the booze and herbs and screeching fans something clicked in your soul and you just suddenly 'got it'. How could Isolde ever know that your first crush was a human girl called Feyre, an unusual name for a human you met in the state of Montgomery because your dad insisted you get some taste of a human life since he was a halfling. How could any of the fae ever know that you dream of sunrises over sunsets, because a day beginning is more beautiful than an ending could ever be."

"I don't - I mean. It's what I told you about before, right? The wolves start to throw their weight around at certain time and me and the girls are normally in the firing line because of that. We are used to it, we are educated for it and have trained for it but.. bring Soren into it is out of order. It's my own fault, I slapped him.. spat at him, kneed him in the nuts but he was being an insensitive dick. Then he grabbed me."

"They better do." Florence answered with a mischievous grin, her eye line flickering up to the entrance as she heard Conan's voice.

"Emmett would have a meltdown if he knew we were here, but it is for the best for everyone; our princess can meet their prince and Emmett can keep on living his life in ignorant bliss that we are stashed away somewhere safe enjoying the quiet life."

Phoenix Thu 1 Sep - 0:16

“It’s you, it’s you… it’s you.” Izsak laughed nervously, nodding a little to himself. Closing his eyes and breathing deeply, resting his head back against the wall as he breathed deeply, trying to contain himself.

“You shouldn’t have to deal with that, I’m sorry. I’m sorry you’re - I’m sorry.” Draven grimaced as he smoothed her hair down. “I’ll - I don’t know how but I’ll see to it that it all stops. I’m sorry.”

“If you find a connection with a guard… then so be it. It’ll make him do his job better.” Isolde chuckled.

“Mm,” Dagmar hummed as she gently smoothed down Cassius’ hair, the boy sleeping in a sling against her chest. “He will lose his shit when he finds out.”

“It’s all so pretty…” Aesira grinned as she twirled around the gardens, making sure not to stray too far from her parents path.

**BestNameEva** Thu 1 Sep - 0:24

"I am going to come over there and hold you, the next skin you feel on yours it is going to be me." Sarika warned gently as she began to close the distance between the then, tucking herself into the corner next to him and wrapping her arms around his shoulders once more to bring him in. "I am so sorry she hurt you, lovely. You're never going to go through that again; not ever."

"It's part of the game, 'Ven. Don't fuss."

"They say this place is one of the prettiest in the whole universe," Conan hummed in agreement with Aesira, his hand firmly placed against Dagmar's waist. "Pretty things have thorns though, darling, remember that. Be cautious."

"You invited them too?" Florence whispered to Isolde with contained excitement, before bouncing on the back of her heels like an excited puppy and making her way over. "Dagmar!"

Phoenix Thu 1 Sep - 0:37

Izsak curled into her, moving his hands over his face with a sob. “It’s you… you shouldn’t be here… she’ll get you too…”

“This isn’t a game, it’s your life. You shouldn’t have to put up with it whether or it it’s something that just happened before.”

“I did.” Isolde confirmed, watching with a small smile before heading off to find Aodhän.

Dagmar stopped dead in her tracks, arms moving over her chest to protect her baby as she stared at Florence.

“I don’t see thorns.” Aesira hummed as she reached her hands up to try and catch the light. Her tiny wigs fluttering against her back that lifted her up on her tiptoes before dropping her down again.

**BestNameEva** Thu 1 Sep - 0:44

"Who says life isn't just one big game? Cat and mouse. Wolf and Seer."

"It's done, it's all done and you are home now." Sarika soothed, brushing her fingers across the top of his head before ducking down to kiss just above his ear. "You're free of them, you're home and I've got you."

"It's just a saying.. just.." Conan began cheerily, voice fading as his gaze fell on Florence. Face contortions to puzzlement as he mumbled, mostly to himself, "But Karina said..."

"Hi... hi." Florence grinned, closing the space between them before giggling as she watch Aesira fly. "Oh wow, look at you Aesira."

Aodhän was crouched down just inside the place, rolling his eyes as Kael complained about having a bow tie delicately tied around his neck. "It is smart, formal."

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