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Neutral
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Kyyre hardly had time to react before he was tugged into position, Leon’s energy an almost tangible force that left little room for hesitation. His hand tingled from the lingering pressure of claws—not enough to break skin, but certainly enough to be remembered. The faintest flush crept up his neck as Leon released him and spun away, leaving Kyyre to occupy his newly appointed stationary role. - It wasn’t as bad as he’d feared. The more subdued pace of this side of the dance gave him time to observe and adapt, though he was still hyper-aware of the glances from the crowd. As each partner reached him, Kyyre managed a passable mimicry of their movements, although his natural clutziness did nothing to mask his lack of confidence. He was rigid at first, his motions stiff and rehearsed, but the rhythm of the music eventually began to chip away at his tension. - When Leon returned, his approach was like a whirlwind—eyes alight, chest heaving, and his ever-present grin carving deep into his face. Kyyre barely had time to steady himself before their hands met again, Leon's grip firm and grounding. His enthusiasm was infectious, though Kyyre would never admit it outright. - “You look like you’ve been running laps,” Kyyre quipped, his tone dry but his lips twitching in the faintest hint of a smile. He moved a fraction closer, as dictated by the dance, and added softly, “It’s… not terrible.” It wasn’t exactly a glowing review, but for Kyyre, it was practically effusive praise. - Astrid exhaled sharply through his nose, the closest he’d come to a laugh all evening. “Greedy, am I?” he echoed, his voice low and laced with sardonic amusement. “I didn’t realize pointing out the flaws in your plan made me avaricious. Maybe I should be flattered.” - He moved closer, his broad frame casting a shadow over the bar as he leaned one arm against the counter. Though he kept his posture casual, there was a coiled tension in his shoulders, a readiness for the other shoe to drop. His ice-blue eyes locked onto Andromeda’s, searching for any sign of deception in her teasing smile. - “What I want is to know you’re not selling me an empty promise,” Astrid said, his voice steady but edged with a quiet intensity. “You can promise thrones and soldiers all you like, but I’ve seen how quickly alliances crumble when the stakes get higher. So forgive me if I’m not swooning over your generosity.” - His gaze flicked briefly toward the crowd, catching sight of Leon’s frenzied movements as he rejoined Kyyre. The corners of his mouth twitched downward in a faint grimace, though whether it was from concern or secondhand embarrassment was unclear. “Your pet seems to be enjoying himself,” he muttered, the words barely audible over the hum of the room. - Turning back to Andromeda, Astrid let out a low sigh. “If you want this truce to hold, then prove it. Show me that you’re as committed to this as I’m supposed to be.” He straightened, crossing his arms over his chest as he regarded her with a measured gaze. “Until then, I’m not making any promises.” |
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Darkseeker
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A deep resounding laugh came from deep in Leon’s chest at the report that Kyyre had given, rather proud of himself. If he looked as though he had been running laps, that meant he had been having fun. In their closeness, Leon could see the pearlescent nature of Kyyre’s eyes, the slight difference from pink catching in the light and taking dominance when it hit at just the right angle. That was when it struck him. Was his entire line like this? Pale and reserved to the point of nervousness. He hoped not, then again. If they were as..skittish as Kyyre, that did make the job of getting him on the throne a whole lot easier. Andromeda could make quick work of weak minds, if that didn’t work Leon could always slip into through an open window and deliver a more permanent fix. “Not terrible.” He repeated, leaning to the side, Leon flashed a more devious version of his smile before he gripped Kyyre’s arms tightly. His voice lowered into a rumble of a sound. Letting his claws dip into his flesh just enough to poke, using the grip to spin them. He sent them twirling rather happily, outpacing the pairs beside them by a mile. When they came to a halt, Leon’s hold softened and he was leaning down, head close to Kyyre’s with his smile still in place. “Perhaps you should try this side then?” He all but whispered, hushed as their proximity would allow it, Leon’s torso creating a shadow over the pair of them before he leaned back. With a flex arm, Leon gave Kyyre a long lashed wink, the red tattoo under his eye crinkling at the moment. Then, in a quick movement he span Kyyre towards the next person in line with a brash chuckle of amusement. In their spinning, he had halted them in switched positions. It was worth a shot seeing if Kyyre was actually try to enjoy this, or if he came back to Leon looking like a deer in headlights. If the latter ended up happening, Leon wasn’t a cruel man, he would take him away from the overwhelming environment. No point in damaging the man more than he appeared to be already in the confidence department. A short puff that resembled a sigh was her only reply for a long moment, only jerked out of her thoughts by Astrid’s comment on Leon. She was watching as her companion took Kyyre and sent them circling, outpacing those around them. A quick smile landed on her lips and she cocked her head back around towards Astrid, eyes glittering with a slightly sick looking joy. “My pet?” Followed by an abrupt bleat of laughter. “If he heard you say that, he would have his hands around your neck quicker than you could say woof.” Towards the end of her statement, there was a darker shadow to her eyes before Astrid made the quick pivot towards his convincing. Leon was not a stupid man. Not at all. He was just a creature leashed to his own impulsivity. Nibrook was a strong and overwhelming force of the continent, their numbers alone were enough of a threat to other kingdoms that everyone was always trying to pander to them. Though Nibrook never made alliances, for that very reason. They didn’t know who was going to stab them in the back, Leon and Andromeda were going to change that. The issue was, at this point in time, there was only pretty words. Other than promises of protection and cooperation, what else could she offer him? There was no chance Andromeda would give up land or her own throne to this man. “There’s no point dancing around the subject. What is it you want from me as this proof? What I’m offering is only words until the tournament begins, then after it is over we can begin our fun.” With that, Andromeda finished off her whiskey and slid the now empty crystal glass down the counter where the suited bartender scooped it up. Her lips parted in a satisfied sigh, flicking her gaze up to Astrid and allowing a smirk to contort her features. “That, or when the tournament begins you’ll see that you’ll be protected. Or that you won’t be, been as you think this is some elaborate ploy to kill you.” A sarcastic chuckle tainted her words. “If I wanted to kill you, it would have been before tonight. It would have been in your chambers, alone. Not out in the open, I’m not one to make a spectacle of myself. At least not one that involves sullying myself with your blood.” Andromeda leaned into the more teasing side of the conversation, perhaps that was the way to go with this. He seemed less inclined to bite her head off now, if she could keep this conversation going maybe he would become a little bit more pliant. |
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Neutral
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Kyyre barely had time to react before Leon’s grip tightened, claws pressing just enough to send a pulse of sensation up his arms. His breath caught, and before he could protest, Leon had spun them wildly out of sync with the other dancers. The world blurred for a moment—colors, candlelight, and movement blending together as his feet scrambled to keep up. - When they finally came to a stop, Kyyre found himself caught in Leon’s grasp, close enough to feel his breath against his skin. The devious smile was still in place, but now it carried a sharper edge, one that sent a confusing mix of nerves and something unspoken crawling up Kyyre’s spine. - “Perhaps you should try this side then?” - The words were barely above a whisper, but they sent a shiver through him nonetheless. Before he could process it, Leon had winked—long lashes momentarily shadowing his eyes—and then, with an almost playful ruthlessness, spun Kyyre away. - His breath hitched as he stumbled into his new place in the dance, landing in the arms of an unfamiliar partner. The change in role was immediate and jarring—suddenly, he wasn’t the stationary point of stability but the one being flung between partners. His body resisted at first, a stiffness in his limbs betraying his discomfort, but he had no choice but to move. - It was disorienting. It was overwhelming. - It was… exhilarating. - For the first time, Kyyre wasn’t just enduring the dance—he was in it. His movements, while cautious, became more fluid with each pass. His pale cheeks flushed with the exertion, and the tension in his shoulders loosened. When the time came for him to return to Leon, his breath was uneven, but there was a glint in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. - He was still not entirely sure if he liked it, but there was no denying the rush of it all. - He landed himself backward into Leon's arms, panting, but smiling. He tipped his head back and looked up at him. - Astrid let out a dry, humorless chuckle at Andromeda’s laughter, shaking his head slightly. “He’s got a hell of a lot of bite for someone so eager to run himself ragged,” he muttered, eyes flicking briefly to Leon’s latest antics before returning to Andromeda. - Her response was expected—half amusement, half veiled warning. He studied her carefully as she spoke, weighing her words. She was right in one regard—until the tournament began, everything was just talk. No alliances were real until the first blade was drawn. - Still, he wasn’t one to leap blindly into things, no matter how persuasive her words—or her smirk—became. - "You say you won’t sully yourself with my blood," he mused, tapping a finger against the bar's surface. "But you’d spill it if I became a threat. Convenient how that line moves when it suits you.” His tone was light, almost teasing, but there was an edge to it. - Then, after a beat, he sighed. “Fine. You want to know what I want? It’s simple. If this is a real alliance, I want to know where you stand when it matters. I want proof that when the time comes, you won't hesitate.” - His expression hardened slightly, eyes locked onto hers. “And not just words. You have enemies—rivals. Show me where your loyalty lies.” - The implication was clear: a test of allegiance, one that could not be faked with charming conversation or clever smiles. If Andromeda wanted his trust, she would have to earn it in blood. - "Say Kyyre," he thought aloud, his pinkie tracing a circle around a wet ring on the bar. "I am to be departing soon. I've got something that needs.. tended to. I can imagine he'll stay. He'll typically burn himself out until he's sure everyone, even those he does not favor, is happy. If I find a single scratch on him when I see him tonight, I will find your quarters and I will be in them. If not, you can say you've earned my trust. Is that understood, Andromeda Orchid?" |
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Darkseeker
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A flash of delight erupted in his chest at the face that was peering up at him, flushed with effort from his bout of dancing around the group. His polite smile that had been directed at the other partners he had flung on by widened, his pupils blowing wide at the elated feeling of cracking someone. Of bringing them into his feverish activities, the chaos he so loved was always better enjoyed with company. Conveniently, the music was arching up to the final moments, not something Leon had betted on happening but it was a pleasant surprise. He was never one to end something without a good, or rather memorable, impression. His arm snaked its way around Kyyre, pulling him close enough so that he wouldn’t be completely untethered from his centre of gravity. Only when he was sure his hold was secure, the music lifted, Leon dove them back into hasty whirl. Whilst the space around them smeared into obscurity, he kept his eyes trained on Kyyre’s. When the moment came for the final strike of chords, Leon tightened his hold around Kyyre’s waist, claws pricking at the fabric of his suit. He freed Kyyre with his other hand, but he dipped his other arm, almost feigning dropping him to the ground as he leaned Kyyre backwards. Leon kept close, curled over him, still brimming with glee, evident by his panting grin and burning eyes. The chord struck and faded into silence, it lasted a heartbeat and Leon remained where he was, only pulled backwards and taking Kyyre up with him when the next, more delicate tune began to fill the courtyard. “I told you it’s fun.” Leon huffed out, mostly recovered from his own spiraling journey around the dance, but the dregs of effort he used in his turbulent dancing remained in the form of blushed skin. – “I wouldn’t sully myself, no. I have Leon for that sort of dirty work.” She confirmed, straightening herself up from the bar, one arm still draped over the counter as she watched Astrid’s ministrations. Trailing down his arm, reaching his hand where a finger twirled around on the wood. She couldn’t fault him for wanting a drop of proof, words were simply words. One might promise they never lie, but they all do. Especially in their line of work, it was all mist and mirrors, illusions of promises and alliances. No one was ever truly loyal for the sake of being loyal, there are always alternative motives. Andromeda’s eyes flashed as she looked back up to catch Astrid’s as they evaluated her, she almost hadn’t realised she wasn’t focusing on his face until he spoke her full name. For a second, she felt like a rabbit caught in a trap, allowing herself to become even minutely distracted from their conversation was a blunder. There was a second of surprise in her gaze before she retracted it for the feline predatory one that she favoured. “Understood.” She turned her head to look back out across the hall, to spot Leon and Kyyre. She considered her words for perhaps a millisecond before speaking them. “What about scratches he asks for?” Andromeda teased, swiping her eyes back to look at Astrid’s dark figure from the corner of her eye. Raising one eyebrow in suggestion, she couldn’t help it if Leon was enigmatic and it drew in those around him. He was rather intoxicating, the thrill of his impulsivity was almost enough to seduce herself sometimes. “I jest.” She dismissed a moment later, turning to face the bar once again. Her mind couldn’t help but wander towards what these matters were he needed to attend, what on earth could need seeing to here? Most responsibilities were left behind once an heir was sent to the tournament. The urge to worm her way into his head was tempting, but she was not naive enough to suspect Astrid would be rather adept at not only noticing her doing so, but in preventing her access. If he was able to sense her activity, then this alliance would be dead in the water. No point in prying. With a languid sigh, she stretched her arms on the counter, arching her back and feeling the taut muscles flex and almost protest at the contortion before righting herself. She had to test the waters some more, would he toy with her back, that is what she wanted to know. Or was Astrid so high strung he couldn’t have a smidge of fun. “If you wanted an invitation to my quarters tonight, you only needed to ask. No need to threaten me.” She purred, letting her words drip from her lips as she peeked over her fur lined shoulder at Astrid. Tipping her head forwards ever so slightly as she let a smile play on her lips. |
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Neutral
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Kyyre’s pulse raced, the thundering beats of the music reverberating through his chest. As the final notes of the song began to swell, he was caught entirely off-guard by the intensity of the dance. He had thought he could manage—he had danced before, after all, even if never like this—but Leon’s guidance was more than just a rhythm to follow. It was a current, sweeping him along without a choice. - Kyyre barely had time to register his surprise when Leon yanked him closer, securing him with a firm grip around his waist. The warmth of Leon’s hand seemed to burn through the fabric of his suit, the unexpected closeness stirring something deep within him. His thoughts scattered, his heartbeat quickening, unsure if it was from the exertion or the growing awareness of how close they were now. The air between them felt charged, heavy with tension. - Before Kyyre could try to steady his breathing, the music lifted, swirling around them with a sharp crescendo. Leon spun him once more, the world blurring into streaks of color. Kyyre’s stomach lurched, his head spinning as his body was dragged effortlessly by the dance, each movement more hurried than the last. He tried to hold onto something—anything—to keep himself from completely losing track of everything around him, but all he could focus on was Leon. - The dance had become a whirlwind, and Kyyre was trapped in it, his feet barely able to keep up with the speed. He hadn’t expected to be so overwhelmed by something so simple. His breath came faster, the flush on his skin deepening as the movements grew more wild, more intense, each step pulling him closer into Leon’s orbit. - Then, with a sudden sharpness, Leon’s grip tightened. Kyyre was held firmly in place as Leon maneuvered him through the final twist. He felt his body tilt backwards, the world tipping dangerously as if he were about to fall. His heart thundered in his chest, the panic of being so vulnerable flooding his senses. The close proximity of Leon, hovering over him as though he were the only thing keeping Kyyre from falling to the ground, made it nearly impossible for Kyyre to think. His mind stuttered, a blush creeping over his face as the heat in his chest spread to the tips of his ears. - For a split second, everything seemed to stop. Kyyre couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. All he could do was stare up at Leon, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and helplessness. The proximity, the heat, the almost predatory way Leon held him—everything about the moment set his pulse racing and his thoughts spinning. This isn’t real, Kyyre thought desperately, This is too much. I can’t— - And then, as if the universe took pity on him, Leon’s grip softened, lifting him back up and away from the dangerous brink of the fall. Kyyre was left breathless, his thoughts in a dizzying whirl of conflicting emotions. The music had faded into something gentler, but the moment still lingered like a weight between them, a kind of silence that spoke louder than words. Kyyre’s heart wouldn’t slow, his breaths shallow and erratic, and he couldn’t seem to look away from Leon’s grin, his gaze still alight with that same gleam of unrestrained joy. - “I told you it’s fun,” Leon had said, his voice almost a taunt, and Kyyre’s stomach tightened in response. There was no denying the fact that Leon had drawn him in—completely. And for a moment, Kyyre wondered if he might be caught in something far more dangerous than he had expected. - Asteria loosened her hold on his neck, and Kyyre keeled over and began coughing. It was probably a good idea to keep breathing. He untangled her from his neck, wrapping her around his arm and making sure she was okay as he sank to his knees. He felt horrible for forgetting her, and then tossing her around like that. Could snakes get motion sick? - Astrid, sensing the subtle shift in the atmosphere, leaned back, his fingers still idly tracing the polished wood of the counter. He watched Andromeda with a quiet intensity, studying the playfulness in her eyes as she teased him, each word carefully chosen. Her challenge was almost a game, and he could see how easily she could twist a conversation into something far more dangerous. - When she mentioned Leon, his eyes followed her gaze toward the dancers. He caught sight of Leon’s wild, carefree movements and the closeness he shared with Kyyre. It was easy to see that something more than just the dance was happening there. It was also clear that Kyyre was caught in the tide of Leon’s overwhelming presence—something that seemed almost too powerful for him to escape. Astrid smiled faintly, a trace of amusement in his gaze. - Her next words were sharp, teasing him further. "If he heard you say that, he would have his hands around your neck quicker than you could say woof." Astrid’s smile flickered for a moment, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. There was something dark in Andromeda’s tone, something that didn’t escape him, but he made no immediate comment. Instead, he let her words hang in the air for a moment before answering in kind. - “Well, I’m sure Leon has his hands full with other things right now,” he said smoothly, his voice laced with just enough sarcasm to make it clear he wasn’t entirely bothered by her remarks. But when he shifted his gaze back to Andromeda, it was with an unreadable intensity. “No one needs to threaten you, Andromeda. But I don’t think you’re one to wait for an invitation, are you?” - As her attention moved back to him, he caught the subtle shift in her posture, the way her smile turned more inviting, more dangerous. The offer hung between them now, tempting and rich with implication. He could sense the edge in her words—the control she wielded with such ease—and yet, there was a flicker of something deeper there, too. A challenge, a question of who could lead the dance. - Astrid leaned closer, his voice dropping lower as he responded to her playful offer. “Do you always offer such tempting invitations?” His gaze held hers for a moment, an unspoken promise lingering in the air. “Perhaps I’d prefer to be the one making the request this time.” He let the words slip between them with quiet confidence, testing the waters. |
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Darkseeker
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Leon was drawn out from his frenzied state by the movement of scales around Kyyre’s neck, his hands loosened their grip and he leaned his neck back. Lips parting in surprise, he had forgotten about the poor thing entangled around Kyyre. He just hoped that the silvery body wasn’t about to whip around and strike him for the audacity of twirling her companion around. Then came Kyyre as he reacted to the fact that he had also seemed to forgot her existence, slowly moving down to the floor. Well, this wasn’t an angle he was really used to seeing from people. At least, in these circumstances. Ignoring the bodies around them, Leon dipped down into a squat to meet them, just as the snake moved back around his arm. “Ah, sorry. I forgot about you, lovely little thing.” He gave a guilty smile, tilting his head to look down at the snake as others began to pair off around them or leave the dance floor to enjoy the drinks. Taking in a few calming breaths, Leon offered his hand out to Kyyre, keeping his palm facing upwards. “I think you need a refreshment?” He attempted, giving his most charming smile, praying he hadn’t caused so much distress that the evident enjoyment of the dance had been sullied by this bit. They looked…okay enough. Okay wasn’t really what Leon had been aiming for, he had been aiming for elation and abandonment of inhibitions, it seemed that part might take some more time. Perhaps without a snake involved, she could watch from the sidelines next time. – So he would play this game, there was no immediate denial, no shutting down of the conversation. Maybe this heir wasn’t as cold as his kingdom. Good. Her arms remained leaning on the counter, neck twisted to the side in order to look over as Astrid as he spoke. The lazy smile still pulled onto her lips, only encouraged by the drop in tone, drawing nearer to her. “Tempting invitations? I didn’t think you’d be open to sleeping with the enemy, Astrid.” As she spoke, Andromeda leaned her head back, letting her eyes scan over the night sky above them, considering her options. While it was indeed tempting, unexpectedly so, it would be detrimental to the alliance. Probably anyway. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t play. “I only offer invitations to people I find interesting, you should be honoured.” Her eyes slid to the side, looking over at him from their corners, her posture straightened back up and her arms drew black close to her torso. “One night with you would only mean teasing remarks the entirety of this proposed truce, I don’t quite think that’s worth the trade-off.” Finally, Andromeda withdrew her arms from the bar and turned to face Astrid once more. It certainly wasn’t how she had expected this night to go, not at all. Not that she was complaining, she had many adventures that had begun like this. However, it had never involved another heir. It had almost always involved seeking out eager minds, but Astrid had a far more intriguing mind. All heirs did, they thought differently. At the very least, most of them did, Kyyre seemed to be an exception. Over Astrid’s shoulder, Andromeda caught the bright gaze of Fawn, the Misebury heir. An overly noble and strong headed woman, merely eighteen but with the mind of a fifty year old. They had never gotten along, the sun always burnt out mist. It was obvious that the blatant disgust in her expression was directed towards Andromeda, the pompous woman clearly thought she was sleeping her way into alliances. Well, maybe she would play into that. If other heirs thought their alliance to be so weak as being built upon carnal desires, it would benefit them in the long term. That and perhaps she could wriggle herself further under Astrid’s skin in the process. She kept Fawn’s eyes fixed to her own as she took steps closer to Astrid, only ripping her pale icey gaze away once she was almost on top of Astrid. “I might be swayed to make an exception.” |
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Winter Month: 3 
Night 
