Senatus.event - Blog Posts
It's not the shade we should be casting It's the light, it's the obstacle that casts it It's the heat that drives the light It's the fire it ignites It's not the wakin', it's the risin' It's not the song, it is the singin' It's the heaven of the human spirit ringin' It is the bringin' of the line It is the bearin' of the rhyme It's not the wakin', it's the risin'
zahryaofspring:
✿*ﾟ ‘ﾟ･
Dislike for mortals? A hundred, even a thousand years ago, the notion might’ve made Zahrya chuckle. After all, it made no sense to harbor negative emotions for creatures so far beneath him. Pity sure, but blatant dislike? He could’ve denounced the idea completely once, but truth is fluid and the mouth of his changeling remains open unspeaking for he can tell no lies.
“Until they are reminded of their place, the denizens of this realm should not expect any love from me. Either we can wait for that, or we can remind them ourselves.” When the changeling finally vocalizes Zahrya’s words, it comes out as a gravelly hiss. The vines wrapped around its body sharpen to points unintentionally and the air around him seems to vibrate, signs of the Chancellor’s agitation. “The old ways have gotten us this far. Abandoning them purely because they conflict with the state of this realm would be foolish.”
Though he calms himself as he pilots the changeling closer to Robin’s face. “What I desire most is the safety and longevity of our people. Anything more is a distraction. Duty and desire are one for me, I would gladly give my life to fulfill both.” It may not be what she wants to hear, but it’s his truth. If Titania asked him to fall on his sword right then he would without question. “You raise excellent points, but my knowledge and wisdom can be passed on. Perhaps flesh pleasures can help bring about an heir for my court, but I worry how I’d nurture the blossom properly outside of the maze…”
...
“Fear is likely not going to remind them of their place, simply plant the seeds of spite on their hearts,” she says slowly, words measured so that he recognizes their weight. If there is anything she has learned on her PhD program is that mortals are petty, no matter how much they deny it. Show something to fear and they will seek to destroy it. The Eye proves to be a great example of that. “Please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the old ways meant for us to dazzle mortals with out feats not scare them?”
Robin is not sure, for she has heard her mother’s stories and she understands that at times her kind has done both, but it is worth asking, if merely to attempt to deescalate the situation. They are guests among the Pluto vampire’s, and bringing conflicts to their doors will only bring more trouble. Something the courts truly do not need.
“We are in troubling times, Chancellor. We cannot afford to lose our most powerful defenders and protectors with things as they are, and while it is noble that you would give your life to fulfill your duty, that is not what we need,” she begins, voice deliberate as she faces the Changeling with a mild expression. “We need leaders, and despite being able to pass on your knowledge and wisdom, leadership is a rather different skill, is it not?”
yaviefey:
-
“You can ask.” Yavie offered, for the first time since their conversation had started he offered a smile that was light, but brief. Their experiences obviously weren’t universal and though they came from the same season it was easier to count their fewer similarities than their vast differences. “But he’s a criminal, someone I should probably avoid anyways.” He took a sip from his drink, would that it was so easy to simply get the man out of his head. “I don’t think people would approve.”
...
“In that case, who is the fool that has captured your affections?” Her curiosity wins, once given permission, and she can’t get herself to take back the question because truly, she wants to know. Even more after Yavie continues speaking, the curiosity coursing through her veins as she speaks, head tilting in consideration as she tries to think on possible men that match that description. “A criminal? Surely, there must be something worthy on this man if you fell in love with him, even if it was only with the idea of him.”
sanctimoniovs:
-
Burak recognized her almost immediately. The Eladrin that has continued to get in his way in his search for the Eye. Time and time again, they ended up at the same point of where they’d been tipped off too. In part, he knew that it wasn’t her fault nor her doing that prevented him from the knowledge that he sought, but he would still blame her, anyway. For who else could his blame lie with? Yet — he was favorable for the help she lent, as terrors and creatures alike were decimated under her power. “Fine, but don’t even think about getting in my way,” he shot back, the axe he’d brought to accompany his costume already covered in the blood of their enemies.
...
“I would be getting on your way?” The look she sends him is incredulous as she allows the wall of flame to drop just as she jumps forward, sword sweeping in an arc to take a couple of terror’s heads in the process. Perhaps she can understand the lycan’s annoyance, as the two of them have been finding themselves following the same leads regarding the Eye and losing important preys due to their coincidental meetings, and yet, she cannot be annoyed. Not when she is amused and mildly endeared instead. It is always good to have more people bend on the Eye’s destruction as she is, even if said people are arrogant as him. “Really?”
summersiofra:
Siofra couldn’t take offense to certain play on words like mortals may, but she still raised a brow as if offended that Robin had showed her up in knowledge. They still had plenty to learn in the mortal realm but also could figure that Aurora wouldn’t take kindly to her knowledge pursuit being tainted by alcoholic beverages and their monikers; even if most humans did tend to openly abuse the substance. “Let us start slow with tequila and lime then,” they uttered despite being wrong about the transition from drink to drink, jumping up as a scream tore through the room, putting the summer warder on edge. “I need to find Aurora now.”
...
‘It’s lime and —,” her correction to Siofra’s understandable mistake is interrupted by the sense of dread coming from her clairvoyance, and soon is swept aside by the scream and the wave of necromancing magic that follows. Robin had not been alive the last time Asphodel had risen, but she had read the accounts, heard her mother’s stories. Fear fills her as she realizes that the coven has returned and with it the threat of the war her kind still fears due to the losses they had at the hands of the dead. Danger is in the air, and there are so many possible victims on it’s path.
“Go,” Robin nods, understanding the warder’s duty. “I will attempt to work in evacuation and wait for my chancellor’s orders.”
wadecalhoun:
“M’slow to learn, slow to motivate, always have been,” he shrugged carelessly as a zombie lunged at him, kicking them backwards and stabbing them in tandem succinctness. He had worked up to a certain bravado when it came to hunting monsters, but everyone had their limits, covered in an amalgam of blood and sweat, “Well, you know I love a good ass kicking,” he’d set up the joke as the words were heaved from his lungs, understanding full well that Robin would always take note to jab at when he was a mere scrawny kid who was motivated by pure scorn and rage. Now, well, not much had changed except he certainly was not as lost and scrawny anymore. “But, if I did want this show to reach Act Three and move to the closin’ curtain call, you got any ideas how we’d get there, sweetheart?”
...
“Now that is a lie if I have heard one,” there is a thrill of amusement on her voice as she manifests her blade once more and decapitates a nearby ghoul with a swoop. There is much work to be done, mortal and immortals to safeguard from the walking dead, and she cannot do it alone. A warder would come in handy at this time, but all she has available is her human friend. Who happens to know how to fight supernatural due to his own quest to get revenge on a demon. Understandable, perhaps, but she worries this might led him down a path she might not be able to forgive him for taking. “If I remember correctly, you were rather quick to learn what I told you once you admitted to yourself that I was rather too kind and pretty to be a demon.”
The teasing is slow and steady even as she keeps her barrage of attacks steady, ensuring a modicum of protection for the two of them. She is older and better trained, likely to be able to continue fighting for the rest of the night with the magic to bolster her.
“Now that I can believe, but you do have a breathtaking resilience, darling. No matter how many times your pretty ass is knocked down, you always seem to come back up,” her compliment flows smoothly as she raises a palm and utters a few choice words in the old tongue, sending wall of flames around them to incinerate the nearest Terrors. “Not as such, I am afraid. Magic might be able to stop the spell’s area of influence from expanding, but it will require a great deal of power. Otherwise? The spell focus must be broken, but I do not know how to reach it.”
zahryaofspring:
✿*ﾟ ‘ﾟ･
Serenity. Relaxation. Oddly enough, these concepts have been reinvigorated in Zahrya’s mind, though entirely removed from his physical body. Ironically in the last weeks, he’s felt most at peace when he wasn’t attached to his body. Letting his spirit roam and merge with changelings as he currently is has been quite liberating for the Chancellor. Though the nature of Robin’s insistence triggers another train of thought.
“Do I seem nervous or stressed? Impossible! Look, I am here at the party.” He’s reminded of Yavie earlier that evening, how ready the younger fey was to lend him power. Were the seedlings beginning to doubt him? Sure, he was beginning to struggle to maintain some sense of time and got confused on occasion, but that didn’t mean he was failing at his duties. “New is good, but some things are futile. Our bodies are … transcendent. We are not bound by base desire like the children.”
Perhaps his views were old, maybe even too old to be considered relevant, but the old ways brought the fey this far so why abandon them for conventions that’ll surely pass in a millennium or two? Zahrya held a deep love for all eladrin, but power begets power and that’s what was needed now. “My parents were born of magic older than Her Majesty, power undiluted by this realm. It runs through my veins, the omega of two ancient noble lines. Is it so wrong to want to honor that?”
...
“Zahrya, dearest, you are within a Changeling and intimidating the other party goers,” Robin reminds him softly, eyes flickering around the room in a pointed manner before they settle back upon the Spriggan before her. It is concerning, to say the least, the way the Chancellor is acting. It is not entirely out of character, no, but there is a hint of something else, and undertone that she can glimpse within his actions. Despite knowing that it is not quite her place, despite knowing that he will likely not listen as she is merely a noble from Autumn and not his equal, not quite, she has to point out the truth. “Your dislike for mortals is well known, but I do not believe you would have gone as far as bring your Changelings to a Senate sponsored party if you weren’t nervous or stressed. It is not quite your usual style.”
“A common reaction, of course,” she rushes to reassure him, not wanting to make him think she is judging him for his stress or nerves. “The situation is rather worrying, and I know you are excelling at your duties, but you are more than your duties, Chancellor. I know you will fulfill them, but aside your duties we also need you.”
She shrugs.
“Perhaps we are not bound to base desires, but they are nice, every once in a while.”
“It is not wrong to want to honor your parents, no,” she finally settles in her response, not believing she should push on that topic as it would likely be both an uphill battle and a losing one, and she would rather focus on the battle for the Spring Chancellor’s mental health.
wintersaurora:
❅
“Sound argument,” she concedes with boredom, only because it was still oddly strange to ever think to start demanding things of Robin like her superior. Not only because she had no current jurisdiction to do so, Winter to Autumn, but Aurora had slept with a sprinkling of fey throughout her lifetime and the autumn noble had been the only one who knew her prior to Chancellorship. They matured together in a sense, the same generation with the same beliefs. It kept an unspoken understanding in their odd, aloof friendship. No matter the distance and time, things always seemed to eventually circle back into two teenagers of equal standing and nobility. “If I was ever unsteady with my power and influence, perhaps, but you’re too far from my Court to understand. There’s no need for apologies,” she meant, since Robin hadn’t actually done anything to harm. Though Aurora always appreciated any gesture of goodwill. “I simply regret the misunderstanding. You were aggressively caring.” It was well-intentioned teasing spoken with borderline seriousness, but Robin would understand the delivery of the Winter fey’s very often cold humour. A strange bond they’d had. The younger fey shaped and created from birth for leadership, matured too quick, and the slightly older but free-spirited fey. It was Robin’s determined sense of order and justice from the very beginning that allowed them to relate despite differences.
At the consideration of overstepping, Aurora simply nodded appreciatively to the apology - if only because it was for Raja. “You’re telling me,” she replied with a sigh as the conversation led to Fen’harel. But perhaps Aurora did not want to get into the topic of the one she felt had betrayed her trust. Not right now. The Winter Chancellor still had some ways to go before she found the kindness to forgive the part of it that she could forgive. “On the other hand, I did want to congratulate you on your family’s recent ascent to power in the Senate.” There was the ghost of a smile on her face now. “I suppose whatever your relation is to Senator Leal Acosta, niece might be the easiest to name it. Did you know?”
...
“I do suppose there are quite the number of differences between Autumn and Fall, despite the closeness of our seasons,” she ends up agreeing, not desiring to drag the fight further than she had already done. It is rather useless to argue about something they both agree upon, after all, useless and a waste of time brought forth by the slightest of miscommunications. Their friendship, odd as it has been due to Robin’s exploration of the Otherworld and her tendency to wander around in between schemes, was an old one, a strong one. It had survived many thing, even before Aurora had been granted Chancellorship, and thus she did understood the Winter eladrin, even if sometimes she forgot to use that understanding in the middle of a conversation. She blames the six years she had spent majorly in the mortal realm, focused on her thesis and not much else. “As always, you mean. I do have to admit that my tendency for confrontation tends to be rather at odds with my usual personality, does it not?”
The comment about Fen’harel makes her curious, as she is well aware of the two Chancellor’s friendship, but Robin is aware she has pried too much for one evening, and lets the topic pass her by rather than grabbing and examining it as she wants.
“Oh? The new senator is of noble decent? Now that is interesting,” there is a smile dancing on her face as she leans closer to Aurora to emphasize her curiosity. Distant as the bond is, family is family, and after Lauma, she will cherish them all. “Now, now. Which of my cousins went and fell in love with a human this time?”
“I would have ensured you were safe for the rest of the night,” she shrugs. She might have been violating the Senate’s rules by revealing the supernatural, but really, he was currently in a vampire lead party. By this point, not telling him would be clear endangerment, and she might have been willing to send her birds into the Eye, but letting a clueless human be devoured by beasts he didn’t recognize would weight on her conscience. “There might be laws about this, but truly, who would dare to judge me, when we met in a vampire party? It’s a fair assumption to believe all guests are in the know, as you are .”
Rowan takes a second to blink at what is obviously someone not just mortal. If he didn’t know, she’d have just outed the supernatural to him and he figured that was a big ‘hell no’ kind of thing to do. He would know, he got real members of the community knocking down the proverbial door of his inbox. And he always told him that other humans just thought he was a really good storyteller, no harm no foul. “And if I didn’t know, what were you going to do?” He looks up from the wares he’s browsing to look at her, deadpan. “I am armed with knowledge, I contain multitudes.” That’s blunt too, despite the slight nod of his head to affirm it.
yaviefey:
-
“I think I’m in love with a fool who won’t love me back.” At least, not in the way Yavie wanted, not in the way that felt meaningful. How many year had it been? Several centuries, at least, they loved, they fought, they fought some more and now Yavie was here alone as he always was. “Do you think it’s possible to be in love with the idea of someone?”
...
“Of course,” she answers his question with no hesitation, countless examples found within literature springing to mind, and countless of her own experiences crowding her thoughts at the same time. Robin had always given love freely, but that didn’t mean she always did it correctly. “I have done it a couple of times, and while the experience still has worth — Well, it isn’t quite the same as falling for someone after seeing them for who they are. But don’t take me for an expert, I have yet to feel a love like the ones written about in stories.”
She pauses.
“Can I ask the name of said fool? Or would you prefer for it to remain in anonymity?”
“And it only took you what? A few years to pay back?” The question is honey sweet, even as she sends the human a nod of acknowledgment and thanks now that she is no longer overwhelmed by the undead. It had been a brief moment of distraction, as she felt yet another eladrin die and become one of the undead, that had brought her to a pause, lowering her guard and putting her in danger. She would have managed, without Wade, but she is not ungrateful. Raising her hand to takes his, she shakes her head and smirks lightly. “Not by far, not until this thing has ended. You?”
a gift for @thegoodfellow,
“Now we’re even,” Wade practically hollered out amidst the screams of innocents and the vexing groan of zombies as they tore into flesh. He’d witnessed Robin become overwhelmed by a horde and wasted no time in going forward, knowing he was in debt to her. Their friendship had become more nuanced than that but he was always irreverently reticent, playing off his unfortunate appreciation for the autumn fey with sarcasm and short remarks. Wade held a hand out for her in finality, grinning, “Had enough of the fun yet?”
zahryaofspring:
✿*ﾟ ‘ﾟ･
Ah yes, the sex. Copulation was required for mortals to reproduce and attempt to live beyond their feeble lives through the blood of their progeny. He knew some of the fey found pleasure in the flesh, but Zahrya had always seen himself above it. He knew for a brief moment, his parents held genuine love for each other and brought him forth as a result. Did he bloom out of the unions of their bodies or out of pure magic like he’d hoped for his future heir? Maybe both? It was something to ponder.
“I have tried to reproduce in the past, but have not been successful. I doubt this setting has any unique quality that would allow my seed to take root when the faerie realm could not.” Because, by his logic, what would be the point if not to expand their numbers? Not to mention there were other factors. He had no labyrinth to safeguard the child, plus the Queen was in jail. Imagine nurturing a flower bud in a world where Her Majesty was behind bars! Absolutely not. “Besides, my options are quite limited. Excluding the other chancellors, there aren’t many higher-born eladrin in attendance.”
....
“It’s not about your seed taking root,” she begins to say, deliberating how she is to explain to the Chancellor that he is extremely wind up and a quick fuck might help him wind down, considering everything else. Nothing will relieve the weight of their Queen being imprisoned, but a brief distraction while he is incapable of helping her might do wonders. “It is about a brief sense of peace, a moment to relax amidst all of our current stressors. Think of it of a sort of exercise to calm one nerves and destress. Of course, it is not for everybody and I do mean to pressure you, but it is quite a delightful experience and I believe you should at least give it a try. As a Spring Eladrin you must be aware that new beginnings, trying new things, is an important part of the cycle of life, correct?”
She has to bite her tongue to prevent a rather filthy comment that wants to break free. After all, she doesn’t think mentioning to the Chancellor that other species could be good sex partners would be a good idea. The man has made his views of non-eladrin clear.
“Now, perhaps there are not many higher born eladrin in attendance, but I have seen quite a few common eladrin that are quite the sight,” she points out as she recalls her brief re-introduction with the Eladrin Marshal. “Furthermore, may I remind you that both Fen’harel and Aurora have common parents? Implying that the children of common eladrin cannot be powerful seems rather odd, when we have clear examples of the contrary.”
wintersaurora:
❅
Aurora gazed sidelong at Robin, feeling the way her tone almost taunted. She decided she wasn’t going to be baited, not now. Only inhaling from her nose and quieting as she drank. She wasn’t going to plead for information or guidance in a matter that she had already begun tonight and concerning a person that she had known since he was tall enough to reach her knees, when she had firm doubts that her friend knew his name or his story. Important as Raja had always been, Aurora had honored her promise and kept him far away from anyone in her world, save for herself. It had worked to keep him safe this long, at the very least.
She is taking a drag of her drink as Robin bows, putting on a show of annoyance. And she was abruptly forced to remember that, despite having known her for ages, Robin does not spend much time in her Court and none in her counsil. “Did you take my demanding tone for an order? Do you forget I don’t beat around the bush - if I wanted to use influence on you in any way, Robin, I would have said so very plainly and with indisputable meaning. And why would I do so when I’d known you long enough to ask?” She sighs and puts her empty glass on a passing server’s tray. “‘That is all’ is that is all I have to say and what you may do for him. As he’s my nephew and is not wholly aware of the circumstance that he’s in, that is my jurisdiction to decide. If you have a differing opinion, share it with the consideration that I will only hear nothing of him being harmed. Otherwise, share it. By all means, I have not stopped you from being honest as you know better than to stop me.” She beckoned another server with a full tray of drink. “I’m not your cousin, or aunt, or whatever Fen’harel is to you,” she said, glancing back at Robin as the server changed course towards them. “You don’t need to go trying to read between the lines.”
...
“Why else Aurora? Politics. I am well aware how things work, and I realize we are in a fairly tentative era for the Courts. It would not be unwise to ensure your position is cemented on people’s mind, simply to make it stronger,” the explanation leaves her with a shrug, as the spite leaves her as she puts the logic into words and it clicks as a possible reason. Robin is not quick to anger, but she is not one to back down in an argument, out of instinct. She enjoys arguments, enjoys arguing and teasing out ideologies and beliefs out of others and striking them down if they are wrong. And yet, she also enjoys being proved she is wrong and learning from it. This is not a fight she wants to have, not when she still doesn’t know what is happening in the Courts or in Rome. Not when in all things that matter, she tends to agree with Aurora. “I do apologize for the my reaction, the years apart have not made me any less confrontational.”
She follows Aurora’s lead, grabbing another drink and throwing it back before switching it with another. It won’t get her drunk, but the shock of alcohol going down her throat is enough for her to collect herself.
“And I am sorry for overstepping. The party might be a delight but I almost got a heart attack when I saw there were multiple mortals in a supernatural party,” her admission comes with a sigh, mind wandering to the mortal she had met a few years back. It is likely she would have the same reaction if she found him at the party, but what were the odds? Unlikely, as it was full of supernaturals in the first place. Then Aurora keeps talking and she snorts. “Read between the lines? I need to bring a damn microscope every time I want to try and talk to them. There are layers underneath the layers, and while that is sometimes fun, sometimes is plain annoying.”
edeliexii:
But the specific community she’s discussing are the halfbloods. Granted, most of them probably wouldn’t want nothing to do with her after the transition, however Èdelie still stands proud as formerly being one. She adores their relatively small bond. What she didn’t like while being a halfblood is the constant confusion as to what to do and what not to do, or who she’s allowed to discuss her abilities with. There was no embracement; all that she’s known was self-taught or incorporated after the rarity of meeting one or two halfbloods throughout her lifetime. While thankful an obvious change is occurring, it shouldn’t take now for others to realize the detrimental harm embedded in past mistreatment of halfbloods. “I’m glad you’re able to acknowledge inclusivity is needed. It would’ve meant a lot to me had I still been one of them.” She doesn’t want anyone to think her fight for halfbloods equates to dissatisfaction as a fey, either. Losing former weapons such as sharing the tongue of animals may have been unfortunate, but taking the time to not only relearn that but the realm of feys has been treasurable. Èdelie doesn’t take of this for granted, using her free handle to fiddle with chocolate locks as her chewing slowed.
“I mean, hey,” Èdelie began to advise, serene at this point. “It doesn’t hurt to try. There’ll be no issue if clear communication is put in tact; age doesn’t really affect the matter at hand.” If halfbloods choose not to mingle with feys tonight, needless to say… Èdelie wouldn’t be surprised nor fault them considering the lengthy hassle to gain representation.
...
“Darling, I have a PhD in Governance from an American university. Equity and inclusion might not be a part of the curriculum exactly, but I wasn’t discouraged from taking the classes or doing my own research, I have seen the data.” And what data. The studies had not accounted for supernatural differences, of course, but it was a rather fascinating thought exercise to extrapolate from one to the other. Of course, she couldn’t make a one by one comparison, and there is many psychological differences based around immortality and the like, but there is no denying that diversity of thought lead to innovation. Romulus, the Tinkerer, many others embodied this realization, and supported her conclusions. Now, if only prejudices could be overcome. Sadly pettiness is rather common both amongst her kind and other species. Perhaps something to do with having so much power on their hands. Who knew? “It is kind of you to still think of halfblooded even now, not many else would have done it if they were in your place.”
“And try I will to talk to the halfblooded, I can promise that much,” she finally relents with a nod. She can do that much, after so many years away from the walls of Rome. “And to talk to those who are older, and yet, I cannot quite agree with you. Many of the older generation are rather adamantly against mortals and halfblooded alike.”
yaviefey:
-
Yavie wasn’t having nearly as much fun as he wished he was. Everyone looked nice in their costumes, maybe not as good as him, but not everyone could pull off a pumpkin like him. “Have you ever been in love, Robin?” Yavie asked, his voice a stranger as it fell through the mouthole of the pumpkin that sat on his neck.
...
“Yes,” Robin admits with a shrug, mind going back to William and Anne, and the many paramours she has had over the years. She has loved them all, in different ways, but all of them were meaningful. There has been no one true love, but there is time for that right? Beings as long-lived as them could afford the wait. “Although I don’t know if my definition of love and yours are exactly the same.”
sabinabrutus:
“I imagine they’ll suss out any lost party goers, just have to use their nose as bloodhounds for the bloodbags that are still trapped in the castle.” It’s a dark and disgusting way to refer to the party goers but Sabina has always prided herself in her general disregard for social niceties. “For tonight, we’re allowed to go wherever we want. Is there any mirrors you’d recommend stepping through?” She doesn’t know if she’d take the recommendation, she loves to take chances just to see what’ll happen but she does not trust Eladrin and doesn’t believe that they won’t send her to the otherworld as another attempt at the changeling army.
...
“And what if they don’t until it is too late? Castles are a rather dangerous thing,” she points out with a sigh, eyeing the mirrors both with interest and wariness alike. Robin would be fine no matter where the mirrors lead, but she had seen more than one mortal amongst the guests and the poor dears would likely unlucky enough to cross the mirror into a predatory vampire or something of the like. At the least, she has to make sure that the mortal which Aurora calls family does not step into the room. He seems like the sort that would be unlucky enough to accidentally become someone’s meal. “I haven’t gone through any myself, I am currently fighting my curiosity to do just so. I haven’t been in Rome in years so I don’t know whether to risk it or not. Any suggestions from your side?”
who? @sanctimoniovs
where? the graveyard, still
She finds the lycan fighting alone in the middle of a dozen Terrors, and she doesn’t hesitate to jump into the fray, flaming blade sweeping to distract the undead before going into the offensive. Years of experience in combat allow her to accommodate to the man’s fighting style, covering for his weaknesses and ensuring no one gets close enough to take a killing blow. She hums as she fights, crafting a ward against a bunch of covering supernaturals in the corner, and when the barrier comes up, she withdraws her blade, raising her hand instead to create a barrier of fire around them.
“Alrigth, wolfie. What are your thoughts on partnering for the night? I need to make sure as many people get out of here as possible, and you are a pretty good fighter.”
who? @sabinabrutus
where? the graveyard
Fire is an element that comes to Robin as easy as breathing, an intricate diamond blade set aflame manifesting on her hand as soon as the danger makes itself known. She had sensed the strange magic as soon as it had swept upon Rome, heard the words of the Pythia and felt the dread swept over her as her clairvoyance hit her with the all consuming emotion. Then chaos falls upon the once melodious party and she sets asides her worries to examine later, fire sweeping around her as she hums, the smell of Autumn following her as blistering flames consume Terrors and protect the living. She will not allow harm to befell to anyone, not if she can help it. Eladrin might be her priority, but she would never allow the fate of a Terror befell an innocent soul.
“Down, mortal,” she orders the pretty woman before she sweeps her blade above her and decapitates an unsuspecting Terror.
wintersaurora:
❅
Aurora sighed, rolling her eyes but nodding. “I understand, Rob, I do. But unless you’ve been in that situation, I really could not explain to you how difficult it is to think of anything but giving peace of mind to the people that you care about, especially when you’ve already made their family’s life difficult to begin with by bringing in your own world.” She wouldn’t have bothered even explaining that much, as little as it was, had it not been Robin. But Aurora had known her, barely after the cusp of maturity, and so she had always held her words back less. They flowed out like a reckless young adult’s.
“I never mind how harsh you are, you already know I don’t. But don’t extend that to him and don’t act like you know my nephew or the situation better than I do. If you mention anything about him getting killed or bound again, I’m going to take that very seriously,” Aurora replied, impressively calm. “And I’m trying to be level-headed tonight. So while you’ve given me some sage counsel, Robin, the best you can do now is keep an eye on him every once in a while if you’d like to help him in any way. That is all.” Though much unlike their youth, Aurora now spoke with the crushing finality of a Chancellor.
...
“According to you our experiences do not align in the slightest,” she notes, voice amused still even as the ever present warmth fades from her eyes. It is not that Aurora is fully wrong, and yet she is not fully right either. She had brought plenty of mortals into their world, whether they wanted to learn about it or not. Anne and William had just been the beginning, the parents and childrens she had set up for her plans a continuance of said actions. Despite the Chancellors assumptions, she knew rather well what it mean to bring someone to this world. She did not care for all of her birds equally, but she is not heartless and there are some she had loved and lost for the greater good. Still, she gives Aurora some grace, as she knows nothing of what is going on behind the scenes. ”I will simply add that I have actually experience similar situations, but I see that doesn’t matter so I shall keep the rest of my words to myself.”
Aurora is an old friend, and Robin will always hold her dear for that. That doesn’t mean that Robin approves of her every action, nor she likes some of them. The younger eladrin’s tendency to default to her position as a Chancellor as a trump card over and over again is one of the things that grate her the most. It’s truly infuriating when she believes herself to be better just because her father died before his time and she was chosen to replace them. Yes, Aurora had the prowess and the intelligence necessary to assume the role of chancellor, but damn did her arrogance undermine her every move when she used her title to end every argument, assuming that being a chancellor could make up for being wrong.
“Of course, Chancellor,” she says thinly, with a brief yet almost mocking bow to demonstrate her annoyance at the other’s use of her position in what was supposed to be a conversation amidst friends. “I will endeavor to do as Your Excellency orders, despite the fact you do not head my court.”
edeliexii:
Because Èdelie is aware of the difficulties halfbloods experience trying to navigate life half human, half fey, she seeks to help them as much as possible while developing relationships and practical skills with fellow eladrins. She didn’t want to live a life shunning them, considering her current lifestyle equally as important to what it was before. “There’s a lot more needed around here, particularly inclusivity.” For a community that prides itself in the goodness of their nature, eladrins aren’t omitted from facing scrutiny on behalf of Èdelie. She’s not one to dance around what’s deeply rooted within her, and she didn’t particularly care if any others heard the disapproval hinted in her comment. Proceeding with her words, Èdelie also slipped out, “I don’t think I would’ve been able to successfully transition had it not been for Farenduil, either, so all of what I’ve done is credited to him.” He became more than a mentor at this point, refusing to acknowledge his lineage in her conversation because it’s not what solely defines him as a character.
Nonetheless, the brunette slowly reached forth for a light snack as a form of distraction, generating a few thoughts. “There’ll be no change unless we all work together… that means all feys being a lot kinder, gracious, and welcoming to the halfbloods. Because halfbloods matter, right?” Her lashes batted rapidly while waiting an answer, cheeks reddening to truly know Robin’s stance on the matter. “I think they’d be nice to drink with tonight despite us not getting drunk.
...
“Inclusivity does tend to make society better, yes,” she admits in amusement, lips pressing back the grin that is trying to spread through her lips at the young eladrin’s attempt to manipulate her true sentiments out of her with batted lashes and endearing demeanor. Robin doubts such manners would work with many of the more experiences eladrins, but the younger ones? Well, they were all suckers for a pretty face, her included. And truly, it is not as if she has disguised her own feelings about the matter at any point. Lauma’s dead had been tragic, unneeded, and so had been that of his lover and his children. Perhaps she puts her kind before the others, but she does care for other species, as confusing or infuriating she finds them at times. “Farenduil is an excellent friend to have, I agree. Our discussions about the week of the month are always a joy.”
Carefully, she brings her glass to her lips, and allows herself to grin at the attempts of manipulation. Truly, Èdelie is delightful on her attempts. How fun.
“Of course halfblooded matter, and it is rather disheartening that this conversation still continues unto the modern age,” she agrees easily, choosing to indulge the other with her truth. “The issue is convincing the old guard and those who listen to them. We are an old people, and while I am more than willing to share a drink with halfblooded, some would rather stick to their beliefs because caring for something fleeting is a challenge of it’s own.”
wintersaurora:
❅
“Wonderful,” she muttered softly. “Next time I come across a terrified mother, family to my dead lover, I will absolutely seek to make a more exploitative promise.” Aurora sighed. She could already hear her father’s voice in her head telling her there was no need for her attitude now. Robin had no idea how many years Aurora had tried little nudges in the right direction for Raja, only to get nowhere. She relaxed her shoulders and sighed, letting the defensive aggression fall away. “If I could ask him if he’d like to know that his entire world was full of the monsters in his nightmares and stories, I’d have done so.” Aurora gazed over at Robin, thoughtful. “You’ve spent as much time in the mortal realm as myself, at the very least. Most of them can be stubbornly blind and those that aren’t…” She trailed away pointedly. It was a slippery slope, one they’d all witnessed. Fear could lead to understanding, but it could also lead to violence.
...
“Well, when you word it like that it’s an issue, you make it sound so wrong,” there is a look of mild judgment on Robin’s gaze as she takes a sip from the drink she had swiped from one of the passing servers. “But regardless, my answer would be yes, you should. We are long lived beings, my friend, we need to ensure the promises we make allow us room to be creative. What we believe to be right today, might not be what we believe in tomorrow, after all. Seasons change, and with them the truth. You should know that as well as I do. Sometimes, promises meant to protect, don’t do anything but harm.”
Robin meets Aurora’s thoughtful gaze with a calm one of her own. She understands her struggle, in a way, but at the same time, the things she mentions do not apply here. If she is worried about the man’s future in Rome due to supernatural influences — Well, ignorance isn’t bliss. That is all that needs to be said, and if phrased delicately, most enemies can become allies.
“Do you fear he is going to react negatively to the news? If so, he can be killed or bound so that he does not harm any supernatural,” she points out, mildly. “And if it is not that. The only thing that could be holding you back is that you are afraid he might look at you differently after. And well, that is no excuse at all, is it? Apologies if I come across as harsh, but this situation is rather worrying.”
edeliexii:
Apart from her worries centering around Eric’s lack of immortality, Èdelie’s in a dashing position. Her work life remains the same and she’s encountered several meaningful relationships due to her transition; her overall placement in life seems set. “I’m less confused as a fey versus when I was halfblooded. There’s more of a community which is unfortunate, but the halfbloods are beginning to get their well-deserved recognition day by day,” she replied, sincerely rooting for their success. “I’d have wine to mellow down when I was halfblooded and still do. I’m not heavily dependent on alcohol, though, so whether the tolerance is there or not doesn’t bother me.”
...
“That is an excellent view of it, I am glad you are a ‘glass half full’ kind of person. We do need more of those around,” she smiles softly at the new eladrin — Èdelie, was it? — , approving of her behavior. Much had changed for the young woman, and yet she seemed nearly unbothered by it. Of course, it could be that they had just met and she is yet to be privy to her deepest desires, but until she is shown evidence to the contrary, she will just assume the Winter Court has gotten lucky and gotten another functional fey amidst them now. “And I do agree, there is much more of a community than with the halfblooded, and yet I cannot help but hope things continue to improve for them.”
“And I suppose that is a good way to see it, but I admit I do enjoy complaining about not being able to get drunk with human alcohol so you might hear me say a thing or two about that.”
yaviefey:
-
The expression on his pumpkin head was a frown long before Robin came to sit next to him, everyone here had someone. For the most part, anyways. Some people even had multiple someones. It made him homesick for someone who wasn’t here. “I saw, it was very scary.” Yavie agreed, though his heart was clearly not in it. Maybe it was time for him to go home, this party wasn’t as fun as he’d hoped it would be.
...
The exaggerated pout soon turns into a concerned frown as she turns to look at him, eyes soft at his expression. Carefully, she leans closer and bumps her shoulder against his in an attempt to comfort him without making it too big of a deal, not knowing if he is in the mood for that or not. “Are you okay, Yavie? Anything I can do to help?”
zahryaofspring:
✿*ﾟ ‘ﾟ･
Here he was, pulling off a feat that most couldn’t even fathom, and yet again Zahrya had a sneaking suspicion his miracles were underappreciated. While this normally would bother him, he’s enjoying himself too much. The looks of shock delight him, the expressions of disgust are committed to memory. He wondered if those same individuals would still look at changelings like that if they were to become one…
Robin unintentionally saves someone from being whisked away and made to find out by Zahrya’s hand with her statement. It’s strange the customs mortals come up with to celebrate their insignificant holidays. “I would never take part in such an activity,” the creature groans out, its noises resembling speech as closely as Zahrya could compel. “Leave the bones of the deceased in the ground to feed the plants. Throwing them at me would do no good.” The young ones were always trying to get him to assimilate. Why would he want to be associated with a species who found pleasure in tossing the remains of their fallen at each other?
...
For a moment, Robin is so very glad that she has become quite adept at maintaining what humans call a poker face, because if she had not, the possibility of her bursting into inappropriate laughter after Zahrya’s retort would have been a reality and not just a possibility. That wouldn’t have done. While she quite enjoys talking to the Chancellor as if they were her pears, she would never openly insult them without a built rapport between them. Aurora is a rather different case, as they were friends and occasional lovers before she became Winter Chancellor, but Zahrya? As she is not of the Spring Court, and nowhere near his age, she is not as close to the Chancellor. Insulting him with inappropriate laughter wouldn’t do —
But revealing what she meant would. After all, she did mean her comment as it had been honest. Perhaps relieving some of the tensions he has been carrying since Titania’s imprisonment would help calm down the near manic energy the spring eladrin is exuding.
“Pardon me for the misunderstanding, Zahrya, ‘boning’ is a mortal euphenism for sex,” she explains patiently, an innocent smile on her face as she speaks, showing no hint of shame at the topic of conversation. “I am just suggesting that perhaps having relations with an attractive individual might help you enjoy the festivities, as many chose to do in Hollow’s Eve.”
wintersaurora:
Dark eyes settle on Raja as she takes another sip of her martini, now taking her sweet time in responding to the fuming Autumn fey. She only looks back to her when a good-looking man with pointed ears interrupts Raja’s walking and offers him a drink, steering him towards the ballroom and briefly meeting Aurora’s eyes.
“... That isn’t just any human, that’s my family. Of course I gave him every protection.” Stern eyes soften into something akin to worry as she sighs and turns her attention to the other fey, Fen’harel’s distant family. Robin was one of her favorites in the Autumn nobility - more modern than many of her peers and with an admirable understanding for life that far extended the Otherworld. But she was also loud, and Aurora’s attention was stretched far too thin that night to focus on arguing with anyone. “I promised his mother that I would let him learn about the world completely on his own but, unfortunately, being ignorant in Rome now will just let him killed far quicker... So I’m speeding up the process of making him not ignorant, Robin... I don’t like it anymore than you do.” A pause. “Though I am grateful you care enough to say something.”
"Aurora, darling, dearest. Should I say that I have no words? But that would be lying, I have all the words, beginning with why and ending on what," she shakes her head in what can only be described at exasperation at the younger eladrin's actions. Before she even finishing speaking, a hundred and one plans form on her head, a hundred and one other possibilities in which Aurora could have revealed the truth to the poor human without risking his safety to a hungry crowd. Despite it all, though, she stays her tongue, deciding against further irritating the Chancellor when she already seems too stressed for words. “I will not utter another word, then, however I do suggest you begin phrasing your promises so that a loophole can be exploited, that promise of yours is not going to help him, even if it is what his mother wanted. After all, do you know if that is what he wants?” Then she shrugs. “Just doing my job as a good Samaritan, there is no need to thank me for it.”
who? @meryasek where? in front of the embassy vendor
"I am guessing it would poor taste to start humming to the tone of 'What'd I Miss' from Hamilton, right? Or would you like for me to serenade you? I do have excellent vocal skills," the question leaves her as she swipes a drink from one of the attendants and slips next to Mery. As far as she had gathered she had missed a lot, which is rather infuriating as she had left a mere five months. At least this time there was no attack of the Eye imminent. She hoped. "Do you want me to regale you with how many animals adopted me this time, instead?"
who?@farenduil where? the cemetery
"I hear you can now be considered a DILF," she mentions, raising one of the glasses she is carrying to offer to the princeling. Is she mildly irritated that he is walking around when his daughter is nearby? Sure, but it's not the kids fault, and she doubts Farenduil realizes how privileged he is to have the right to meet his children. She will have to warn him about the Eyes movements at some point, though, what with their interest in halfblooded blood and all that jazz. "Congratulations are in order, Faren. Or should I call you daddy?"
She had no intentions of doing so, but she is curious to see his reaction.
who?@edeliexii where? ballroom
"How is immortality treating you, darling? I am sure it's quite the adjustment," there has not been a moment throughout the party in which she had not had a drink on her hand, and this time she brings a mojito to her lips as she asks the winter eladrin. "I am sure your new tolerance against human alcohol is a bit of a bother, is it not?"
who?@yaviefey where? the cemetery
"Oh look, my favorite pumpkin fellow!" She finds him in the cemetery, close enough to the RaveYard to hear the music but not dancing. An exaggerated pout overcomes her face as she sidles next to him and points at someone they can barely see from the distance. "I must warn you, dearest, there is a spirit wandering around going as the Headless Horseman and his pumpkin is scarier than yours."
who?@wintersaurora where? the hall of mirrors
"I have to ask, do you want your human friend to die? Because that is how they fucking die, my friend," she tells Aurora, pointing towards the sheet ghost wandering around the party and getting dangerous close to what she thinks is a rather angry-looking revenant, who also happens to be rather close to the stairs that lead up to the vampire orgy/eating room. "I thought you liked humans? It seems rather cruel to bring someone who knows shit all about the supernatural into a party that is the metaphorical equivalent wolf's den. Tell me that you gave him protection charms at least, I will have to be disappointed on your treatment of humans otherwise."