#❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || answered ❞ ━ ☙

[strywoven-moved]

@theydefy asked : ❝ i heard voices . last night . saying horrible things . ❞ // rian to kaen !

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

Any morning greeting which had risen ‘pon the tongue is silenced when Kaen pulls back from placing a kiss to Rian’s cheek ( the words uttered to their perked ear : we must speak , it’s important ) .  No room to disagree , not the time to a s k for details , the Stonewood is already marching beyond them to a more secluded path where they can talk without interference.  Standing stationary a moment , Kaen simply takes a breath , lifts their chin ( gives themself the reminder – again – that he is effectively above them in rank even if not wholly above them in power ; whatever is his ask , he is to receive ) .  “Yessir,” They hiss under their breath , out of earshot , nearly spat to the ground at their feet.  Still , the godling’s stride covers ground much q u i c k e r than he , they easily manage to fall into line at his shoulder ( a good soldier , a loyal tribute , as always ) .

Once effectively away from the others , Kaen resumes their place leaning ‘gainst a tree , hand motioning for the younger to say as he will so they may in kind listen.  Even ‘fore he’s to open his mouth , they can t e l l it’s not pleasant news.  If they have learned anything at all it is how to read the character of gelfling – most especially those closest to them.  Rian , though he’d rise to argue otherwise , is EASY for them to diagnose ( he is , after all , their lover ; the first they laid with , the first they gave themself to in all the ways a beloved knows how – mind , body , & even soul — ) .  They can s e n s e it like an uneasy prickling in their heart , feel it radiating from him ; something has gone WRONG , and his fury , his displeasure , is palpable to them in such a way that makes them feel some sense of pre-distaste.

Rian discloses his piece and though they are n o t quite surprised ( after all , not every army is without its few spoiled souls to disturb the flock ) , they feel their expression show something to the effect of CONCERN .  Red brows knit together , dark gaze casting away in contemplation.  “... Those tha’ ye ‘eard sayin’ these things … Dissenters ?”  They don’t have to look at him to know he’s affirming what they both already know.  “Troublin’ news…”  Spoken more to themself than him , a hand coming up to knead at the juncture of hitched brows.  They sigh , lowering their hand and looking at him again.  “Ah’ve ne’er been in this situation b’fore , Rian , Ah wouldnae know where ta’ begin wit’ somethin’ like this.”  Even in saying the words , they sense he’s already figured out a course of action , perhaps even prior to telling them.  Letting them know what was happening was merely a c o u r t e s y before anything was done and that drove a burning bitterness into them they’re not sure what to do with.  The realization comes to them : Rian may meet this problem with equal force.  No risks could be taken , nothing could be left to chance.  He may very well intend to KILL THOSE who stand in the way of what is right for his people ⸺

But , they wonder , does spilling more blood ( however warranted ) solidify faith ?

“... Wha’e’er ye decide , Rian,” Kaen says , “Ah’ll stand by ye.”  Chin inclinces , antlered head bowing slightly ( a sign of respect as much as resignation ) .  “Yer will is m’own , aye ?”  They just hope his will does not steer them wrong.

#❧ ━ ❝ OOC || maybe QUEUE really are just some forgotten story in the end || queue ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || answered ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || verse vi: TDC ❞ ━ ☙ #theydefy #theydefy || rian

[strywoven-moved]

@theydefy​ asked : ❝  we’re  a  family  now.❞ // kylan to kaen <3

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

          FAMILY—  A word that had little meaning ‘til now.  They never felt at place ( at peace ) in The Wyrd , but have – by some stroke of unfortunate Fate – found a meaning and a h o m e in Thra ( a world that did not belong to them , did not breathe life into them , but all the same sung to their soul & lived in their heart ) .  By proxy of the gelfling , by forging now such lasting b o n d s with these otherworld creatures , the godling at LAST UNDERSTANDS the full merit of what Kylan implies ; and so many times have they returned the sentiment , so many times have they held the hands of the others and spoken thus , ‘brother’ , ‘sister’ , ‘lover’—  But none of them quite compared to the measure of faith and trust they have vested most entirely into Kylan.  Him , the f i r s t to welcome them ; him , the f i r s t to bridge the divide ‘tween god-creature and other-creature ; and he , the one who f i r s t found a place in their heart and said , i don’t mind making a place here , in fact it is quite nice.

          For a moment , there is silence – though not a disrespect nor a discomfort , but a mindfulness that overtakes the sweet doe as they again take in his offering ; savoring , perhaps , what little grace it still provides them despite how they both understand the inevitable.  Taking a breath , as if able to breathe in his love further , Kaen opens their eyes to look at him , smiling sleepily.  “Ye’ve been tellin’ me tha’ a lot lately,” They whisper , letting the god-speak drift easily ‘round their words , lilting it in gentle musicality.  “‘S almost like y’re worried ‘bout somethin’.”  Which in turn worries them.  They watch him , looking for any sign they’ve struck the quick of the t r u t h .  Finding nothing , they laugh softly , reaching out to lay a hand to his cheek.

           “Maybe Ah’m th’ one lookin’ too far inta’ it.  Ah think e’rythin’s startin’ ta’ take a toll on me.”  Something not easily said in the presence of their comrades , but Kylan deserves them at their most h o n e s t and vulnerable.  “It’ll be okay , though , Ah know it will.”  Spoken more for their sake than his.  Hand shifts , reaching for his tucked ‘tween them , intermingles their digits and pulls it close to rest his touch over their heart which beats even still STRONG & STEADY in their breast , humming faintly alongside the song of Thra.  “But we are family , Kylan , we are.  Ah wun’ let anythin’ change tha’.  Ah’ll always…”  A pause to yawn , eyes closing again , the dim glow they’ve been giving off for his sake beginning to go dark as sleep starts to drag them away , “... Love ye… Always…”  And even unconscious , their grip on his hand remains s e c u r e ; the reminder that they , too , speak in earnest – they’ll never let him go , perhaps not even in death.

#❧ ━ ❝ OOC || maybe QUEUE really are just some forgotten story in the end || queue ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || answered ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || verse vi: TDC ❞ ━ ☙ #theydefy #theydefy || kylan #i'm gonna get cavities over here GOD

[strywoven-moved]

@theydefy​ asked : ❛ i guess we both lost something we were fond of. ❜  // kylan to kaen!

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

          It is still foreign to them to be allowed to c r y so freely , so plainly ; tears feel strange on their always-dry cheeks , catching ‘round stones and falling in some sorrowed downpour to an open lap.  Once it starts , they know it shall be quite h a r d to stop — after all , they spend more time than they should on holding their emotions at bay , keeping each one carefully controlled / constrained so nothing breaks the exterior of gefling’s so-called BEACON ( a weakness , they were told once in reprimand , you are weak ; a good soldier does not sit & sob , they stand & fight ! ) .  For better or worse , Kaen learned to keep their heart q u i e t e r than necessary.  But here , far out of reach of the despondent Lessers , the godling knows a meager safety in showing the cracks ‘neath their charade.  And they are sure Kylan would be the least likely to judge them for such a thing ( in fact , they are sure kylan is one of the few who would rise to challenge this repressive logic they’ve been vested with ) .

          Without much warning , they reach for their little brother , gathering him up as if one of their once-toys and holding him CLOSE & TIGHT to their breast ( the thought rises : mind your strength , sweet creature , you could crush him if you are not careful enough ) .  After a moment , Kaen loosens their grip , allowing Kylan to sit comfortably in their lap.  They smile at him , fixing his hair from the way they accidentally messed it.  “We ‘ave , aye.  An’ Ah’m n- not sure tha’ th’ losses get easier each time ‘r ye jus’ learn ta’ handle it better.  Either way … Ah’m still waitin’ fer th’ grief ta’ pass.”  Perhaps , though , that was their own fault ; loving so much , and so DEEPLY / FULLY — every death struck them in a way that felt like a piece of them continued to get taken away without their permission ( first with allyra , now here where loss was so constant it seemed inescapable — ) .  A sniffle , hand lifting to rub their eyes with their sleeve.  “B- but we still ‘ave each other , so tha’s worth somethin’.”  Or so they want to believe it is.  Nothing is quite as s i m p l e anymore , but they’ve never been more sure of anything in their life : Kylan is their family , nothing would change that , not even the war that continues to take everything away.  “Ah- Ah’m right grateful , y’know , ta’ ‘ave ye , Kylan.  Ah’m not sure wha’ Ah’d do without ye sometimes,” They admit with a small laugh.  

#❧ ━ ❝ OOC || maybe QUEUE really are just some forgotten story in the end || queue ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || answered ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || verse vi: TDC ❞ ━ ☙ #theydefy #theydefy || kylan

[strywoven-moved]

@bedlamology​ asked : kane is here with some freshly baked cinnamon rolls in hand. he wasn't sure if kaen would enjoy them, but he's hopeful. "I made these this morning if you would like some."

          It’s a rather pleasant surprise to see Kane come to them for once.  After the first few encounters the young godling was almost s u r e they had spooked him off for good ( not that they can especially help it , they hide their timid demeanor behind an open-armed sort of grace ) .  Even so , he’s greeted just as kindly as ever – bright smile and all , the charm of gleeful l i g h t glinting in the crystals flecked ‘cross their doe-like features.  They do their best not to startle him this time , refraining from their typically f o r w a r d approach.  Instead , they wait for him to do the talking , blue hues widening like sapphire saucers when he brings forward a box full of fresh-baked goods ( cinnamon ! they smell cinnamon ! ) .  Mouth falls into a softspoken , surprised , ‘ oh ! ’ , furred ears flicking upright and forward ( though unseen , their wee tail begins to flick to n’ fro ) .  Internally Kaen clutches at their chest , palm pressed to the wall : he bakes , too !  gods alive , we really are twins ! this is the happiest revelation i’ve ever heard — !

          But what a SILLY proposition !  Of course they want some !  Sweets were one of their ( many ) vices.  His hopes do not go squandered as a wee hand appears from the overgrowth of a colorful sweater sleeve , reaching out to pluck one of the buns from the bunch.  “Thank ye , Mr. Kane !”  They chirp , already quick to take a few bites.  A swallow , an appreciative hum.  “‘S very good !”  And they mean it , too.  “Ye said ye made ‘em yerself ?”  This is quite interesting , it piques their curiosity ; perhaps he’s got other hidden talents and interests , too !  The potential for friendship continues to build , the faun is practically riddled with j o y .

#❧ ━ ❝ OOC || maybe QUEUE really are just some forgotten story in the end || queue ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || answered ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || verse i: MAIN ❞ ━ ☙ #bedlamology #bedlamology || kane #kaen is on a quest to befrien kane it seems

[strywoven-moved]

@lupusxdei​ asked : “🔥?” (Kaen)

PROMPTED.

          “Fenrir ?  Attractive ?”  A little STARTLED to be asked such a question , seemingly unprovoked.  Kaen offers the other a s k e p t i c a l , narrow-eyed squint.  But what could it hurt ?  It was not as though the wolf was here and listening to their conversation.  “... Ah would say so.”  The affirmation comes softly , as if still trying to hold the words c l o s e , unwilling to release them into the world for fear the great beast may actually hear them ( & what then ? ) .  

          Busy are their motions , a constant flurry of filling orders and attempting to maintain over-the-shoulder conversation.  The faun is forced to wait for a break in the chaos so they can continue their thoughts.  When the moment comes , Kaen rests their arms atop the counter , offering the other a sheepish smile.  “Ye know this’s none o’ yer business , right ?”  Can’t help the teasing commentary.  “But Ah think - aye - Ah think he’s ‘andsome.”  Hands fold ‘neath chin , antlered head tilting to n’ fro as they gossip about their thoughts so unabashedly.   “Can ye keep a secret ?”  Not awaiting an answer , they brazenly continue , “E’en in knowin’ we’re pro’ly doomed ta’ be wha’ we are –”  PREDATOR & PREY .  “– Ah still enjoy ‘is company n’ Ah jus’ like lissenin’ ta’ ‘im talk.”  They giggle , “Ye know there’s somethin’ ‘bout a rough voice n’ rougher hands , right ?  Really does it fer me , Ah guess !”  Gods , how grateful they are that Fenrir could not hear them now , talking about him in such a way.

#❧ ━ ❝ OOC || maybe QUEUE really are just some forgotten story in the end || queue ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || answered ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || verse i: MAIN ❞ ━ ☙ #lupusxdei #remember: #they didn't say a word

[strywoven-moved]

@lupusxdei​ asked : Without any hesitation, without thinking more than twice, Fenrir hugged Kaen, clenching their shoulders with his arms as he pressed their back against his chest. He had understood that he had used the wrong term in the sentences he had uttered a few minutes earlier, without pondering the proper words to say to them: he had no reason to hurt the feelings of the faun; after all, he felt admiration for them, as well as nurturing a certain sympathy.  ❝  I'm so sorry, Kaen, I didn't mean what I actually said. It's just that I'm not used to having someone around, inside the house and who loves my company. I'm a lone wolf after all.  ❞  He kissed their cheek before releasing them from his grip.  ❝  Forgive me.  ❞

          The faun is such a SMALL & DELICATE creature , it does not take much for the wolf to catch up to them , to envelope them in his embrace and pull them close.  What Kaen anticipates – the rend , the bite , the ANGER – does not come.  Instead they are greeted with something so entirely u n l i k e him ; so uncanny to his disposition that it startles them more than if he would have come forth with aggression ( gentle offerings are not easily taken ; this altar has been long-since ruined by cruelty , you see ) .  Violence was predictable to them , but kindness was not.  It made them falter in an already uneasy course ; it made them cower with uncharacteristic uncertainty.  If the tears had not come by now , they were assuredly set loose with such a well-meaning gesture.  Great , silent , weeping-rivers spilling down those cherub-round cheeks , making his kiss wet and salty.  In his hold , the wee godling t r e m b l e s , all those MISERABLE EMOTIONS pouring out of them , leaking from the seams.  No matter where their hands tried to plug the flooding cracks , another seemed to break and begin.

          Fenrir is SORRY , and Kaen is sorry as well , but they have no voice to say the words – to tell him they simply misconstrued his tone and what he had said— The line ‘tween sorrow and joy is blurry here , they can’t tell which one they feel anymore ( it is often hard to discern when such things lord over them constantly ) .  But make no mistake , they f o r g i v e him ; they would always f o r g i v e him.  Even as he pulls away , seeks to step back and give them room to recover , Kaen is quicker to spin ‘round and CLING TO HIM , small arms hooking about his waist and pressing their wet face into his torso.  It comes out muffled and messy , but they manage at least something for his troubles , “Ah- Ah forgive y-ye…” A quiet sniffle.  “Ah won’ e’er st-stay mad at ye…”  Grip on him is firm , as if they are more than afraid the wolf will leave them again.

#❧ ━ ❝ OOC || maybe QUEUE really are just some forgotten story in the end || queue ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || answered ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || verse i: MAIN ❞ ━ ☙ #lupusxdei #ugh... #this is so sweet #sort of

[strywoven-moved]

@imstarwalkin asked : mal is just gonna come closer and plant a big ol' kiss on kaen's lips. why, you may ask. he felt like it.

Busy , busy , busy — ! Oh , there was so much to do ( & as the saying goes , there was barely ever enough time ) . The kitchen is rife with commotion ; the faun has occupied not solely the oven , but nearly a l l the counterspace with the sweet-smelling mess of whirlwind baking routine. Malzeno’s entire home is scented like a b a k e r y , and although the dragon has come along into the kitchen , perhaps drawn in by whatever it was Kaen had gotten up to , the wee doe is so entirely e n g r o s s e d in their task , they barely take notice of the other redhead leaning ‘gainst the countertop and watching the scene unfold ( it’s cute , isn’t it ? a homemaker by name alone ; covered in batter , singing along to the radio playing nearby , a dance-like gait addling their step every time they shift ‘tween stations— ) . Until they happen to t u r n , and promptly let out a small yelp of surprise seeing Malzeno smiling at them nearby. Pressing a floury hand to their breast to ease their startled heart. “Ah- Ah didnae ‘ear ye come in ! Ye should make some noise next time , ye a’most gave me a feckin’ heart attack.” Even with the scolding , he’s laughing ( not at them , they know , but they can’t help the pout pushing their lip ) .

Using their apron , Kaen cleans off their hands. “Lemme jus’ finish this last batch then Ah’ll be yers fer th’ day. Ah made some extra fer ye , too , o’course !” They point out a small plate of various treats set to cool on the windowsill. “But Ah promised Ah’d get all’a this done by t’night fer th’ sale an’ —” And they hardly realize the dragon is moving around the small counter , coming towards them as they mindlessly ramble about the things they have to get done before sunfall ( such a busy-body , they are , when did they ever have time for anything ? ) . It surprises them when he s t o p s them midsentence , calling out their name in a familiarly TENDER sort of way ( he has that look on his face that says , really kaen ? again ? ) . Effective only a moment , Kaen is about to launch into another tangent when his lips greet their own , his hand warm and comforting ‘gainst their cheek , keeping them anchored into the sweet moment. Whatever they wanted to say is suddenly l o s t on them , the woes and weights of whatever it is they were planning on achieving almost nearly f o r g o t t e n . The tension that had been working through them the whole afternoon begins to ease away , their smaller frame leaning into him , eager to accept the reprieve he offers. When they draw away from each other , the godling feels … More r e l a x e d . With a touch of flustered light glinting in their stoney features , Kaen smiles up at him. “Thank ye , Mal. Tha’- Tha’ actually helped.” Not that they’re sure it was his intention , but it worked.

#❧ ━ ❝ ooc || maybe queue really are just some forgotten story in the end || queue ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || answered ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || verse i: MAIN ❞ ━ ☙ #imstarwalkin #imstarwalkin || malzeno #yes good #this is the content i needed

[strywoven-moved]

@crystalcracked asked : ❛ what can you do but hold your hand out in the dark ? ❜ // kylan to kaen!

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

“Hold out yer ‘and …” Momentarily looks up , ears perking. “... In th’ dark …” Mumbling , repeating the words without LISTENING to them , without paying them any mind. Frowning , they look back down to the reading in their lap. Forgive them , won’t you ? They’ve no intention to be r u d e , most especially not to Kylan. It seems they are still scorned for being DISCHARGED from the frontlines. Rian intends for them to see reason – and this , he perhaps believes , might be the only way to do it , to r e m o v e them from harm’s way until they find sense – though if the doe were some shades less respectful or less loyal , there would be n o t h i n g the good Captain could do to keep them from their place beside the others in the war ( somehow , they sense he knows this ; it weighs over them like a shadow , a constant reminder of the blood which divides them — he is nothing , it says , but you are everything ) . But , if they can provide no service THERE , they could be of some help HERE , for Kylan and his studies ( the nuisance of language be-damned ) . After all , there were t w o sides to every coin , and there was a time when retainers would have argued that Kaen would have been a beloved scholar-king rather than a warlord.

The tome they have is handled gingerly , with great care , as if one of their own. A lender from – oh , they are t e r r i b l e with names ! – was it Dyn’lo ? The Forgemaster. A strange creature ( as if they’ve any room to talk ) , but incredibly intelligent. Scarred fingers trace over the sketchings and scrawls on the pages unfurled in their lap. He was kind enough to give them some materials for their own magic , a book that might help them learn how to further harness their geomancy ( or , at the very least , give them a few ideas & a push in the right direction ) . Each turn of the weathered text intrigued them further ; between their own god-magic and the Dustling’s forging aptitude … It might be plausible to COMBINE both attributes in the name of the Resistance. If they could do that , they might be able to m a k e things that could silence not only the Order but the Skeksis threats at once — ! Still , they ought to be c a r e f u l ; the stronger the magic , the higher the price which demanded to be repaid.

Pulling out of their musings , they glance over to Kylan ( though it might’ve only been but a moment or two since he spoke his piece , kaen can’t help but feel guilty for ignoring him ) . They offer up an apologetic smile – however unnecessary – shifting to place the borrowed grimoire atop the desk in front of them with a satisfying THUMP . “So , ye said … Ta’ hold out yer ‘and in th’ dark ?” They turn in their spot , resting elbow ‘pon the knee and propping chin in their palm. “D’ye mean reachin’ out ta’ one’s OWN dark ‘r reachin’ out ta’- ta’ others in the dark ?” There was indeed a difference , they figured , and each required a different sect of strength to endure. “Kylan,” Kaen begins tentatively , frowning a bit , ears lowering. “Ah agree wit’ ye , Ah believe tha’ people need a ‘and ta’ reach fer ; tha’ e’ryone’s got th’ potential ta’ be pulled back inta’ th’ light but…” They shake their head. “Ah mean no offense when Ah say Ah also believe we cannae save e’ryone , either. Sometimes- sometimes there’s nothin’ t’be done. Darkness ‘s all they are , an’ we mus’ accept tha’.”

#❧ ━ ❝ ooc || maybe queue really are just some forgotten story in the end || queue ❞ ━ ☙ #crystalcracked #crystalcracked || kylan #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || answered ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || verse vi: TDC ❞ ━ ☙

[strywoven-moved]

@crystalcracked asked : ❛ nothing makes me happier and nothing makes me sadder than you. ❜ // gurjin to kaen!

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

Nothing … Makes him SADDER ?  Where perhaps the godling would have typically had something clever to say – a quip , or even some upbeat nonsense to brush aside the souring tension – they seem now REMARKABLY SILENT ; a rash tongue rendered tame by Gurjin’s honesty.  After a moment ( more like several ) , Kaen sits up from the bedding , unable to keep watching him ( & what were they waiting for exactly ? a resolution ? something more to be said ? ) .  The sheets sustaining their modesty spill off them in a flighty furl , collecting in a cotton-knit pool ‘round their bare waist.  Idly , they pluck at the threads of their braid ( tangled with beads & feathers on behalf of kylan & their fellows ) , eyes downcast to their lap and features etched with contemplative c o n c e r n .  On purpose , they DIM their glow , shrouding them both in darkness ; as p u n i s h m e n t , they do not want to be seen.  This , not an act of retaliation unto him , but to save whatever meager pride they have , to save themself from showing off how HURT they are by the drenchen’s words ( they feel it , the sting in their eyes & force it back ‘fore those crystal tears dare to cross their cheeks – they will not , shall not , cry for this ! yet it burdens them no less ) .

What could they say to something like that ?  Verily he was waiting for them to reply— Not to sit there like a fool and pretend not to be SOBBING over it.  It’s his hand grazing over their stone-flecked back that rouses them from their stupor ( he knows , they think , it’s not so easy to hide from him ) .  Each gem his fingers happen to fall across respond to his touch , HUMMING & GLEAMING , bringing them back into the light.  Kaen takes a breath , blinking a few times and turning their antlered head to look at him.  “... Ah … Ah make ye SAD , Gurjin ?”  There it is , a note of telltale p a i n in their tone.  One they don’t make to quiet or dismiss.  “What d’ye mean ?”  Neverminding how they make him the most HAPPY , it’s the sorrow they’ve fixated on , the thing the can’t seem to avoid — not with him , not with Rian , not with Kylan … not even with their father.  W h y ?  As if Gurjin had the answer to such a demanding , powerful question.  They reach out to him , pressing a hand to his cheek.  Their smile wavers , their vision blurs again.  “Ah’m sorreh fer tha’... Ah dunno tha’ it can- can be helped.”  Like they cannot quite help the slight weeping hitch in their voice , the a w f u l knowing that this was how it was going to be.

#❧ ━ ❝ ooc || maybe queue really are just some forgotten story in the end || queue ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. kaen || answered ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || verse vi: TDC ❞ ━ ☙ #crystalcracked #crystalcracked || gurjin #you come into my house #the house of [redacted] #and you make me sad ? #get AWAY from me moogle #but don't actually this is great it's my favorite flavor

[strywoven-moved]

@bedlamology asked : He’s got his cutest cardigan on and a pair of black slacks. Ever the one to dress nice regardless of what he was doing, he waited patiently for his companion to arrive. Upon spotting them, Kane smooths his clothes out, stands, and waves to them. His name twin as they so proudly had proclaimed (truly an adorable thing). “I saved us a table, but I thought it would be better to wait for you so that way you knew exactly where we were going to be seated. I hope you like this place. Their lunch menu is to die for.”

His greeting is returned , own hand lifting and offering an energetic wave of their own upon approach.  “Kane !”  Chipper , as always ; simply g l a d to see him ( surprised , too , that he invited them to lunch ) .  “Ah hope Ah didnae keep ye waitin’ too long.”  There was some traffic downtown , after all , which would explain why they were a few minutes l a t e coming off the bus ( & gods alive , did they loathe being late ! ) .  “Oh !  Aye , tha’ sounds great.  Dun’ worry , Ah’m sure Ah’ll love it,” A few notes of a laugh leaves them , “Ah’m not really picky wit’ m’food , an’ Ah’ve ‘eard a lotta’ good things ‘bout this place.”  They turn , looking towards the restaurant in question ( a quaint place , not really a diner , not really a big establishment either ; something pleasantly in-between that makes them smile ) .

“Thanks agane fer askin’ me t’lunch,” Their gaze shifts back to Kane , furred ears flicking upright , wee tail a'swaying behind them.  “Ah hate ta’ admit this but … Ah dun’ really get ta’ ‘ave little outings like these very of’en , so - uh - ‘s nice , y’know ?  Makes me h a p p y ta’ know ye thought ‘bout me.”  Bashful air overtakes them simply to admit something like that ; so SINCERE in the way they say it , they balk in the power of how l o n e l y their words may make them seem.  “So , shall we ?”  The faun motions to the doors up the stairs behind them.  Letting Kane lead the way , they chime in again , “Ah like yer cardigan , by th’ way !  Where’d ye get it ?”

#❧ ━ ❝ ooc || maybe queue really are just some forgotten story in the end || queue ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. kaen || answered ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. kaen || verse i: main ❞ ━ ☙ #bedlamology #bedlamology || kane #i love these two sm

[strywoven-moved]

@crystalcracked asked : ❝ oh , you must tell me the songs you know . i’d love to hear them . ❞ // kylan to kaen !

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

“Hear ‘em ?”  Can’t quite help the free-falling notes of a giggle which topples ‘round own echoed query ( indeed , a strange thing for him to say ! ) .  Kaen lifts a hand , gingerly ruffling the other’s neatly-kept hair.  What they say next is the least bit teasing , lilted by lighthearted pleasantness so rarely found of late ( a marker of kylan’s ability to draw their nature forth ; to dig to the quick & summon their good spiritedness ) , “Kylan , dun’ Ah sing ta’ ye a’most e’ry night ?”  A promise they’ve aspired to keep since they decided he was THEIR BROTHER ; his demons quelled by song , by the lullabies Kaen remembers in faint and fainter memories ( a once-mother holding her faun , abolishing their fears & singing them to sleep in a voice kaen only vaguely recognizes now ) .  “Ah s’ppose y’re not really askin’ ‘bout those old lullabies , though , huh ?”  Antlered head cocks curiously at him , red brows lifting.  They assume not , anyways.  He surely seeks the other songs they know from The Wyrd ( & there are many which rise to mind ) .

Carefully reaching ‘round him perched there in the loose fold of their legs , Kaen plucks up their PAN FLUTE ( ironically a gift from their father , a subtle endorsement of their interest in performing arts ) .  Bringing it to their lips , they play a lulling , trailing m e l a n c h o l y melody.  “Bein’ in th’ resistance reminds me o’ th’ sad songs most.”  The ones the forces would sing to each other in the dark of the night , Allyra mentioned , to restore resolve and enforce morale.  “... An’ th’ song Ah performed fer Allyra’s funerary rites , o’course.”  Distant expression overcomes them , eyes glazing momentarily as they stare OFF & AWAY to some unseen horizon back home.  Blinking out of the trance , they look back down to Kylan , “Not all o’ ‘em are sad , we’ve got some folk songs , too.”  Heard in their time sneaking into taverns , away from the confines of the Citadel , in the evenings commingling with the Folk and feigning they were SOMEONE ELSE for awhile ( someone normal ) . 

Smile is easily replaced , lighting up their stony features.  “Ah’d l o v e ta’ teach ‘em ta’ ye,” Spoken with an excitable nod.  “But ye’ll ‘ave ta’ do somethin’ fer me , aye ?  Teach me th’ songs ye know , too !  E’en in gelfling , Ah wanna …”  They were going to say ‘ take them home with me ’ but stop themself , frowning momentarily ( i’m not going to make it home , am i ? ) .  “... Ah wanna ‘ave somethin’ else ta’ share wit’ ye.  Like our own lil’ secret !”  Though it’s never been a secret the two of them were each musically inclined ; stirring the spirits of their company through the way of s o n g .  “Perhaps we can also … Make a song fer each other.”  Something about them , the godling means to say ; about an impossible bond , an impossible FAMILY .  Perhaps then … No-one would forget either of them.

#❧ ━ ❝ ooc || maybe queue really are just some forgotten story in the end || queue ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. kaen || answered ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || verse vi: TDC ❞ ━ ☙ #crystalcracked #crystalcracked || kylan

[strywoven-moved]

@theydefy​ asked : ❝ you’ve just seemed … different , is all . ❞ // kylan to kaen !

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

          DIFFERENT—  Though the comment may’ve been benign , the godling shows what can only be a look of f e a r , as if Kylan’s held a looking-glass to them and all but offered them to look at their reflection - to truly indulge , to truly SEE FOR THEMSELF what sort of new beast they have become ( & they want terribly to turn away from it , to tell him they see nothing , to tell him nothing has changed— ) .  And it is in that unseen mirror they notice that war has done m u c h to them ; BROKEN & ALTERED them in such a way that transfigures them into someone nearly unrecognizable from themself ( their light remains ; their kindness remains ; but their heart , their mind , their soul have all undergone a transformation / an evolution ) .

          Eyes are quick to depart the younger’s face , eager to break the spell and havoc his words have wreaked ‘pon them.  Their hands … Are not their hands any longer , Kaen notices , the softness in them long hewn away by scarring and battle-ready roughness ; there is now an always-there p u l s e of fire lingering ‘neath their flesh and tinging their touch.  Scarred digits clench tight together , a soft sigh leaving them.  “... In what way ?”  A question they’re not quite sure they w a n t the answer to , but an answer that m u s t be heard regardless.

          Gaze rises , peering through the veil of red lashes , giving the impression of someone YOUNGER & QUIETER than the creature they have been forged into of late.  “... Ah’m —” Voice hitches in a way to suggest e m o t i o n coming caught on their words , “Ah’m sorreh.  Ah know Ah- Ah must’ve CHANGED but Ah…”  But you w h a t , sweet doe ?  Stayed the course despite yourself ?  Discarded and destroyed the pieces of you that would not serve someone who f i g h t s and handles war ?  They shake their head ; they cannot bring themself to say they are STILL THEMSELF , that they are still at all WHOLE as they were when first they’d come to Thra and first spun songs with Kylan— It is now so very u n t r u e .  “Ye will love me jus’ th’ same , wun’ ye , Kylan ?  Even so ?”  A few blinks , a few tears springing free and hitting their lap as shimmering crystals , dancing to the ground in solidified sorrow , toppling away from them in delicate , grieving motion.

#❧ ━ ❝ OOC || maybe QUEUE really are just some forgotten story in the end || queue ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || answered ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || verse vi: TDC ❞ ━ ☙ #theydefy #theydefy || kylan

[strywoven-moved]

@blccdflcwers asked : [COAT] - sender zips / buttons up receiver's coat for them.  ( Fenrir x Kaen )

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

Unprompted is the way the great wolf prevents the faun from going any further , they’re confused , leaning ‘round his towering form to get a view of the door behind.  Hand lifts , points m e e k l y to their only exit , “Fenrir…”  They begin quietly , an uncertain expression falling ‘cross doe-like countenance , “Ah- Ah’ve gotta’ get goin’ fer th’ bus , otherwise Ah could be late fer work.”  And they can’t have that , now can they ?  They’ve spent YEARS building an almost-perfect rapport with their boss and coworkers ( & they were not about to allow another god-creature to ruin that streak , no sir— ) .

For a moment , they’re certain he’s finally lost the ongoing test with his resolve ; for a moment , they can feel the collecting stones of d r e a d begin to weigh heavier in their gut ( this might be it , they think , he might make a move ) .  But relieved are they when he reaches for them , r o u g h l y pulling them in by the collar of their knit-jacket with little preface other than the grumbled words of ‘ you’ll be cold going out like this ’ .  Quick work is made of the buttons adorning their coat , large digits making ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN the coat is both secure and comfortable ‘round their petite form.  How s t r a n g e it is to watch him mutter to himself and futz with their clothes as if they’re a child ( has he forgotten what they are ? ) .  They can only manage to stand there and watch , a haplessly e n d e a r e d look overcoming their features ( how flattering it was for an eoten to be so very overprotective of them that he worries himself silly over something so trivial & unimportant ) .

“Cold ?”  Kaen parrots , laughing at the prospect.  “Fenrir , Ah wun’ be cold.”  Own gloved hands lift to gingerly pluck his away from them , to help prevent them from further messing with their clothes to the point of seeing INVASIVE .  Fingers curl tight ‘round his hands , holding them hostage in a warm , tender grasp.  “Ah like these seasons th’ most , ‘s no bother ta’ me.  Ye dun’ gotta’ worry ‘bout it , Ah promise.”  They were born in the winter , after all , and these chilly climes made them the most comfortable , the most AT EASE .  He doesn’t seem swayed , and they can tell he’s refraining from picking apart their logic.  It’s no use , is it ?  They can’t reason with him on something like this.  Huffing to themself , Kaen shakes their head , lips twisting into a smile.  Leaning up on their toes , they make to lean near enough to press a thankful k i s s to his cheek ‘fore settling back to the ground.  “Ah ‘preciate th’ concern , though.”  Letting his hands go , tucking their own into the pockets of their coat , they carefully move ‘round him to get to the door.  They pause , looking back , “But , y’know , if Ah a m cold when Ah get back… Ye can warm me up yerself.”

#❧ ━ ❝ OOC || maybe QUEUE really are just some forgotten story in the end || queue ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || answered ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || verse i: MAIN ❞ ━ ☙ #blccdflcwers #blccdflcwers || fenrir #kaen kinda... #testing the waters there... #:smirking: #it doesn't hurt to be a little cheeky with an ancient wolf does it?

[strywoven-moved]

@tvstarkuma​ asked : ❛ we might kiss when we are alone. ❜ A flirty bear for Kaen

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

          Over time , it became almost n a t u r a l to embrace Teddie and his ways ; no longer did the ask to go on ‘ dates ’ seem quite as world-endingly terrifying as it once had before and no more was the faun quite so stubborn about his affection ( they are quite sure all he says & does is from a sincere place , they’ve no reason to doubt him ) .  And so they find that many of their days are spent alongside him ; where one is , it would be customary to believe the other is assuredly nearby.  This sort of friendship is a RARE THING , Kaen knows.  One of those bonds that is built strong , and built to e n d u r e all that comes its way.  They would venture to say there was very little that could overturn it now , not even for all the oddities Teddie seemed to have nor for all the sorrow they themself still possessed which may rise to challenge their course.

          So when Teddie calls on them that evening , do you suppose they refuse ?  It’s impressive how QUICKLY they get ready ( the humdrum of academics interrupted & easily put to the side ) , the glow of girlish glee spilling through them at the prospect of another date-night ( as friends , of course ) .  So off they go to their usual haunts : a dinner , a quiet walk in the park afterwards where they can talk without being overheard by patrons or interrupted by a waiter.

          Autumn is already sinking into the weather , making evenings colder by the day.  Kaen ( although always warm ) keeps themself close to Teddie , with their hands joined together and their head resting on his shoulder whilst they talk and stroll along the leave-scattered path.  It’s only been a few hours , but as usual … Their face hurts from smiling , their heart is SWELLING with fondness , fit to burst if they’re not careful with it.  It’s his commentary that punctures the moments , earning their s u r p r i s e as they stop walking and lift their head to look at him.  He’s smiling , they notice with slight chagrin , likely f l i r t i n g carelessly again— But Kaen’s baffled expression dissolves into a SMILE , dark eyes bright with a deviously cheeky light ( oh , he won’t get out of this that easily ! ) .  Free hand rises , slipping ‘neath blond tresses to press lightly at the back of his neck , asking him lower.  “Alone ?”  They echo , own lips dangerously close to his , their body leaning n e a r e r .  “But , Teddie , we a r e alone.”  For the most part.  No-one still roaming the park seemed keen on bothering them , anyways.  Voice lowers , a soft little teasing note , “... Will ye kiss me now ?  ‘R are ye jus’ makin’ jokes ?”  The faun knows e x a c t l y what they’re doing ; they don’t play this game often , but it seemed appropriate to make an exception just the once , if only to see Teddie potentially become flustered.

#❧ ━ ❝ OOC || maybe QUEUE really are just some forgotten story in the end || queue ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || answered ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || verse i: MAIN ❞ ━ ☙ #tvstarkuma #kjcnsdkjn #i told u he was tempting fate #but the question is... #does he meet it or does he back down??

[strywoven-moved]

@theydefy​ asked : ‘ but what else is there to hope for? ’  // rian to kaen!

A prompt I lost IDK .

          What …                              ELSE … ?

          Such inquisition gives the godling pause , antlered head tipping just so to their shoulder as they mull over the words.  And a funny thing , too , to ask THEM of h o p e ; what it is , what there was of it left to cling to— Kaen knew many a thing about it.  How , when vested in the hearts of the many , it became a force – second to love , contrary to fear – that could drive and empower all of them.  But Rian … Asks them w h a t there is , specifically , to hope for ; what there is that he can set his faith in amidst such a faith-rending cause.  For that , Kaen is not sure they’ve got an answer worth voicing ( & verily quite a fair few come to mind ) .  Rather , none that may quiet his concerns ; none that may absolve him of his own demons they know he possesses.

            Thoughtful is their expression , but their eyes are downcast and uncertain , features t e n s i n g the longer the silence stretches them further APART ( almost palpable , like a great hand come to tear them each away from one another ) .  It is in that expanding interval of mounting silence that Kaen chances to lift their eyes , to REACH FOR Rian , who stands with his back to them , resting scarred hand ‘pon a shoulder and asking him gently to turn ‘round.  “Ah’m not sure Ah understand,” They reply at last , voice quiet and softened , “Are ye askin’ me sincerely ‘r are ye speakin’ ta’ th’ wind agane ?”  After all , they’ve known him to speak into the aether once or twice , not exactly seeking an answer despite how they would’ve liked to provide one.  Kaen smiles , features a l i g h t i n g in their usual way , though how they smile for him is especially FOND , isn’t it ?  As if to always wordlessly tell him they love him without outright saying the phrase.  “If ye wan’ m’honest opinion , Ah think … There’s a lot left ta’ hope fer.  ‘Cause e’en if our stories are ta’ end , it wun’ r e a l l y be th’ end , will it ?  It’ll keep bein’ writin’ , it’ll keep fightin’.  Ye’ll see.”  An OPTIMISITIC NOTION if ever there was one to be heard , but would it hold ?  Would it prove to be true ?  Kaen seems convinced , at least , and they hope even the barest offering of positive outlook might help their beloved along as well.

#❧ ━ ❝ OOC || maybe QUEUE really are just some forgotten story in the end || queue ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || answered ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || verse vi: TDC ❞ ━ ☙ #theydefy #theydefy || rian

[strywoven-moved]

@theydefy​ asked : ❛ please - don’t do this. ❜  // rian to kaen!

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

          The words fall as stones in a nigh bottomless wellspring , the ripples from each PLEAD sending echoes of d e s p e r a t i o n that shakes the godling to their core ( how they feel their heart tremble & break with the force of his voice no matter how quietly he’s spoken his piece ) .  In the moment , he’s secured a grip on them , managed to catch their collar and turn them back ‘round ‘fore they got up again.  The expression Rian wears is one Kaen has become truly – intimately – FAMILIAR with lately ; he shows no aggression , not even a trace of hardness , there is instead an obvious pain in him , an urgence to convince them they have done ENOUGH ( but it is not ! it is not , can’t he see ?! no matter what they do , it is all in vain ! )— How many has he lost , now ?  How many m o r e would he be forced to let go of ?  And Kaen , even so , seems likely to be a n o t h e r he must love and lose.

           How terribly they want to hold him , to assure him they will stop ‘fore it is too late— But the words that come to them , that stand to rise in their voice seem disingenuous.  None of what they h o p e to tell Rian would come from an h o n e s t place , not even from their heart.  And both ought to know better ; the godling is RELENTLESS in their design , in their damningly set conviction that so readily – so w i l l i n g l y – pushes them into a self-dug grave ( it looms over them , lording over all they do : you’ve set your path , sweet thing , now pay your penance to it ) .

          Breath comes ragged , shaken , pulling strained from bleeding lips.  Own dark eyes seem to pierce the dark veil of the night shrouding them , looking not AT but THROUGH , deep and deeper still into their beloved stonewood with a gaze that is distraught and w i l d with rising uncertainty.  “Don’t …”  Kaen repeats in a gruff voice , the tone of it roughened from their mounting exhaustion.  Hand rises , clasping fire-touched fingers ‘round his wrist ; they don’t intend to b u r n him , but their magic is already coursing through them , singing his flesh inadvertently.  Their grip t i g h t e n s by dangerous margins ( careful , mind yourself – a voice now-distant warns , resting an easing touch ‘gainst their hand ) , a strength that remains behind even after all they’ve prior endured.  Kaen leans forward , ears pinned , lip curled back from sharpened teeth.  Words are thus pronounced , punctuated each in turn , slow and with purposeful delivery.  “I … MUST … Rian.”  Not even a thought to reconsider , they’re prying his hand away and making to stand despite how their body ACHES & TREMBLES when they rise to their feet.  It will lend to their inevitable destruction , they know , but at least they did everything they could.

#❧ ━ ❝ OOC || maybe QUEUE really are just some forgotten story in the end || queue ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || answered ❞ ━ ☙ #❧ ━ ❝ ch. KAEN || verse vi: TDC ❞ ━ ☙ #theydefy #theydefy || rian #this... hurt to write actually #so fuck you first of all