starlsssankt

[starlsssankt]

Aleksander's attention turns to Alina, dark eyes meeting hers as she lifts her head. He spares a glance towards her parents once more, but it's cursory; the Darkling really does not care about either of them, in truth.

But for Alina, he has made a promise.

❝ As I said before, Alina, I have no intention of harming your parents. ❞ Of course, he will if he has to, if there is no other way; but he doesn't say such things aloud.

The unspoken is enough.

❝ I need you to come with me, ❞ he says pointedly to his wife. ❝ They will be fine... ❞

Emotions ran high in the room, that was for certain. Alina could easily see the encounter veering into dangerous territory. It was for this reason that she untangled herself from her mother's grasp despite the woman's protestations.

Aleksander had given her his word that her parents would be safe, and she meant to hold him to it. Before her father had a chance to retaliate, Alina stepped toward Aleksander.

"Leave them be," she said, voice even despite the emotional upheaval that she'd been through.

Alina paused before Aleksander and raised her chin to meet his eyes.

"What do you want? Or have you come here just to antagonize us?"

If he was to be irritated with anyone in the room, let it be her.

#sanktaalinas #verse / a duchess & a general ;; darklina / closed (sanktaalinas)

[starlsssankt]

He listens intently, even if Aleksander does not show how he's hanging on every word from her. Like an insight into his mother that he'd never been able to glean. What had been real, what had been a mask she'd used (like he does now, so many times)...

She is still alive, I assume, his aunt asks, and Aleksander cannot help but scoff. Even if he does nod as well. The fact that anything might destroy his mother is just-- it's not possible. He knows at least that much when it comes to her.

Aleksander nods along, too, as she mentions the cruelty of children. Memories flash briefly though the Darkling's mind before he silences them, pushes them down deep into the depths of the past where they are meant to stay. For all appearances, Aleksander seems stoic. Even as every word reveals more, as his heart beats just a bit quicker, as he does his best not to lean forward as if searching for more--always more.

When she mentions Ilya, Aleksander's shoulders tense briefly. More alert, now, than before, if that is even possible. So many questions float through him, each one tripping over itself in his mind on whether to be spoken first.

❝ What about your mother? She was-- She was not Grisha, I assume? ❞ At least, he'd gleaned that much from his own mother's constant dismissals when the past would be broached. ❝ You already said you feared my mother; I take it she did as well? ❞

yelena nodded. that seemed to make sense, she didn’t know bahgra as an adult or what she’d become over the years. she only had memories of what she’d been like before. she didn’t know if the darkling would believe what she had to say, but she had no reason to lie to him. he was the only person in the world who might understand their family’s story.

“your mother, my sister, she was tough.” the words started slowly as she decided where to start. a character trait that defined her memories of her sister before she’d died. “i assume she still is if she’s lived this long. she is still alive, i assume?” bahgra couldn’t die, she wouldn’t die until she was ready. of that, yelena was sure. she believed the darkling would have opened with her death if she had passed if he’d though that would get him what he wanted out of her. she had to trust that she was still alive.

“she liked to be outside, we both did.” the sunshine did wonders for them both, and whenever they weren’t doing chores, yelena found reasons to be under the large oak tree. “i played with dolls. i had a house made of sticks in the shade of the tree. i didn’t just invite her in, i made her knock on the door every time. she hated that. she had to knock to call me inside to dinner, knock to see if i’d taken something of her’s.” their father had built the house for the two of them, but yelena had decided it was her’s.

“i should have been kinder to her,” regret seeped into her voice, but there was nothing she could do about that now. “i was scared of her, and i didn’t think she liked me much. children can be cruel, i’m sure you know that.” she rubbed her thumb over the palm of her other hand, as if easing the information out of her pressure points. “your grandfather, when he wasn’t consumed with his work did try and make peace between us.”

#heartsbreaking #verse / burdened by eternity ;; main

[starlsssankt]

I love a good enemies to lovers trope, but why doesn’t anyone talk about lovers to enemies?? The betrayal, the deceit, the unbearable sexual tension. Never knowing if it was real or if it was all manipulation. That shit shatters my soul. 

#wishlist / we can have it all #// let's be honest-- it's best of all if they go back and forth over multiple books #// enemies to lovers and then back to enemies (or rivals) but ultimately end up as lovers in the end #// that shit is the best

[starlsssankt]

// sure okay, not only does MY car need to be in the shop for over a week, apparently, but my dad's jeep that I'm using in the meantime won't let the key get out and just-- ugh.

but that's not all!

What I think will be a nice and easy, relaxing weekend starts out with me waking up to water all over the kitchen floor. So now I have to have fans and dehumidifiers running for the course of the weekend (which, let's be honest, neither little Sasha OR Xaden like at all and it's freaking them out) but I typically keep both cats out of the closet because I don't want them getting "caught" in some of the tight spaces. (More so little Sasha 'cause he's so freaking TINY still but yeah...)

So my "nice and easy, quiet and relaxing weekend" has apparently turned into anything BUT.

Can I stop being an adult now?

#ooc chatter / shut up megan #// and this is why I'm only just NOW getting online even though I've been up for around 6 hours

[starlsssankt]

aspects of shadow and bone that resonate ↳ the darkling as a survivor

#visage / a face in the mirror

[starlsssankt]

He looks at her in feigned insult. ❝ You think I don't have fun? ❞ he comments, teasing her. It comes so easily, this feeling with her. Aleksander knows he should probably distrust it. That to open himself up in too many ways risks exposing things he'd rather not be known.

And yet-- It also feels good, in a way the Darkling couldn't recall feeling in a very, very long time.

❝ But i suppose I will indeed blame you for the fact that these things are not as horrible to get through as usual. ❞ The smile remains on his face, and there's a fondness, a -- perhaps love -- that flits across his expression briefly.

❝ I have spent far more time here than I have in many years... ❞

It felt good to see Aleksander smile, especially knowing that she was the cause of it. She wondered how the rest of the Grisha viewed the change in their general. He was in residence at the Little Palace more often, which must be a change. Alina didn't know how long he typically stayed in Os Alta throughout the year, but she knew from her own experience that her father was in the field most months accompanying the First Army.

Alina laughed, the gesture carefree. "Saints forbid you have a bit of fun!" she teased in kind. She'd have him dancing till dawn at every court function if she could. "I'll gladly take the blame for that."

#sanktaalinas #verse / a duchess & a general ;; darklina / closed (sanktaalinas)

[starlsssankt]

Shadows drift, Aleksander's eyes closing as he kisses her, as he feels the warm touch of her dancing fingers across his chest, his shirt falling open, falling away, with every button that Cassidy undoes. Kissing her feels like he's always known it should; like he can just be. Not planning, not plotting, not manipulating or playing the chess match by thinking a hundred steps ahead--

Aleksander has spent so long without that true connection. One mask after another, one role and life after another.

Sometimes, he wonders in the depths of his very soul who he really is. What is truth and what is lie, a manufacture of one life, one name, after another--and who Aleksander Morozova truly is.

What is real? Has he ever had the chance to truly know--

But he doesn't let those thoughts swim too deeply in his mind. Not with the warmth of her touch, the taste of her lips as his arms curl around her smaller form. Presses her closer, moving them both back towards the bed. Even the dying firelight barely pierces the shadows, but he has grown up in darkness. In blackness.

her cheeks pink as the room darkens, undoing another button of his shirt. lets him control their movements, the way he leads her body as though they’re in a dance. places one hand against his bare chest as she rises on her toes to press her lips against his. cassidy’s other hand comes up to grasp his neck as her lips part just the slightest.

slowly the hand on his chest moves to undo more of the buttons until his shirt is fully unbuttoned. his lips feel like home, and her own mouth moves in tandem with his. no awkward movements or nervousness, simply her lightly chapped lips against his. head tilting as she deepens the kiss, she lets her senses focus only on aleksander, down to the way he smells and the heat of his skin.

#heirceleste #verse / burdened by eternity ;; main #// height differences! yay!

[starlsssankt]

i think what’s on a person’s nightstand is very telling so reblog this and put in the tags the things you have on your nightstand

#ooc chatter / shut up megan #// mostly hair stuff (ties and brushes and whatnot) #// the case for my glasses and a small flashlight #// amazon echo and charging cords for iphone/ipad/etc. #// I keep the books I'm reading either in my bag or on the living room table

[starlsssankt]

They'd come close to Fjerda many times, skirted along the borders. That far north, Aleksander could understand Cassidy's assessment. It felt all the same, in many ways, and he'd preferred traveling towards the southern part of the continent.

As she mentioned, there was a lot more life. A lot more color.

Briefly, Aleksander gets taken by surprise as she mentions his mother, and the Darkling cannot help but laugh lightly. A part of him even, perhaps, considers for a moment telling a bit of the truth--

But no. He won't let those words leave him.

❝ My mother taught me quite a bit when we traveled. We-- I had no one else like me, summoning the darkness, controlling the shadows. I think even Baghra fears it-- to an extent. ❞

she nods her head as he speaks, trying to imagine what he was like as a child. doesn’t comment on the cruelty of others, knows that it is a shared experience among grisha, no matter how powerful they may be. “i remember how colorful the city felt. fjerda feels…everything is touched by snow and it feels so bland some times. like the ice just sucks the color out of everything, no warmth to be found. in ravka we see the leaves change and flowers bloom. we cried our first spring here, even now i try to take time to admire os alta in the warm weather.” pictures a small aleksander finding joy in the same things she once had, wonders if he’d been able to enjoy some parts of his journey at least.

“did you have to train with baghra like the rest of us? i can’t imagine her taking a switch to your knuckles or scolding you. even if it practically is a right of passage.”

#heirceleste #verse / burdened by eternity ;; main

[starlsssankt]

He doesn't think or worry. He doesn't plan or plot. Just like when his fingers move across the keys of the piano, just as when he takes a moment--however brief--in night's dark quiet, to let his soul truly drift in the music...

Aleksander dances with her. Moves with her. Like he can imagine this moment never ending, if only the world would stop. If only this sort of peace, this sort of calm, is ever allowed--

Ever allowed for a man like him.

His eyes close as he moves to the feel of her, as whatever music might be guiding them in this comfortable, relaxing silence is all that he'll ever need, and it isn't until he feels her body shudder in a yawn that he pauses. Aleksander looks down at Cassidy with a smile.

A real smile, soft and perhaps the first time in ages it has appeared so easily. So truly.

❝ Perhaps you should get some sleep... ❞ he whispers softly, fingers slipping around her waist as he holds her close.

she can’t help but wonder how old the general really is as he dances. it feels natural, not like someone that knows how to dance because duty requires attendance at fetes and balls. falling into step, cassidy loses time as she gets lost in the movements. it’s never like this, not on missions or with her fellow grisha. this feels like home.

cassidy is unsure of which beat they follow, but the shadows and flames seem to follow a similar one. as the wood in the fire burns, moon light pushes back against the shadows, and the two move closer together. before she knows it, cassidy has her head practically against his chest.

this…this is true peace, she can’t help but to think. so lost in the movement that the inferni doesn’t even notice when a yawn finally escapes her.

#heirceleste #verse / burdened by eternity ;; main

[starlsssankt]

He lets the silence remain; Aleksander doesn't attempt to break it, even as heavy as it is. The sun sets, the sky darkens and still they continue on. It isn't until the moon is high, the darkness having covered the forest so completely now, that Cassidy even speaks again.

And breaks that saints-awful silence.

Aleksander wants to say so much, but where is it even possible to begin? What explanation, what reasons, can he offer that might get her to pause long enough to listen? That might even attempt to bridge this enormous chasm that exists now?

❝ When was the last time you let yourself sleep, Cassidy? ❞ he finds himself asking, the first words in hours leaving him. He knows he shouldn't; that she's trying to keep professionalism here and yet that in itself kills him.

He has been alone, and with a heavy heart, the horrible realization that he still is alone doesn't leave.

❝ When was the last time you-- ❞ stopped? grieved? took a moment to even think and feel and--

the air between them is heavy, but still cassidy moves. doesn’t let the silence or weight bother her as the sky darkens around them and the air begins to chill. doesn’t stop walking as she takes the pack off of her back and pulls out rations, a small amount of dried meat and a piece of bread. hands it to aleksander wordlessly before pulling out a piece of bread for herself.

eats slowly as they walk, not stopping or checking in until the bread is long gone and the moon is high in the night sky. swallows before she speaks, refuses to let tears over come her once more and focuses on the fact that he is her general first. “there will be a tree with a large canopy coming up, it makes for good shelter and we can rest there for a while. we need to move again before first light and should be to the others by the time the sun has reached its peak.

“i can take watch while you rest. once we’ve met up there will be a healer to look you over. two of us each to a horse, one healer two heartrenders and a squaller make up the group. i’ll likely sleep for most of the ride back,” cassidy explains. knows she won’t be able to sleep until they’ve made it, that if she does she won’t be easy to wake and that isn’t a risk they can take.

#heirceleste #verse / burdened by eternity ;; main

[starlsssankt]

Aleksander shakes his head, as if she's but a child that simply cannot grasp the most basic of information. ❝ And you will ultimately realize each and every one of the goals that you were meant to. You have my word on that. ❞

He frowns and sighs. ❝ You seem to think you cannot become great if you remain. That is a falsehood I intend to dispel you of, Alina. And what life, exactly, did you plan on pursuing? ❞ Aleksander turns, looks at her with a raised brow. ❝ There is nothing worthwhile that you have left behind. ❞

Icy tendrils slid their way down Alina's back as Aleksander dispelled any notions she had of leaving. She made to speak, paused, and then tried again.

"I have a life to return to," she began slowly, both wanting to emphasize her point and to remind herself that there was a future for her beyond the walls of the cabin.

"I have aspirations, plans."

A shake of her head followed her statement. "I can't do any of those here."

#sanktaalinas #verse / there's always another way ;; au verse

[starlsssankt]

He continues to step closer, eyes forever on her. The amusement refuses to fade from his face, the relaxation remains in his posture, his stance. Aleksander shakes his head.

❝ Now I know you don't mean that. I've seen some of those other places you've wandered. Pitiable, truly. ❞

Like a predator stalking his prey, Aleksander moves around her. Both towards the window and towards Alina. ❝ Genya told me so much... ❞

Alina crossed her arms low before her stomach, as if trying to shield herself from Aleksander as he approached. Her hand was conveniently positioned near her pocket where the letter opener lay in wait. She let her shoulders hunch in a further attempt to project a defensive pose.

"Anywhere is better than here," she snapped, not acknowledging the truth of his statement.

Her muscles tensed, waiting for him to get a little closer.

#sanktaalinas #verse / there's always another way ;; au verse

[starlsssankt]

Aleksander lifts his gaze back to her, the slightest pull on his lips into what could only be deemed a true smile--or at least a hint of one--on his face.

❝ Well, then I suppose you and I have that in common. For there are none that would deem me sane. ❞

Suddenly Nefertari who seemed to have almost fallen had tears on her face.. But this time it wasn't her speaking

"if thinking a good part of you exists is insanity, I don't want to be sane"

#mysticaltwoface #verse / burdened by eternity ;; main

[starlsssankt]

He has kept an eye on Jayn through the entire process, even as he and the others arrive in London, taking up their home there. She doesn't seem to be drawing attention, and so Aleksander doesn't bother with any more threats. At least, not overtly. Ivan still lets him know what is current, whether she has tried to spill a hysterical stories of monsters in the dark--

The fact that even if she had, no one would believe her, is just further reason Aleksander feels she should keep quiet.

Zoya paces into the room, coming to lean against the corner of his desk in the darkened study. He raises an eyebrow at her in question.

❝ We've been here more than a week and we haven't gone to any parties. Genya and Nina are being rather annoying about it. ❞ She is the only one who is able to speak so openly to him, and that has only come with the centuries of being together.

❝ There is an invitation to one tomorrow night, Zoya. If you all must attend, do try not to draw too much unwarranted attention. ❞

Zoya scoots closer, leaning down to meet his gaze. ❝ And you? Can we tear you away from this desk to come and join us? ❞

Aleksander looks up at her, sighs, and eventually nods. ❝ Have the girls ready by nightfall. We will attend together. ❞

So her employer has her on a chain, more or less. It's been just over a week since Jayn & her kidnappers arrived in London. She still writes to her father in code, but nothing in his letters has indicated that he understands the danger she (& possibly the city) are in. She also continues to handle the movement of the Count's property, which might go on for the next few months (if not year) because there's just so much to move. Besides her books, Jayn's saving grace is her ability to go outside. She's too paranoid to go to the police, thinking that Aleksander or one of his women will kill her before she even reaches the correct street. That's probably why they let her leave the house without asking for permission.

Her daily wanderings are how Jayn meets Miss Alina Starkov, the orphaned daughter of a Shu lawyer who'd been knighted before his untimely death. Alina had been assigned a guardian, but she often grew bored & ran away from them, either to visit her friends who were of a lower class or to explore the park. Alina's humble, kind & fairly funny. Jayn appreciates having the girl as an occasional companion & she tries to give her advice so the poor thing won't end up being taken advantage of.

& then, one day, Alina reveals that she can summon sunlight. Jayn knows that she has already mentioned her own ability, but it's shocking. She's never heard of someone who could manipulate light.

A quiet, bad voice reminds her that Aleksander and his women are used to living in darkness & they still keep their home black by closing the curtains. Jayn would love to startle them with Alina's bright light, but she'd rather suffer in relative silence than let them use Alina for something terrible.

#dhampiravidi #verse / tbd ;; vampire au #// oh yeah that works great #// feel free to jump right into the evening or whatever #// and then EVERYONE can run into each other :)

[starlsssankt]

He comes up from below, pausing at Alina's side as she'd stood there overlooking the waters. They'd been sailing on this ship for days, and while little had been spoken about the destination, he can see the way the Sun Summoner twists her hands, grips the rail.

❝ You are concerned. ❞ It doesn't take a lot to assume as much, and Alina's tense shoulders, the sigh she gives as she nods in answer, is just further confirmation for the Darkling. ❝ Why? What concerns you so much about-- ❞

But the words never get the chance to be spoken, as the Darkling turns upon hearing the creak. The groan. Something isn't right and he knows it but before he can say anything, the monster's wrapping itself around the ship, squeezing.

Breaking it.

Men and women--otkazat'sya and Grisha alike this time--try and salvage what they can in their attempt not to lose the ship and become stranded. Not to die. Aleksander's eyes narrow at the fangs, at the almost knowing look in the beast's eyes--

He moves in front of Alina, glaring hard at it.

❝ You had one chance, ❞ he says, the sky and surroundings quickly being plunged into thick, impenetrable darkness. His blood pounds in his veins with such a reach of power, a pull of the very essence of the world.

But ultimately, he is not a Tidemaker. He cannot control the water...

Oraia knew she'd hate the memory of that day for the rest of her life. In the moment, she had been scared & angry, but once she was safe, she was simply disappointed in herself.

So she didn't give up. She went back to the sea, just long enough to assure her mother that she was alive & well--then Oraia went back to Ravka. The "young" woman spent weeks learning modern Ravkan & human customs. At night, she practiced her Squalling. On two separate occasions, her alias Oline Lund managed to convince a soldier to teach her self-defense, in return for a few smiles & polite conversation. Both times, she got the location of the Darkling, to lead her to Alina Starkov.

When she heard they were headed off the coast on a mission, she laughed to herself. It was like the Making itself was manipulating events in her favor. Surely, Aleksander Morozova couldn't defeat her in her own territory!

Her only fear was they'd return to port before she could catch them at sea. But that fear disappeared as soon as she spoke to the dockworkers, who told her which direction their ship had left in & what the boat looked like. From there, it was just a matter of patience.

When she saw the human covered in black furs, she knew. Oraia, already in her sea whip form, shot through the water like sound through air. Then, once she was close enough to the ship, she wrapped herself around it, making it nigh-impossible for it to move. She bared her fangs in excitement.

#dhampiravidi #verse / burdened by eternity ;; main #verse / there's always another way ;; au verse

[starlsssankt]

He doesn't say anything at the moment, though Aleksander does smirk. There's a hint of enjoyment in his expression, and while he doesn't want to be impressed with Jayn right then--he can't help but be so.

Aleksander nods as she turns to him. ❝ Tell Nikolai I must dispose of some waste, and I will be upstairs shortly. ❞ Now, he knows he could just leave the Fjerdan sitting in his piss, just as he could simply get one of the other Grisha to end the miserable man's life.

But he has a few more sensitive questions that he needs extracted before they're finished.

It doesn't take long, of course. The Drüskelle is far more forthcoming with information now. Apparently embarrassment is a way to get some people to open up. He'll have to keep that in mind for next time.

And about six minutes later, Aleksander strides into Nikolai's room, the guards at the doors having let him inside with a nod.

❝ There is much to discuss, ❞ he says without pausing.

Jayn doesn't turn to look at Aleksander. Frankly, she doesn't care what he thinks of her in that moment--he probably is already angry with her as it is, but this is about her mother, not him. She knows that her younger self would've been amazed to see her now, striking fear into the heart of the group that had ruined her childhood. But Jayn's simply disgusted by the man in front of her & angry that she can't directly do more to help the war effort against Fjerda.

Then the drüskelle spits in her face. She must've turned into a demon shortly after, because he quickly apologizes. "It's too late for that. You want to make a mess? Fine," Jayn hisses in his language.

He tenses up, expecting her to sever his jugular with her makeshift blade, but that's not what she does. Instead, she dismisses the ice, dissolving it into vapor as she steps back. Then, Jayn brings her palms together & gently slides one ahead of the other.

The man's body responds instinctively to her manipulations, relaxing until he realizes what she's made him do. He yelps as he wets himself, stain quickly spreading to his pants until the seat of his pants is almost completely wet. He's cursing, face red with embarrassment.

"I hope you remember my mother as the stench gets stuck in your nose & you start to shiver. Enjoy your pool of piss, pig," she tells him, wiping her face with the back of her thumb. Then she turns to Aleksander--

"We'll see you upstairs in ten?"

#dhampiravidi #verse / burdened by eternity ;; main #verse / there's always another way ;; au verse