𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐬. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
uncourteous) wrote2022-08-12 02:23 pm
uncourteous) wrote2022-08-12 02:23 pm
💗 - 2%
not me showing my investment from like day 1. once i finish work, i'll have an image up here.
not me showing my investment from like day 1. once i finish work, i'll have an image up here.
no subject
akin to an executioner who sharpens the blade of the axe they drop, or those who affectionately craft a noose for one's neck... who doesn't revel in the moment in which they've all but showcased what they're truly capable of. even monsters had pride.
as far as he knew, their talk on love was an inevitability rather than an idea that could or couldn't come to fruition. a conversation that was set to happen regardless of the quiet trepidation it may have sparked. if he had any say in it, he would have fervently argued that the apprehension it brought forth may have been more delectable than the conversation itself; tantalizing in all the right ways, especially when he can see weigh her down, no different than the lush fabric and jewels on her dress.
the more she rotated, flipped, and upended his words in her head, the more satisfaction he garnered on his end.
unfortunately, it looks like she had no intentions of giving him that, however. she remains impervious to his attempts at chipping away at her exterior, attempting to see her in all her unrestrained glory. maybe he envies the assassin she put a bullet in. ]
If it isn't politeness I desire from you, what do you think it is that I truly want? As you can see, I am not especially lacking in anything. [ he gestures to her and her full display of what all the wealth in the empire could purchase so readily. the crushed gemstones against the fabric giving it the illusion of sparkling even in the dimmest of lighting. the glittering pales to that of her steadfast bravery. bravery, which is only amplified as she seems to throw out her on bait.
...
her chuckles darkly, letting the doors of the banquet draw open as the servants bow their head, as if welcoming them back into the familiar light. making no secret of his words, he raises his voice, enough for it to cut through some of the nearby whispers. ] Then can I take that as permission that you have no desire to sleep tonight? [ how was that for a scandal. how much more could the duke despise him and all his ploys. while it may be his own reputation that is being tarnished alongside hers (and truly, to whose benefit?), for once, he doesn't seem to mind. the emperor must be flawless, even amongst rumors he's all but created himself.
perhaps, raeliana was the perfect piece to complete this celebration, after all. ]
no subject
to what end, raeliana can only consider as her valiant attempt at composure cracks at the edges of her smile and eyes. it's almost noble. compared to callisto's years of well-bred mannerisms and training, raeli's only had a fraction of it in a crash course upon waking up in another world. that she only falters now would almost be commendable. a hairline crack in smooth marble that only callisto can see by way of proximity.
he's just a little too close. she's had to fix her expression more than once tonight to have had some practice, but there's just something about the crown prince deciding to act uncharacteristically that's bringing the hairs at the back of her neck to stand on end. her smile's nervous; he's close enough to know that. her fingers tighten a little on his arm, but she isn't hanging close enough for the gesture to seem... that... intimate...(?) ] O-oh, how could I deny Your Highness anything? [ ... wait, no, wording, raeliana. ] Rather than permission, I'd say that it's simply a humble invitation.
To deny or accept as Your Majesty sees fit.
[ her sweet airs, the light grace with which she speaks... all still shaky with this newfound revelation that callisto is decidedly less worried about this certain aspect that he can control about his reputation. a violent warhero and a flirt? perhaps he's figured there are worse things for an emperor-to-be.
or so it goes. now within the grand dome of the dining room, the ballroom, the guests and their merrymaking, there's nowhere else to hide. callisto's still regal even when draped in dried blood, the gold of his head and ornaments catching in the gleams of chandelier light. he's a glittering spectacle with his gold-spun hair and nothing else could possibly distract from it... save for the fact that raeliana's pure white dress is a pale, stark contrast, crushed gemstones twinkling in winks of red as her train flutters across the ballroom floor.
it could just be coincidence. callisto had neglected to change because it wasn't a priority. he hadn't purposefully kept the blood on him just to highlight the change of raeliana's clothing, or to ensure that every eye is on this infamous dress with rubies that match the color of callisto's eyes.
of course not. ]
Is it a dance that you want? [ it's a question that might sound a little rude when she's ducking her head somewhat. noah's no longer at the table. she only needs to look outward to see another pair of eyes on her and it takes a bit of nervy wandering before her gaze finally lands somewhere chin-level instead of meeting callisto's eyes outright. ] Or a bigger spectacle?