Dehaljadrun's hands actively sparked in surprise when Puck called her a "disconnected absentee figurehead," but she managed to suppress any further reaction, at least except narrowing her eyes a little further. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of seeing he had ruffled her if she could help it. He'd always been a bit of a bastard, anyway. That much she remembered.
His shiver did wonders to placate her, though, as it ran through her body. She had forgotten how much more she could tune into the fae's reactions to her. It was intoxicating with just Puck--granted, the king--here with her, and it wasn't difficult to imagine how much more she would get out of a room full of fae. Plus, he had a point. She didn't make a habit of going out in exactly this form, and besides Puck and the previous fae kings, who had she even had much contact with in the court in the last several hundred years?
Hearing about possible attempts at garnering her favor, the goddess felt another small wave of pleasure wash through the center of her body. Perhaps she could get one of them to assassinate the king if her plan to go through the gate didn't work? She shook her head at the thought, though. She wanted to be the one to do it. But... there were other favors she would be interested in.
Also... her grapes, huh? Her lips curled up at that. She knew exactly what they were capable of. Puck knew exactly how to tempt her with what she wanted, that was for sure. Again, he inhaled, and Dehaljadrun could not help but close her eyes this time, basking in the moment. She tried to blink to clear her head, but then he leaned into her further, which had the effect of making her more aware of herself again.
In response, she reached up slowly with both hands, grabbed either side of his vest, and pulled him even closer to remind him of who was in control here. She raised an eyebrow seductively with one hell of a smirk, and her knee leaned casually against Puck's legs.
"And you're just doing this because you want freedom to come with me? Really though, what's in it for you if I attend?"
Prelude: Ten(ish) Years Prior to Meeting Evan (Puck and Dehaljadrun)
Re: Prelude: Ten(ish) Years Prior to Meeting Evan (Puck and Dehaljadrun)
Puck inhaled quickly with surprise and desire as Dehaljadrun grabbed his vest. Ugh, it's so hard to keep your head straight around this woman...
"Umm, I mean, you're hot as fuck. There's that," Puck whispered. "And hell, I'm sure you understand; when you spend -centuries- around the same riffraff, the company can get... dull?"
And I certainly wouldn't mind collecting materials for some -fucking- -crazy- -ass- potions. Plus you're hot as fuck.
"Look, I don't need to justify myself to you. Sometimes I don't even know why I do things." Puck grabbed her leg and pulled her closer to him. Ooohhh, mercy... With his other hand, Puck gently caressed her neck, trailing his fingers down her back.
"Umm, I mean, you're hot as fuck. There's that," Puck whispered. "And hell, I'm sure you understand; when you spend -centuries- around the same riffraff, the company can get... dull?"
And I certainly wouldn't mind collecting materials for some -fucking- -crazy- -ass- potions. Plus you're hot as fuck.
"Look, I don't need to justify myself to you. Sometimes I don't even know why I do things." Puck grabbed her leg and pulled her closer to him. Ooohhh, mercy... With his other hand, Puck gently caressed her neck, trailing his fingers down her back.
Re: Prelude: Ten(ish) Years Prior to Meeting Evan (Puck and Dehaljadrun)
Dehaljadrun smirked at the "hot as fuck" comment. As much as she appreciated more well-thought-out descriptions, it was nice to hear about her seductive capacity from the mouth of a fae king. She looked him over for a moment and was just about to agree to the outing before Puck grabbed her leg, his fingers running down her skin, and a flash of anger flared in her as she abruptly pushed him away. She made it seem playful, though, and she was smiling by the time he collected himself.
"Fine, I'll attend. But, immediately afterward, you and I head to the fae gate."
((OOC: At the point, Dehaljadrun will follow Puck wherever he wants to take her, so if you want to set the scene for the party, that'd be cool. We can also talk in meta about other characters we might want to throw in the background. XJ, Satyr, Sage, Ramanujan, and Ocho could all manage being dark fae, and I'm sure we could rope some of Emily's characters in if needed. Of course, I would love for you to populate the world with people in your head as well. Love!))
"Fine, I'll attend. But, immediately afterward, you and I head to the fae gate."
((OOC: At the point, Dehaljadrun will follow Puck wherever he wants to take her, so if you want to set the scene for the party, that'd be cool. We can also talk in meta about other characters we might want to throw in the background. XJ, Satyr, Sage, Ramanujan, and Ocho could all manage being dark fae, and I'm sure we could rope some of Emily's characters in if needed. Of course, I would love for you to populate the world with people in your head as well. Love!))
Re: Prelude: Ten(ish) Years Prior to Meeting Evan (Puck and Dehaljadrun)
On the following night, as twilight was setting in, a creature approached Dehaljadrun. It came in the form of Puck, dressed regally and even carried itself with all of his confidence and swagger. It was wearing golden greaves over loose-fitting purple pants and a golden breastplate that covered the top half of its torso, leaving its midriff exposed. It also sported a long, purple velvet cape with exquisite embroidered patterns draped casually over one arm, recognizable to be in a style worn by the nobles and monarchs of an ancient fae kingdom, Lemuria. The cape fluttered unnaturally for the smallest of movements; it seemed far too heavy to waft that easily.
"My Goddess, would you care for an escort to the ball?" It extended an arm to Dehaljadrun, flinging the cape aside and striking a formal but easy and relaxed pose.
This creature absolutely appeared everything like Puck. The expressions it made, its stance, and its mannerisms down to the smallest detail were all identical to Puck's. Hell, it even smelled like Puck, but there was some essence about it, some unmistakable feeling it gave off that any casual observer would notice. This was absolutely, definitely not Puck.
"My Goddess, would you care for an escort to the ball?" It extended an arm to Dehaljadrun, flinging the cape aside and striking a formal but easy and relaxed pose.
This creature absolutely appeared everything like Puck. The expressions it made, its stance, and its mannerisms down to the smallest detail were all identical to Puck's. Hell, it even smelled like Puck, but there was some essence about it, some unmistakable feeling it gave off that any casual observer would notice. This was absolutely, definitely not Puck.
Re: Prelude: Ten(ish) Years Prior to Meeting Evan (Puck and Dehaljadrun)
Dehaljadrun was having some difficulty deciding what to wear. Despite the fact that every dress she could think of fell over her body with stunning grace, she was never satisfied, and gods damn it if she wasn't going to make an impression, backed into a corner though she was. Such was the problem with being a shapeshifter: far too many options.
By the time Puck arrived, she had decided on a sleek black dress with rounded cutouts alternating down either side of the dress. It elegantly showed one shoulder, the underneath of one breast, one hip, and almost a full leg with the slit that she had added up the side. She also wore her hair twisted, curled, and mostly pinned underneath a black crown with amethyst crystals embedded inside. It would do, she supposed.
The goddess practically heard Puck arriving in all his regalia from a mile away, and when she saw him enter her open-air palace from the corner of her eye, she had to admit she was a little stunned that he had gone so far to outfit himself. Sure, the fae loved their parties, and she did think they were all a little pompous, but this was, well, regal. Befitting a monarch for certain. She briefly questioned her own choice of outfit but decided that it would be pointless to change now since he had already seen her.
Turning around to face Puck, she answered, "Are you suggesting we walk there?" with as much snark as she could muster. It was only after she gave "Puck" a good look up and down that she realized it wasn't actually him present. His mind was a little too... blank... well, blanker than usual, at least. And, that might explain the outfit. "Couldn't be bothered to come himself, could he?" Dehaljadrun added snidely, not about to treat this thing with respect.
By the time Puck arrived, she had decided on a sleek black dress with rounded cutouts alternating down either side of the dress. It elegantly showed one shoulder, the underneath of one breast, one hip, and almost a full leg with the slit that she had added up the side. She also wore her hair twisted, curled, and mostly pinned underneath a black crown with amethyst crystals embedded inside. It would do, she supposed.
The goddess practically heard Puck arriving in all his regalia from a mile away, and when she saw him enter her open-air palace from the corner of her eye, she had to admit she was a little stunned that he had gone so far to outfit himself. Sure, the fae loved their parties, and she did think they were all a little pompous, but this was, well, regal. Befitting a monarch for certain. She briefly questioned her own choice of outfit but decided that it would be pointless to change now since he had already seen her.
Turning around to face Puck, she answered, "Are you suggesting we walk there?" with as much snark as she could muster. It was only after she gave "Puck" a good look up and down that she realized it wasn't actually him present. His mind was a little too... blank... well, blanker than usual, at least. And, that might explain the outfit. "Couldn't be bothered to come himself, could he?" Dehaljadrun added snidely, not about to treat this thing with respect.
Re: Prelude: Ten(ish) Years Prior to Meeting Evan (Puck and Dehaljadrun)
"Why, of course not," the image of Puck said easily with a smirk, lowering its arm. "In both regards. My liege has matters to attend to, and walking would be far too tedious and far too dull."
At this, the creature lifted its arm again, this time with a fist full of dark, pulsing energy. Without any visible sign of effort, still displaying a half-smile smirk, it turned to hurl the ball of energy at the ground behind its feet. Two dark apparitions of steeds sprung from nothing, and the creature swung itself easily onto one of them. They too seemed everything like noble horses, dressed in magnificent barding but they seemed somehow... hollow.
It led the horses over to Dehaljadrun easily; both of these magnificent beasts were astoundingly easy to handle. "These are my liege's own riding horses; they are fae creatures as well. They are stunningly intelligent for horses as well as fast, and you will never have a ride so smooth." It stroked the horse's mane as it continued, "Well, they're intelligent for horses, but they're still basically animals."
At this, the creature lifted its arm again, this time with a fist full of dark, pulsing energy. Without any visible sign of effort, still displaying a half-smile smirk, it turned to hurl the ball of energy at the ground behind its feet. Two dark apparitions of steeds sprung from nothing, and the creature swung itself easily onto one of them. They too seemed everything like noble horses, dressed in magnificent barding but they seemed somehow... hollow.
It led the horses over to Dehaljadrun easily; both of these magnificent beasts were astoundingly easy to handle. "These are my liege's own riding horses; they are fae creatures as well. They are stunningly intelligent for horses as well as fast, and you will never have a ride so smooth." It stroked the horse's mane as it continued, "Well, they're intelligent for horses, but they're still basically animals."
Re: Prelude: Ten(ish) Years Prior to Meeting Evan (Puck and Dehaljadrun)
As the being pretended to be Puck answered, Dehaljadrun again realized that she might never understand the culture of the fae. The goddess supposed that Puck not bothering to come himself could be an insult, but she didn't especially feel like taking it out on anything at the moment, especially as the being hurled a dark ball of energy at its feet. The goddess flinched almost imperceptibly, unsure what effect that would have as a lot of the fae magic was still foreign to her, but she settled to a neutral expression as she recognized the form of the shadow steeds. They had an air of familiarity about them, and the goddess wondered if she hadn't seen them recently in a dream.
Dehaljadrun scoffed at "Puck's" comment around a smooth ride. This being clearly had no idea just who it was speaking to.
"I have my own transportation, thank you," the goddess said, curious as to whether the being would push the issue. If Puck wasn't going to show up himself, she wasn't about to allow his lackey to escort her. And, she was certain she could get there far quicker in her own way, even if it did risk revealing her identity. "And I'd suggest not summoning animals inside your goddess' palace in the future," she added, turning her back to the being.
Dehaljadrun scoffed at "Puck's" comment around a smooth ride. This being clearly had no idea just who it was speaking to.
"I have my own transportation, thank you," the goddess said, curious as to whether the being would push the issue. If Puck wasn't going to show up himself, she wasn't about to allow his lackey to escort her. And, she was certain she could get there far quicker in her own way, even if it did risk revealing her identity. "And I'd suggest not summoning animals inside your goddess' palace in the future," she added, turning her back to the being.
Re: Prelude: Ten(ish) Years Prior to Meeting Evan (Puck and Dehaljadrun)
The image of Puck snarled for just a moment, then a shocked expression rose over its eyes. Without a word, it picked up the bottom of its cloak and threw it upward, momentarily blocking Dehaljadrun's view of its body. As the cloak descended, it was somehow now empty. The creature was gone, and as the cloak fell to the ground, it lost all of its color, then disappeared completely.
The horses looked at one another, leapt off the ground and condensed back into a single ball of pulsing energy that shot into the distance toward the fae court.
The horses looked at one another, leapt off the ground and condensed back into a single ball of pulsing energy that shot into the distance toward the fae court.
Re: Prelude: Ten(ish) Years Prior to Meeting Evan (Puck and Dehaljadrun)
While Dehaljadrun had meant to be dismissive by turning away, she admitted to herself that she didn't actually expect the thing to disappear without notice. The goddess turned back around only in time to see the horses leaving, and she sighed to herself, supposing she was going to need to make good on her promise to get herself there. Goddamn the king and the need for the fae gate at all.
Still, she did look amazing, and fuck it if she was going to let her thralls be the only people who saw her tonight.
She had the urge to show up exceedingly late--after all, she and Puck hadn't decided on the length of time required to stay at the party--but she felt like she had something to prove now, and the goddess wasn't about to be patient about that.
Stepping out of her palace into the meadow in front of it, Dehaljadrun wasted no time transforming into her dragon, leaving the ground far behind as she used all the strength in her wings to propel herself into the air. She flew high above the mists and clouds, not especially eager to be seen but also not being too careful. Her purple, gold, and pinkish scales glittered like crystals against the rising moonlight of her realm and for a moment, the goddess felt completely at home and at peace.
The feeling didn't last long, however, as the fae kingdom came into view. She had never felt comfortable sharing space with the dark fae, but here they were, marking yet another boundary of the realm she was trapped in.
The dragon landed in a small clearing inside the forest and transformed back into her goddess form, her hair and outfit completely intact. Walking out of the clearing, the goddess looked for signs of life and followed them, figuring they would lead her directly to the ball.
Still, she did look amazing, and fuck it if she was going to let her thralls be the only people who saw her tonight.
She had the urge to show up exceedingly late--after all, she and Puck hadn't decided on the length of time required to stay at the party--but she felt like she had something to prove now, and the goddess wasn't about to be patient about that.
Stepping out of her palace into the meadow in front of it, Dehaljadrun wasted no time transforming into her dragon, leaving the ground far behind as she used all the strength in her wings to propel herself into the air. She flew high above the mists and clouds, not especially eager to be seen but also not being too careful. Her purple, gold, and pinkish scales glittered like crystals against the rising moonlight of her realm and for a moment, the goddess felt completely at home and at peace.
The feeling didn't last long, however, as the fae kingdom came into view. She had never felt comfortable sharing space with the dark fae, but here they were, marking yet another boundary of the realm she was trapped in.
The dragon landed in a small clearing inside the forest and transformed back into her goddess form, her hair and outfit completely intact. Walking out of the clearing, the goddess looked for signs of life and followed them, figuring they would lead her directly to the ball.
Re: Prelude: Ten(ish) Years Prior to Meeting Evan (Puck and Dehaljadrun)
The palace grounds were not difficult to find; they gave off an intense aura that seemed to demand attention, and besides, they were lit brightly with shimmering lights. As Dehaljadrun emerged into a large clearing from the thick of the forest, the palace came into view with an impressive level of decor. There were flowers mounted everywhere on the walls along with banners and other decorative details, and every visible surface shimmered subtly.
As she approached, she noticed that not only did the palace shimmer, but it shifted ever so slightly with her gaze, like a reflection in a still pond. She was walking up a vast courtyard, and here she could see other fae nobles approaching the palace with their escorts and entourages. They were, of course, all dressed in very fine clothing. Some of the larger groups would come with banners, and she noticed that each of the nobles and servants would wear clothing that matched the colors displayed from the banner.
As she approached the doors of the palace, she could see inside. The floors had disappeared completely, and it appeared as though the guests were all standing on a field of stars. Music was coming from inside the building along with the murmurs of lively talk and laughing. A doorman was waiting in black clothing to welcome her in.
As she approached, she noticed that not only did the palace shimmer, but it shifted ever so slightly with her gaze, like a reflection in a still pond. She was walking up a vast courtyard, and here she could see other fae nobles approaching the palace with their escorts and entourages. They were, of course, all dressed in very fine clothing. Some of the larger groups would come with banners, and she noticed that each of the nobles and servants would wear clothing that matched the colors displayed from the banner.
As she approached the doors of the palace, she could see inside. The floors had disappeared completely, and it appeared as though the guests were all standing on a field of stars. Music was coming from inside the building along with the murmurs of lively talk and laughing. A doorman was waiting in black clothing to welcome her in.