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 Posted: Fri May 16, 2025 10:43 am
| Inessa and Enzo meet for the first time. He's determined to melt that icy exterior. |
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2025 12:32 pm
 
The cold air cooled his skin once he left the training grounds. His breath came in rhythmic clouds, each exhale hanging heavy in the dark. The ground beneath his boots was firm, with brittle leaves cracking underfoot. Running and training dulled his thoughts, wore them down into something more manageable.
Enzo had decided to do some combat training that ended up lasting for a few hours, but the tension still lingered in his shoulders. Sleep never came easy for him, it had been a struggle for years, even before the war. His thoughts always ran too hot, too fast. Memories, half-dreams, mistakes, looping and looping. So, rather than go back to his dorm, he ran. Partially, he did it to tire himself, but mainly, he wanted to outrun what chased him inside his own skull.
The trail behind the academy curved toward the woods, narrowing as the terrain dipped. He knew where it ended, a small pond lay nestled there, half-hidden by the dense tree line. He’d found it a few months ago during another sleepless night. It had become a sort of sanctuary since then, a place to quiet his mind. He expected the same stillness, the same quiet place to sit and breathe and let the dark work its way through him.
But to his surprise, there was movement.
He paused just past the final row of trees, his breathing stilled for reasons that had nothing to do with exhaustion. The surface of the pond shimmered faintly, a pale glow reflecting off thin ice and gliding across it was a woman.
Her hair was white, not the gray-white of age, but the pure kind, like frost or snowfall. It fell down her back in a loose curtain, whipping gently as she turned, spun, dipped. She moved like she belonged there. Graceful didn’t quite capture it, there was something other about her, something that made Enzo curious. She moved so effortlessly.
Enzo glanced down at the ice as he approached slowly, doing his best to not scare her. He hesitated for a moment, not wanting to get too close. He couldn’t. He was terrible at it, he’d tried crossing a frozen lake once while he was in Hyouden and not only fell on his a**, nearly breaking his tailbone, but he melted right through it. So, Enzo lowered himself to the slightly frozen grass at the pond’s edge, elbows resting on his knees. The cold bit through the damp fabric of his sweatpants, but he didn’t move.
He just… watched.
Her movements were hypnotic. Not rehearsed like a performance, more like instinct, like breathing. She spun without looking, arms outstretched, her hair catching the faint moonlight that filtered through the clouds. Her skates etched quiet circles, lines like runes, into the ice. Enzo let his head tilt back, eyes half-closed. The usual thoughts tried to worm their way in, the missed strike during sparring, the strange look one of the instructors had given him, and especially the past few months here at Utopia.
‘Who are you?’ His deep red eyes flicked back to her. Part of him wanted to speak, to say something. But what would he even say? On top of it all, he didn’t want to make her fall or anything accidentally. Although as he watched her, he had a feeling that it wouldn’t be an issue. He thought he saw her glance his way, just once. Then she turned again and was gone once more from that angle.
He stayed there for a bit, letting the cold sink into him, letting the silence stretch. The ice whispered beneath her blades, and for the first time in weeks, Enzo’s thoughts stopped running.
OOC: N/A Location: Pond Company: ??? Wearing: This with combat boots
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Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 7:37 pm
   
The confines of her dorm had been too stuffy. The proximity of her walls to her person was almost suffocating in their closeness. She had to get out. To get away. At home, she would have just skipped out and away with Anya to the lake. To free herself from the confines of her title and place in her kingdom. But here, within Utopia, she had no sanctuary. No reprieve from her loneliness and the longing to find her siblings. To be reunited with those she had thought herself lost to long ago. It was agony and was slowly driving her to madness.
On this night, it had simply become too much. She had demanded Anya and her guard leave her be so she could just walk the grounds. Maybe the cold night air would help. Of course, she knew neither would give her what she wanted completely. They would hover in the shadows, watch her from afar. Inessa supposed it was better than nothing, as she slipped out of her room and into the darkness of the evening. Beggars couldn’t be choosers, after all.
The instant she was out, a weight lifted from her chest. The urge to sprint across the chilly courtyard had her grinning like a child, her body doing exactly that. Under the moonlight, she danced and twirled her way towards the trees she knew would give her something more to explore. The long trench coat she had been tasked with wearing spun out around her, revealing the ivory fabric pants that clung to her legs. The blush top mirrored the coat a bit, moving as she did to flow and flutter against her curves. Of course, she didn’t care or notice any of this. She just moved as free as she wished, spinning on the toes of her beige boots as she headed for the treeline. What she hadn’t anticipated was to find what her heart yearned for most. For there, within the towering evergreens, she found a pond. It wasn’t much, but the ice that covered it would be more than enough for what she wanted.
Pure delight raced over her features as she peeled her coat from her body, exposing her bare arms to the chilly night air. It sent another thrill through her, loving the way it only added to the cold already clinging to her skin. Inessa dropped the jacket to the grass, using it to sit on for a moment as she tightened the laces on her boots. They weren’t her blades, but they would have to do for now. Once she was satisfied, her powers began to creep down her calf and over the boots themselves. Ice covered them instantly, pulling a grin from her lips as she hastily moved to stand once more. Yes, this was going to be exactly what she needed!
After a test of the surface, she pushed off and began to move through her paces. It was a bit difficult with the smaller size, but she adjusted as best she could. After about ten minutes, she had it down. Her eyes closed and her body let go, following the music in her head as she twirled and spun once more. Had she more room, she would have tried for a jump or two. It would have helped ease her heart a little more, but she tried not to focus on it. She simply stretched her arms out over her head, tipping it back as if she were looking up at the stars as she moved. The arch had her foot coming up as well, her hand catching her ankle as her weight balanced on one foot. Gods, was there anything better in the world than this? Ness doubted it, as she laughed openly into the night air and wrapped herself in the joy of the moment.
Location: Woods Company: No one that she knows of….yet. Outfit: Nessa’s outfitThoughts: ‘I’m finally free…’
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Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2025 2:06 pm
Enzo couldn’t look away. She moved like she was performing, not for anyone’s benefit, of course, just being herself. The moonlight tangled in her hair and spilled down her arms as she glided across the frozen pond, her ‘skates’ etching loops and spirals into the surface. The cold didn’t seem to touch her. If anything, it seemed to sharpen her glow. Enzo stayed sitting at the edge of the pond, his arms folded loosely across his knees, the fabric of his sweatpants damp where it pressed against the icy ground. He should’ve gone back to his dorm an hour ago, he knew that. But the second he saw her, he couldn’t move. She was so… free.
There was a kind of carelessness in her joy that made him absent-mindedly smile. Her arms lifted toward the sky like it had called her name, and she was just answering. She twirled again, the edges of her top catching on the wind. He shifted slightly then stood, brushing a bit of dirt from his pants. His legs were going numb, despite his high body heat, but he didn’t care. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been there. Watching her, wondering about her. She didn’t know he was watching… or maybe she did. Either way, it didn’t seem to matter to her. That made him hesitate. He didn’t want to come off as a creep. And yet, the idea of just leaving, of turning his back and letting her skate alone in the middle of the night, made his gut twist.
She was a woman, out in the dark, no one else around. Or… was there? He let his eyes follow her, tracing the lines she carved, the bend of her knees, the occasional glimpse of a smile when she spun too quickly. He should say something, at least ask her name, figure out if she was a student at Utopia. Something. He shifted again, boots crunching against brittle patches of frost. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw movement.
Barely there, a flicker in the trees. Too still to be animals. Too steady. Enzo narrowed his eyes, every muscle in his body going quiet and alert. He leaned forward, just enough to see past the branches. Two shapes standing near the tree line, just… watching her. His shoulders tensed. His calm began to unravel, that overprotective instinct roaring awake under his skin. His breath slowed, focused. They weren’t moving like people just out for a stroll. One adjusted their stance, the other lowered something.
His jaw tightened; they could be guards. If she was, in fact, a student, they’d be here to keep an eye on her. That was one explanation. Enzo weighed his options. He could call out to. get her attention. But the last thing he wanted was to startle her mid-spin. If she fell, especially out here with unknowns lurking nearby… it could go bad quickly. On the other hand, maybe he should just let it go. She wasn’t his responsibility. His twin would say he was being stupid, charging in without thinking. Again. But if something did happen, and he walked away from it?
No. That wasn’t an option. Not for him.
Enzo exhaled quietly and looked down at the sheet of ice between them. Maybe if he could just shuffle across, slow and low, he wouldn’t cause too much damage. His body didn’t run as hot as usual tonight. Maybe it would hold. He slid one boot onto the ice. Then the other.
Sizzle.
The sound was almost imperceptible, but it was there, soft, like the ice was whispering a warning. He ignored it. One centimeter at a time, he crept forward, trying to distribute his weight. Just a little farther, just enough to get within range. He lifted his arm and opened his mouth, “My lady, I—â€
Crack.
In the same breath that the word left his lips, the ice beneath him splintered. It gave way all at once, sharp and sudden, and then he was gone, sucked under by the freezing black water. Shock punched the breath out of his lungs. For a second, he couldn’t think, just sank in the dark, the weight of his soaked clothes dragging him down. But then his feet hit bottom, mud and silt and stone, thankfully it wasn’t deep, and he pushed back up toward the moonlight, breaking the surface in a gasp.
He surfaced, choking slightly on the water he accidentally inhaled, arms flinging onto the edge of the broken ice. His body shook, involuntary tremors rolled through him as he tried to breathe. Was he actually shivering? He stared at his hands, now braced against the jagged edge. His skin was flushed, the heat inside of him sluggish, warmth crawling through him far too slowly. Gods, this was humiliating.
Enzo cursed under his breath and hauled himself up onto the ice, water pouring off him in sheets. He collapsed to his knees, hands splayed wide, coughing up what felt like half the pond. He couldn’t even bring himself to look at her. Perfect. Absolutely perfect. This was not how you introduced yourself to a woman. Not even remotely. He stared at the ground, mortified, every inch of him drenched and freezing. His voice came out rough, broken between coughs, “I wanted…†He glared down at the ice like it had personally betrayed him. Then, slowly and very carefully, he pushed himself upright, water dripping from his sleeves so he could finally look at her.
“I wanted to warn you,†he chattered through his teeth and lifted one unsteady arm toward the shadows beyond the trees, “There are people watching. Do you know them?†The cold crept into his bones, slower now but present. His ability was moving far too slowly for his liking, not igniting as easily as it should. This had only happened once before, back in Hyouden. That time, he’d had a firepit to absorb. This time, all he had was moonlight, and the crushing realization that he was absolutely, unforgettably soaked, and very possibly an idiot.
OOC: N/A Location: Pond Company: ??? Wearing: This with combat boots
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Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 4:08 pm
The melody playing in her head allowed her to remain in her little world. Inessa knew Anya and Vlad were watching from the trees, so she was safe to be herself. At least, that’s what she had assumed. Nothing had ever happened in the past, so why would tonight be any different? In retrospect, she probably should have been more worried. New place and new people, after all. But she had needed an out, to live like the girl she really was. Oh, how she would come to regret that…
A shift in the ice, a presence she hadn’t realized was close until it was too late, had her movements slipping. The ice on her shoes slid too far, pushing her closer to someone she had never seen before. It was…a boy? No, a man. His voice drifted over the cool night air, just three words. Then came the crack. Panic filled her and had her gaze snapping down. Crap, he was breaking the ice! She knew she could handle the cold, but this newcomer? He did not look like he was from Hyouden, or any of the northern kingdoms. He would likely catch a severe cold! Inessa opened her mouth to tell him to stay still, but the words had barely formed before the lake shattered beneath them.
Instinct had her taking a deep breath, bracing for the water as she fell into it. She had lost count of how many times she’d ended up in the lake back home from a patch of ice that was too thin. More than okay with it, and the temperature, Ness moved through the water easily and resurfaced near the stranger. Her outfit was soaked, her hair stuck to her face, but other than that she seemed alright. Footsteps warned her of the arrival of her people, a lift of her hand holding them back. The gleam of Vlad’s blade told her they were prepared to punish the newcomer, something she really didn’t want to happen. Not until she knew who he was.
With easy movements, she pulled herself up onto the wet grass surrounding the pond. She ran her fingers over the ice on her calf and boots, calling her powers back so she could push herself up onto her feet. While the man tried to remove the water he’d inhaled, she simply watched him quietly. He was rather cute, in a sort of ‘drowned rat’ kinda way. The thought had her lips twitching a bit, the only show of emotion she offered as he began to speak.
Bright eyes widened a bit when he mentioned her being watched. Wait, what? How was that…Her gaze followed his hand, seeing it land on the pair that were slowly inching their way closer to her. Ah, that was the case. Shaking her head, Inessa flicked her wrist at the pair to send them off. They gave her a bow, shot the man a warning look, before slipping back into the shadows of the trees. Their presence was still there, as it always was, but it would remain just that unless she needed them. And with how he was shivering, the snowy haired woman doubted she would be having to deal with any trouble from the man any time soon.
”They are my handmaid and personal guard. One cannot be too careful in new places, can they?” Ness did her best to keep her accent from getting in the way of her words, knowing the damn thing had a tendency to screw with what she was trying to say. Leaving it at that, she moved to where she’d left her coat and lifted it from the ground. She gave it a quick shake to remove any grass that might be on it before turning to offer it to him. It wasn’t much, but it would probably help him with the shaking.
”It might not be your size, but it will help with the cold. Do you need help getting back to the academy? The water will not bother me, so I can offer you assistance.” As she spoke, her eyes ran over his drenched form to try and guess at his true height. He didn’t seem too heavy, considering she’d been taught to handle men twice his size. It had been a long time since she’d had to cart someone off, though, so it could be an issue. If it was, she’d just have Vlad do it. The barrel chested soldier was sure to handle the lean young man without an issue. She kept the thought to herself, for now, and simply watched him silently for his response.
Location: Woods Company: Freezing guy and her crew. Outfit: Nessa’s outfitThoughts: ‘I wonder why he thought to warn me….We aren’t allies, are we?’
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Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 11:01 am
Enzo pushed his soaked hair out of his face with one hand, water dripping steadily down his temples, trailing along the line of his jaw and disappearing into the fabric of his shirt. His breath fogged in the cold air as he tried to collect what little dignity he had left. The weight of it all hit him at once, the freezing lakewater soaking through every layer of his clothing and even worse, the look on her face just before she’d gone under too all because of him. He sighed deeply, shoulders loose, somehow, he had embarrassed himself far more than he initially thought possible. It wasn’t just that he’d fallen through the ice, no, that would’ve been bad enough. But of course she fell through. She had been gracefully dancing over the ice only moments before, moving across the lake like it was hers to command. There had been something effortless about it. Then he came along, heavy-footed and out of place, and shattered it all… literally.
His cheeks flushed with heat despite the cold as the memory burned through him. She hadn’t been angry, though, not even annoyed. She hadn’t scolded him or looked at him like he was a fool, though he knew he deserved it. Instead, she simply dismissed her handmaid and guard and explained who they were, like nothing had happened. Enzo rubbed the back of his neck, lips twitching into a sheepish smile avoiding her gaze as much as possible, “I see…” He laughed in a dry, self-deprecating kind of way, “Apologies, my lady.” Enzo shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other, grimacing as the water squelched in his boots. Everything was soaked through, shirt, sweatpants, socks, all clinging to him like glue. When she moved toward him and, without hesitation, offered her coat, he blinked in surprise.
For a second, he just stared at it. The gesture was unexpected and more disarming than he wanted to admit. It wasn’t pity, at least it didn’t seem that way- he hoped. There was no condescension in the motion, just kindness. His eyes widened slightly and he lifted his hands instinctively, palms raised in polite refusal, “I appreciate the offer, but—” His eyes flicked over the coat, it was far too small, delicate compared to his broad frame. He’d tear the sleeves trying to get it on, “It’s more suitable for you,” He finished softly, offering a faint grin, “Wouldn’t want to cause more damage today.”
He turned away slightly and grabbed a handful of his drenched top, twisting it tightly. Water streamed out, spattering onto the ground below. He let out a short, breathy chuckle, then glanced at her again, “I’ll be okay, thank you though.” He tried to sound casual, but his voice was already trembling. The chill had settled deep into his muscles. His arms shook, and no amount of willpower seemed to stop it. Which was so <********> embarrassing. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been sick, his people didn’t catch colds easily, their inner heat fended off most illnesses. But that didn’t matter, because his people also didn’t usually go falling into freezing lakes. And she…. He paused, wasn’t even shivering. That realization crept in slowly, too slow for his liking. Enzo’s eyes narrowed as he studied her more closely. Her clothes were wet, her hair clung to her cheeks, but there was no sign of discomfort. No redness in her fingers, no tension in her stance. She looked, composed, almost untouched by the cold.
He followed the line of her legs to her boots- wait. Hadn’t she been wearing skates? There hadn’t been enough time to change them, not after the fall. He definitely would’ve noticed. His brows drew together, ice didn’t affect her. Then his gut twisted with the reality of the situation.
Hyouden.
The word formed in his mind like a curse. Every experience he had with Hyouden was soaked in blood and shadows. That power had only ever brought pain to his people. The whole reason he was out on a run in the first place was to clear his mind of the terrors he had seen. His fists clenched reflexively at the memories. There were also the monsters who tormented Nerys. He looked at her again, this time more carefully, she didn’t look like her. Not quite, outside of her eyes. Plus, Nerys had ever only mentioned a brother.
But then… then there was Ivan. His jaw tensed at the thought, that man had left scars, physical and otherwise. But this woman, no, he couldn’t imagine that they’d be related. Despite her stoicism, there was a kindness in her, and it seemed genuine. Still, he realized too late that his stare had lingered. So, he blinked and straightened up quickly, wiping whatever expression had been on his face. He forced a small, almost apologetic smile, “I want to apologize again,” His voice was firmer this time, though his arms were crossed tightly over his chest. Not just to look composed, but to stop the trembling that continued no matter how hard he fought it, “For interrupting your evening.”
The weight of the wet clothes was becoming unbearable. His shirt clung to him and his sweatpants were heavy, every step sending a jolt of discomfort up his spine. The cold was burrowing beneath his skin, pooling in his bones. He needed heat and dry clothes. But more importantly, he needed to not look weak. Especially not in front of a lady. He wrung out his shirt again with stiff fingers, jaw clenched, doing his best to ignore how numb his hands were getting, “I know you have your people,” He said finally, “But I’d be happy to walk you back.” It was instinct more than anything, his mother’s voice echoed in his mind, ‘You’re a gentleman first, always’. After hesitating a moment he then added, “I’m Enzo, by the way. I don’t believe we’ve met.” Which was strange. He recognized almost everyone at the Academy by this point. “Are you new, or am I just an idiot?” He asked with a small laugh, tilting his head slightly as curiosity filled his gaze.
OOC: N/A Location: Pond Company: ??? Wearing: This with combat boots
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Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2025 10:53 pm
Watching him struggle with his embarrassment had her lips twitching a bit in response. Okay, he was definitely cute. Drowned rat or not. He seemed really torn up about taking her down with him into the lake, which was a rather redeeming quality in one of his gender. Most would have blamed her. Or, rather, accused her of being the reason the ice had broken in the first place. The list of faults was endless, certainly, but he said none of them. Instead, he sat there quietly in his…was that shame? Guilt? Whatever it was, he did it without throwing it into her face. Inessa found it to be rather fascinating, and had her curiosity towards him pushing her to stay rather than leave him as she would have most.
The apology he finally gave her had her eyes widening in surprise. Well now, that was yet another new experience. No one apologized to her. They either apologized to Vlad before he stabbed them, or ran off screaming when they realized who she was. Who her father was. It was a little unnerving, but not in a way she minded. Just…different. Ness wondered if there was more about him that differed from her past experiences, other than the obvious.
”No apology, please. It was accident. No harm done.” She waved away the words, rendering them unnecessary in her mind. He had thought himself to be protecting her, a chivalrous act that she wasn’t going to demand him to be sorry for. Had she, truly, been in danger it might have been another story. But, Inessa did her best not to dwell on that. Instead, she arched a snowy brow at his refusal of her offer and shifted her icy gaze to the coat. Yes, it was far smaller than his shoulders would allow. It was, however, not meant for him to wear in the same way she had.
”You do not wear it like jacket. You wear it like towel. You will catch your death in all that wet clothes.” She waved the jacket at him, the sound of his drenched shirt pouring more water on the ground simply proving her point. If he removed the clothing, he could wrap himself up in the jacket. The fleece lining would keep him insulated and stop him from losing any more of the body heat he’d been robbed of in the icy water. The sight of his trembling body only emphasized what she was thinking, causing her to shake her head and sigh softly at the stubbornness of men.
”Why must men argue so? Just take off shirt and put on jacket. I will not be reason you are sick later.” She stepped closer to offer the jacket once more, contemplating if she could be fast enough just to wrap the damn thing around him and be done with it. The sudden shift in the way he watched her, however, stalled out her thoughts and had her blinking at him in surprise. Had she said something wrong? Without Anya at her side, she wasn’t sure if she’d made a social faux pas. Her mind rewound the words she had spoken, catching nothing amiss in them. If that was the case, why was he staring at her as if she had grown antlers and a big, red nose?
A few more quiet, strained, and very awkward seconds passed between them before he finally seemed to snap out of whatever had pulled him under. His smile returned, as did the apology he seemed hell bent on giving her. Another shake of her head was her response, not needing any of it. It wasn’t as if she couldn’t come back another time. The water wasn’t going anywhere, and neither was she for the time being. Well, she wasn’t going anywhere other than back to the academy with him in tow. He needed to get warm, sooner rather than later.
”If you want to give the apology, take off shirt. Put on jacket. Get warm.” It was an easy enough offer. And would save her from worrying about him catching his death out in the middle of the woods and having to explain to the nurse why she didn’t just get him to come back inside. Not that she could really do that alone. Perhaps Vlad could just knock him out. He was shaking rather aggressively now, so it wouldn’t be too hard. But was that the right way to do this? And in her first few weeks of being in the Academy?
Inessa began to weigh her options again when he offered up to chauffeur her back to the school. Alright then, they were getting somewhere! If he wouldn’t use her jacket, at least she could help him get to somewhere safer for him. A nod was her response, her eyes shifting to look at the pair in the woods. She pointed in the direction of the school, earning a nod from the couple before they began to make their way back. They wouldn’t go far, but it would give her a little more privacy with the soaked and stubborn man.
”That is acceptable. You should get dry, and with ice gone I have no place to skate. No more reason to stay outside.” Her body shifted towards where she knew the school to be, ready to follow along with him. The weight of his clothes was sure to slow him down, so she’d go at his pace. She wondered how many layers there were to the outfit he’d ruined before his voice filled her head once more. A slight smile tugged at her lips, the only real expression she’d shown so far. Ness ran her fingers through her nearly dry hair and chuckled softly along with him.
”It is pleasure to meet you, Enzo. And you are no idiot. Fool, perhaps, but what else is man who walks out onto ice with no skates?” Another twitch had a half smile forming on her features, the expression softening up the icy mask she usually wore around those she didn’t know. ”I came not long ago. Had art class with…interesting people. You?” She’d offered up her timeline, it was only right he do the same. Right?
Location: Woods Company: Enzo and her crew. Outfit: Nessa’s outfitThoughts: ‘Why must men be such fools?’
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2025 10:18 am
Enzo watched the water drip from his shirt as he wrung it out with a tight grip, the cold droplets splattering against the uneven ground beneath his boots. The air around him bit at him as a wind swept past the tree line, scattering brittle leaves throughout. The soaked fabric clung to him uncomfortably, refusing to let go of the chill. His hair, still slick with lake water, and it dripped each time he pushed his hand through it to keep it out of his face. The miserable sensation would’ve been funny, if he wasn’t so cold.
His eyes were locked on the ground, jaw set, until the sound of her voice pulled him from his haze. He glanced up just in time to see her waving her jacket, held out in front of him. The look on her face said plenty, he was losing this argument. She wasn’t asking, she was insisting. Enzo arched his brow slightly, then he started to open his mouth to argue. He had a retort ready to go, like how he’d been through worse, how a little freezing water wasn’t going to kill him. But the words never made it out. One look at her face, the subtle furrow in her brow, and he swallowed them back.
She was serious, and extremely stubborn. But, he could see genuine concern, maybe it was only for her, but who knows- maybe it could be for him too. He sighed, his features softening as the fight went out of his posture. With a low chuckle, more breath than anything, Enzo reached down and peeled his soaked shirt off over his head. The cold hit slapped him brutally. Goosebumps raced across his skin, and his muscles tightened instinctively. A shiver ran down his spine as the wind swept in again, and he couldn't stop the sharp inhale that followed. The involuntary twitch in his jaw gave him away, “Alright, alright,” A crooked smile formed on his lips, he was taken back at the sound of his own voice. Raspy from the cold air, and possibly from inhaling too much pond water. “Your conscience is clear. I won’t catch death because of you.” He wrapped the fabric tighter around himself, already feeling a faint warmth returning to his skin with fire flowing through his veins.
They started walking, and the shift in movement made the wet fabric of his pants feel even worse. Every step was a reminder of just how waterlogged he was. His bare chest, though partially shielded by the jacket, still prickled from exposure, and the occasional gust made him instinctively hunch in on himself. He sniffled once, rubbed the tip of his nose with the back of his wrist, and tried to play it off, “How embarrassing,” He laughed, though it was drier this time, he really did feel like an idiot. “With how cold its been lately, I’m sure the pond will freeze up again soon.” He shot her a quick glance, “Or at least I hope it does. Otherwise I’m even more of an a** than I thought.”
A sudden sneeze snapped out of him, “s**t.” He subtly rubbed his nose again with the bend of his arm, and a slight grimace. He was certain the second he got fully warm and dry, whatever cold was trying to enter his bloodstream would disappear. His body ran too hot to harbor most viruses. He just had to get warm. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her run her fingers through her hair, shaking out what little dampness lingered. Strands stuck to her skin in places, but she didn’t seem to mind. She was smiling and then she laughed, it was soft, but it certainly wasn’t forced.
Enzo laughed too, when she called him a fool, he took it in stride, “I’ll take fool,” He kept his eyes on her a moment too long. That uncrackable façade of hers, the stoicism she wore earlier, was showing signs of softening. There was something about the quiet between them that felt easy. Strangers or not, he had a feeling that his gut was right about her. She was kind.
He let the silence stretch for a moment before exhaling and turning his gaze ahead. The outline of the Academy was finally coming into view beyond the trees, its familiar towers catching the light casted from lamps that lit the courtyard and pathways, “I’ve been here pretty much since the start of the year,” He answered finally, “Feels like a lifetime already, though.” Enzo shifted the shirt in his hands, wringing it again out of habit, though it made little difference. His other arm clutched the jacket tighter around himself. Hopefully no one would be lingering outside the dorms to see him like this, half-dressed, soaked, and sniffling.
“Interesting people, huh?” He glanced toward her again, letting his mind drift to Uriel, Elara, and the old groundskeeper who brought his dogs around just to run and explore. A small smile pulled at the corner of his lip. He hadn’t spent time with dogs in a while, and that first day with his group, it was actually nice. He could breathe then. “Do you remember who was in your group?” A genuine curiosity thread through his voice, though there was a flicker of concern behind the question. Maybe she hadn’t gotten lucky, maybe she’d already seen the uglier side of the Academy like he had. Either way he was curious. His time there had been…something. He wouldn’t be surprised if her group for the project wasn’t as calm as his.
OOC: N/A Location: Pond - The AcademyCompany: ??? Wearing: This with combat boots
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2025 10:33 pm
Okay, yes, Inessa knew she had been demanding he take off his shirt. It had been from a completely innocent bystander kind of thing. She was worried for his well being. And for her own, knowing she would have to be responsible for him if he blacked out or froze over. But when he actually went through with the act and removed his shirt? Yeah, she looked. Nearly gawked, in fact. Could she be blamed, though? Seeing a half naked man, albeit a shivering one, up close was not on her list of previous experiences. And…he really looked good without the shirt.
Thankfully, for her anyway, he covered himself quickly and the spell his torso had cast over her was broken. She looked off towards the school as he spoke, shaking her head at him. She had to fight to keep the smile his words caused off of her lips, huffing out a breath and rolling her eyes at his teasing. Ness had been wondering how long it would be before he chose to point out her accent. It wasn’t a surprise, nor did it bother her. Much.
”That gives me relief. I cannot have such guilt hanging over my head my first month at school.” Her voice didn’t change in the slightest, but the look she shot him was enough to let him know she was teasing. Seeing him sniffling and rubbing at his nose, however, had her concern for him rising. She was used to the cold, so it didn’t usually bother her. He had to be from a drier climate. Phronese, perhaps? No, they were supposed to be smart. Could he be…The thought refused to form, knowing there couldn’t be any way it was true. People from that kingdom were cruel and hot headed. They never took offers of help and always struck first. No, he definitely couldn’t be from there.
”You do not need to be the embarrassed. It is normal part of the human body. Or, rather, your human body.” Her lips twitched a bit once more, rather enjoying the ease at which she felt about teasing him. She’d never had the chance to speak so freely before in the past. Especially not with a complete stranger. It made her feel as if she were nothing more than an average girl. Who had been dunked by some random guy. And, yes, she knew how silly it sounded in her head but Inessa tried not to think about that.
”And I am certain you are the correct. I will wait week or two. See if it helps.” If it didn’t, well, she’d fix it herself. But she kept that little bit of information within her mind, knowing it was a sure give away as to where she was from. Of course, the chance that it was already obvious was true as well. Ness brushed the thought aside for fear of it showing on her features, quickly covering her mouth with her gloved hand at the sound of his sneeze. So manly.
”You are comfortable with such language in front of ladies, I see. Is it common to speak like that where you are from?” The words weren’t meant to chastise him, she was truly curious. The only one she’d ever heard use such language in front of women of her standing had been her uncle, but he was a bird of a different feather. Sergei was a man all his own, much to the misfortune of her siblings. Ness did her best not to dwell on it, looking his way completely when he began to speak of his time at the school.
The tone in which he used had worry creeping up to curl painfully in her stomach. He looked…haunted by the time he’d spent at the school. There was no other word for it. She’d seen similar looks on the faces of soldiers back home. Was this place a warzone as well? Would she be able to weather it? She honestly didn’t like the answer her mind gave her, so Inessa forced it aside with all the others and nodded at his question. Interesting was the polite way to describe them, and she was nothing if not polite. At first, anyway.
”I do not believe I will be forgetting them soon. It was, how you say, opyt(an experience).” The word that came out was in her native tongue, which she hadn’t actually meant to happen. Heat colored her features for a split second, revealing the layer of ice she kept on her skin at all times. It would shimmer for a moment in the moonlight, giving her away before she got herself back under control. ”Apologies, Enzo. The word has left my mind. I cannot remember what it is, but the names I do.” Three faces, all students, had been burned in her mind. All for very different reasons. It had definitely been an opyt.
”Oliver was first. He had lots of men. Big men that did not treat Lady Nalani right.” She shook her head at the memory, wishing she’d done more. Maybe if she had taken care of Oliver herself, it would have turned out differently. She had simply been too interested in how he’d known her brother, a fatal flaw that had nearly cost her the life of her only real friend. The memory of it nearly shook her from the moment and brought her back to how Anya had been. She forced it back and took a deep breath, looking away as the lights of the school crowded out the stars above them.
”Lady Nalani is beastly. She is large whale creature that broke through the floor. She nearly killed Anya.” A dark expression raced through her icy gaze, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. Nope. She couldn’t go there. Another deep breath steadied her and her features softened, thinking of the final member of their little group.
”Sir Ichirou helped Anya. Brought her back to me. He knew Oliver, though how I know not. I did not stay to ask.” She had taken Anya once she’d started to breathe again, leaving the madness of it all behind. How any of that had to do with art, she still had no idea. Nor did she think she’d ever want to. They had gotten through it, and that was enough for her.
”Do you know names of your partners? Or remember? If not, is okay. You are dripping and have sniffles, so it is understandable.” It was her way of telling him he didn’t have to share, if he didn’t want to. She was still a stranger, after all.
Location: Woods - School courtyard Company: Enzo and her crew. Outfit: Nessa’s outfitThoughts: ‘Is he really worried for me? I wonder why…’
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Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 11:08 am
Enzo grinned, to his surprise, she was pretty solid at teasing him, not in a mean-spirited way at all. No, it was subtle, but always kind. Every time she did it, he couldn’t help but sneak a glance at her from the corner of his eye. Just to see that tiny smile she kept trying to hold back. For some reason, he wanted to keep making that happen. Crack that cool, composed exterior of hers. He’d always loved a challenge, and right now, she was the most intriguing one in front of him.
Then, out of nowhere, he sneezed, and instinctively muttered a quiet curse under his breath, grimacing immediately after. s**t. That was dumb, he should’ve been more careful with how he spoke, especially around her. She carried herself like someone who expected a little more refinement. She was a lady, after all. Of course she pointed it out, and of course she did it with that same polite tone. He glanced down at her, trying to think of a way to play it off without giving too much information away. Truthfully, no, it wasn’t common for his people to slip like that. He was just being an idiot.
His hand went up to the back of his neck, fingers tugging at the short hairs there as he winced slightly, “I apologize,” He laughed sheepishly, “I should watch how I speak. Because to answer your question… no. It isn’t common.” He looked away, and let his hand drop as he pulled his jacket tighter around his shoulders, “In fact, my mother would kill me if she found out I used that kind of language around a lady.”
When their conversation shifted toward her peers, he caught the slight hesitation in her voice. He realized his tone hadn’t exactly been the most encouraging. So, when she finally responded, he made a point to clear his throat and soften his expression, flushing out whatever might have lingered in his voice. But then… she said something strange. A word he didn’t recognize. He blinked, the language sounded familiar. His gaze flicked down to her just in time to catch a fleeting shimmer across her skin. For a split second, it looked like glass. No, it was ice.
Enzo’s chest tightened, he’d seen that before on Nerys, she had something similar, though hers had formed a full-blown shell. This girl’s was lighter, more fleeting, but definitely unmistakable. He looked away quickly, letting his face fall blank as his thoughts churned. That word, that shimmer, that ice. There was only one place those type of abilities came from, and he wasn’t sure he liked the answer. When she apologized, he nodded absently, composing himself, “It’s okay,” A small, forced smile tugged at one corner of his mouth, “Names are far more important anyway.” Then, it suddenly hit him, she hadn’t given hers. Not after he introduced himself, and definitely not before. Was that on purpose? Did she know who he was? Was she playing him? His fingers twitched at his side, but he forced himself to breathe and shake the thought away. No, she didn’t seem like the manipulative type. She was guarded, sure, but not cruel. Still, it nagged at him.
Instead of bringing it up, he let her keep talking, listing off the names of the others in her assigned group. He recognized most of them by name, classmates, but not ones he was particularly close to. Then he did a double take, ‘Did she just say whale?’ His head turned toward her again, a curious brow lifted, “Wait… a whale?” He held his breath for a moment, that was one of the strangest things he had heard lately, “A whale that is actually a student... and almost killed someone?” He looked forward again, exhaling in disbelief, ’Glad I wasn’t in that group.’ His jaw tensed slightly, what a nightmare, that was her first real experience at the academy, and it was a hell of a way to start. Although, weird things did almost always happen at the academy. It was bound to happen sooner or later.
“Are you okay after all of that?” His tone came out gently, maybe it wasn’t his place, but he was genuinely curious, and concerned. If she didn’t want to answer, he’d back off. But something in her expression earlier made him think, maybe she wouldn’t mind if someone asked. As they reached the steps of the school, Enzo moved ahead and opened the door for her. A wave of warm air swept past him, and he breathed in deeply, grateful. He really needed that. He followed her inside, sneezing again into his arm. “Sorry,” He muttered under his breath, recovering quickly, “I was lucky I guess. I got paired with some people I’m close to. Uriel, he’s basically my brother,” He smiled faintly before continuing, “Then theres Elara, and this other guy, Matthew. He wasn’t even part of our group, he just showed up to let his dogs run around.” Enzo chuckled softly, “One of them nearly tackled Elara, pushed her right onto the ground then gave her its full attention. It was quite the sight.” Enzo sighed quietly at the memory, it was a nice break from the chaos.
As they made their way down the hallway toward the girls dorms, Enzo started to notice that the warmth from the building wasn’t helping him much. He glanced down at himself with a faint frown, his sweatpants were still damp, still clinging cold and uncomfortably to his skin. He exhaled, voice a little rougher as he said, “Anyway, I’m really sorry your first experience wasn’t a good one.” He shrugged the jacket off his shoulders and hugged it tighter against his chest, trying to warm up as best he could, “But I should warn you, strange things happen here a lot.” A lopsided smile pulled on his lips as he added, “For example, during history class not too long ago, our professor did some kind of… spell, I guess? Threw us straight into a simulation, or maybe it was real, I honestly still don’t know, but it dropped us right into a warzone in Musique.” His arms tightened around the small jacket, “Some of the others didn’t handle it well. It was… intense.” Enzo glanced at her again, searching her face, then muttered, half-joking, “Anyway, just don’t be surprised if you see zombies walking around.” A low laugh escaped him then he redirected his attention back to the corridor. They were headed in the right direction right?
OOC: N/A Location: The AcademyCompany: ??? Wearing: This with combat boots
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Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2025 4:55 pm
I do not need your apology, Enzo. I was simply the curious.” Inessa shrugged off his words and left it at that, not at all bothered by the language he chose to use. His mention of his mother, though, had her features softening a bit in response. Ah, yes, that made sense. He did have the mark of a gentleman in the way he held himself, albeit a slipping one. Ness didn’t fault him on it, though. This was a rather unique situation, so she was willing to let it slide. His secret was safe with her.
”That is good to know. Your mother sounds like smart woman.” Her lips twitched a bit once more, rather enjoying teasing him as she was. Was this how one was supposed to react when meeting new people? Or possible friends? Wait! Could she be friends with a man? Her mother would probably say no, since men only wanted one thing. And since she was in no rush to give that particular of herself up, maybe the whole thing was a moot point. The thought deflated her mood a bit, dragging her eyes back to the academy building as they neared it. Perhaps she’d ask Anya about it, see what she thought.
At his questions, she nodded her head and forced herself not to relive the moment. It already haunted her nightmares most nights. Giving it life in the moonlight was just one more way to allow it to traumatize her. She refused to be a victim, refused to be weak. So, Inessa locked it away behind a wall and showed nothing. The mask she’d been born to wear remained her greatest defense and she wielded it well.
”Perhaps it had been some creature from the deep I know not the name of. Whale is all I can think to call it. Large, tentacled, and meant for some place other than in Utopia’s walls.” Perhaps Nalani was some crossbreed? Whales usually didn’t have tentacles, right? Maybe she was some kind of orca/octipi hybrid? Whatever the case was, it had been…a lot. All the books she’d read on sea beasts had not prepared her for the sight she’d witnessed in that hallway. Her body shuddered at the echo of the memory, forcing her to wrap her arms around herself as if to ward away the feeling.
”Two people, actually. She was after Olliver. I know not what happened to them. After Anya was revived, I left. Nalani slithered off with him somewhere else.” What had happened to the man was still a mystery to her. She knew he was alive, but that was the end of it. She’d made no move to ask about the details, simply going through the motions for the rest of the week then leaving it at that. Her desire to even see the man again was gone, not caring what information he had about her brother at this point.
The sound of his concern brought her out of her thoughts again and had her nodding her head. She’d gone through worse. Had lost more. After it all, Anya was still by her side and she no longer had to deal with the pair of psychos that had caused the damage they had. Sure, she had a nightmare every now and then. She couldn’t bring herself to walk down that hall since the incident. Other than that, she was fine. Inessa was a princess of Hyouden. She was strong, smart, and resilient. Repeating the words in her head helped her believe them, and kept her calm as they finally arrived at the steps to the school.
As they slipped inside, she bowed her head in thanks to his opening of the door. Yep, she’d been right in her assumption. Foolish hero with the heart of a gentleman. She watched him as they both entered the building, catching the way he reacted to the change in temperature. Was it because he was still frozen to the bone? Or was there more to it? Ness was torn between asking about it and leaving it alone, not sure whether it was appropriate to do more than take him at the same face value she was giving him. Would it be rude? His sneeze scattered her thoughts and had her lifting a hand to cover her lips. She did her best to keep the giggle back but was unable to stop the shadow of a smile playing over her lips again. Why was he so quick to apologize for something he couldn’t control?
”No more sorries, Enzo.” She shook her head at him, the words so soft they were nearly a whisper. He really had no reason to continue using the word, since she’d already proven that there wasn’t much he could say that would upset her. Hell, he’d dunked her into the lake without warning and he was still standing. Shouldn’t that be enough for him to know he was alright just to be himself? She wondered over what more she could say to make him believe it, but his words silenced the thoughts and had her studying him closely when he began to smile. His chuckle caused a flutter in her stomach, her mind wondering what a true laugh from him would sound like.
”I am glad you had the nice time. I hope I can share the feeling in the class that is next.” Part of her prayed that they were allowed to work by themselves, or at the very least pick their own group. She wanted nothing more than to spend every moment she had at the academy with her brother and sister. Just thinking about it had a soft expression once more passing over her features. Her mask slipped and the innocent girl beneath was visible for a few moments. Then his voice filled her head again and she shoved it back into place, her icy gaze looking around the hall as he apologized for the umpteenth time. Ness said nothing to this one, simply listened and arched a brow slightly at his mention of what he’d gone through in the past.
”What is ‘zombie’? Is it creature like Nalani?” The name sounded familiar, but she hadn’t the slightest idea as to what it actually was. As she returned her attention to him, she caught the way he looked around the hallway. Was he…lost? Amused, she shook her head and chuckled softly under her breath. How was it that he had been there since the start of term and she knew the place better than he did? Lifting a hand, she pointed down the hall and shot him a teasing look from the corner of her eyes.
”Men’s dorms are straight ahead. I know not which is yours, but I am certain you do. Unless you would rather remain in dripping clothing? I must say it does suit you.” Unable to resist, she swept her eyes over his body in interest before returning them easily to his own. Her lips twitched, her mask slipped, and amusement lit up her icy gaze once more. He made it far too easy to be someone she wasn’t, a tactic that was sure to get her in trouble if she dared to spend more than this one encounter with him in the future.
Location: School courtyard - Hallway Company: Enzo Outfit: Nessa’s outfitThoughts: ‘Silly man…’
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2025 9:20 am
His eyes narrowed at her words, a faint crease settling between his brows, “Large… and tentacled?” That definitely didn’t sound like a whale, at least not any kind of whale he’d ever heard of. It sounded like something out of an old fisherman’s nightmare, a monster with too many arms, dragging ships down into the depths. But who was he to argue? He hadn’t been there, hadn’t seen it with his own eyes. Stranger things had already happened, after all. Correcting her now would be pointless, and he sure as hell wasn’t about to come off as some know-it-all trying to lecture her.
He shook his head slightly, letting it drop, some mysteries should stay mysteries, “Okay, no more sorries.” Enzo’s smile warmed as he looked down at her, the way his name sounded on her tongue stuck with him. He then hugged her jacket tighter against his chest. The fabric was slightly damp and heavy now, but still, it was better than nothing. He could feel the faintest bit of warmth bleeding back into him, though the chill in his soaked sweatpants clung stubbornly. He shivered once, jaw tightening against it.
Enzo kept talking, telling her about the stranger things that had gone on at the academy, though a part of his attention never left her face. He searched her expression for signs of concern, signs she might take him seriously, or signs she might already be writing him off as ridiculous. He didn’t want to frighten her, but if their roles were reversed, he’d want someone to tell him the truth. Better to have the knowledge tucked away, even if you thought it nonsense, than to be caught off guard later.
When she chuckled, he nearly tripped, the sound slipped out of her lightly, almost unintentionally, and he found himself wanting to memorize it. Cute wasn’t the word he would’ve said out loud, but it’s what came to mind. It was rare, he could tell. Something worth remembering. Of course, her look afterward was enough to tell him she thought he was a little dense, maybe the village idiot. He took it in stride, letting a sheepish smile tug at his lips.
“No, it’s…” He hesitated, glancing down the hall as though the shadows themselves might still be hiding remnants of what he’d seen before, “It’s an undead creature. They filled these halls not too long ago.” His tone carried a weight he hadn’t meant to reveal, but he smoothed it quickly, forcing a grin back into place when she mentioned which way the mens dorms were, “It’s only because my brain is frozen,” He laughed stopping mid-step to turn toward her, “I’m usually much better at this.” He cast a glance down the hall, then back to her, completely unaware of her gaze drifting elsewhere. “I was planning to walk you back to your room,” Eventually he admitted, his voice steady even as he shifted on his feet, “But if you insist on me changing, I’ll do that. Just for you.”
His smile widened, more playful now, though the intent behind it wasn’t so simple. He met her icy-blue gaze and thought, just for a second, that he saw something brighten in them. Enjoyment, maybe or amusement. Whatever it was, it pulled at him, kept him tethered to her when everything else told him to call it a night. Still, reality bit through the moment. His sweatpants were soaked clean through, and the wet fabric still clung to him uncomfortably. The chill was relentless. If he didn’t change soon, he’d pay for it later with more than just shivers. A cold was the last thing he needed.
Enzo tugged the jacket away from his chest, holding it out to her with both hands, “I appreciate you letting me soak through your jacket. It did, surprisingly, help.” His voice was quiet, yet earnest. But instead of leaving it there, he added, almost casually, “You’re welcome to walk with me, if you’d like. That way if you need me in the future, you’ll know where to find me.” The suggestion lingered in the air, weighted with more meaning than he cared to admit. He didn’t want her to think it strange, it was purely an innocent ask. “Although…” Ember eyes slowly and subtly trailed down her body before he could catch himself, “…You probably need dry clothes too.”
The words came out lower, he didn’t mean to look, hadn’t meant to notice the way her shirt stuck to her, but it was impossible not to. It was clear that she had to be from Hyouden, no one else could stand the cold like this, with skin unbothered by the water that made his own feel like ice. But his realization did nothing to stop the heat creeping up the back of his neck. He forced himself to look away, clearing his throat as his gaze locked back on the dorms ahead. A though lingered in his head, if she did come back to his dorm he could always give her some of his dry clothes. They'd be huge on her but at least she wouldn't be wet.
“What was your name again?” He grinned, then returned his attention back to her it hit him that she never actually told him her name. And if they were going to part ways… if, well he’d like to know it. A part of him hoped she might follow him, even just for a while longer. Hoped she might want to spend more time with him. Mainly because he was enjoying himself but also, deep down, he wanted information on her.
OOC: N/A Location: The AcademyCompany: ??? Wearing: This with combat boots
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Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2025 7:56 pm
The way he explained to her what the creatures known as ‘zombies’ had her curiosity stirring a bit more. There were people in the world that could bring back the dead? What had they looked like? Had it been anyone he had known? Her mind raced with questions, some she desperately wanted to ask. If she could get the answers, could she find this person and have them do the same to her brother’s? To the soldiers they had lost in the war? It was a fascinating concept, but the way he spoke of it all had Ness hesitating. He didn’t look…safe speaking of it out in the open. She would have to look elsewhere for her answers, or so it seemed anyway
When his movements stilled, so did hers. She turned to face him, head tipping to the side a bit as she wondered just what exactly he was supposed to be better at. Was it walking? Or talking? He seemed to be doing alright at both, considering the state of his pants at the moment. Her eyes moved to look over the clinging fabric, wondering if the rest of him beneath the fabric was as frozen. It would make sense, but she knew better than to make assumptions. Especially about members of the opposite sex.
”If your brain were frozen, you would not be doing the speaking. You would be dead. I would say you are more frazzled than frozen. Is it not the usual for you to have no sure footing when talking to a woman?” The corners of her lips twitched a bit at her teasing as her bright eyes lifted to return to his once more. His mention of her room had her lifting a hand, her fingertips pressing to her lips as amusement raced across her features for a moment. He had been trying to be chivalrous? It seemed customs were vastly different in his land in comparison to her own. It was cute, and had her brain racing over the prospect of where he really was from.
”Unless I am the mistaken, my dorm would be down the way opposite of this one. Have you not spent many nights in the dorms of ladies, Enzo? Or is it you prefer your own space when being with women?” It was a merely curious question, but Inessa found her rather interested in the answer. He definitely looked the type to have captured the hearts of the women in Utopia. Quick smile, nice body, and a knight’s heart. A definitely deadly trio. Had she been one of her ladies in waiting from back home, she might have fluttered and fawned over him. Unfortunately, Ness had no experience nor the interest to be a fussing female over one such as Enzo. Or any man, for that matter.
At the offer of her jacket, she shook her head. She didn’t need it back. If anything, he could return it back to her when it was dry so she wasn’t forced to take it with her while it dripped all over the floor as he had. She opened her mouth to tell him exactly that, only to find herself caught off guard at his offer. It had her snapping her lips closed, as did the way his eyes ran over her body. Was he….checking her out? Was this flirting? Unsure, and finding herself to be more than a bit interested, Inessa shook her head for a second time and moved around him to step back. She linked her fingers together at her back, her not so subtle way of refusing to take what he was offering her.
”As you already know, I was not the one that needed help in that pond. Besides, the cold never bothered me anyway.” The ghost of a smile returned to her lips as she watched him, inching another half step back as she spoke. She would never forget the way his face had looked when they had both gone under the water. It would be her favorite memory of her first time on the ice of Utopia, and one she had a feeling she’d hold onto for a while. At least, long enough for her to see his face again. Outside of class, of course.
When he asked for her name a second time, Inessa realized her misstep and nearly laughed out loud. Her mother would be appalled by the idea of her not giving her name and title to a stranger. Especially a strange, good looking, man of nobility. She was, after all, supposed to be building bridges here. Connections that she could use back home. Would Enzo be that for her? Could he? It was all a gamble, one she was torn between giving into or casting aside due to her lack of experience with men like him.
”I do hope you do not get the sick from being in those clothes, Enzo. Be sure to get that coat cleaned properly before bringing it back to me, okay?” With a true smile curling over her lips, she let her mask fall and her features soften. Rose tinted her cheeks as she watched him, stepping back a bit further as Anya and Vlad slipped from the shadows to join her.”I hope we can go for a swim again sometime.” With that said, she set her mask back into place and turned to head for her dorm. Anya grumbled at her side about foolish men and Vlad chuckled, complimenting her on her aversion skills as they headed for her dorm.
Location: Hallway Company: Enzo - Enzo, Anya, and Vlad Outfit: Nessa’s outfitThoughts: ‘What was that?!’
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Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2025 12:19 pm
Enzo took a step back like she’d just punched him square in the face when she teased him about not being able to talk to a woman, “Hey, I’m talking to you, aren’t I?” His lips curved into a small grin as he met her bright gaze. Then his eyes fell, following the slow movement of her hand until her fingers pressed lightly against her lips. For a beat too long, he watched the way her mouth shaped her words, nearly missing her second playful jab. His eyes snapped back up to hers and he laughed. “I’m a gentleman.” Enzo paused, arms crossing, one brow arched as if weighing whether to give her the full truth. They’d only just met, and it wasn’t as though his honest answer was incriminating, he’d never been in any of the womens rooms. He had only had a girl over in his. And only once, “To answer your question, I have not.”
When she moved away, shaking her head at his offer to return her jacket, he caught the meaning instantly, “Yes… I see that.” His grin softened into a gentler smile, tucking the jacket under his arm. The cold clearly didn’t bother her, that much was obvious. She was clearly from Hyouden. Not that it really mattered. Still, there was something in him that wanted to peel back the layers, to see who she really was. The mystery woman took another step back, and all he wanted to do was close the space between them.
Her voice drew his attention again, and he chuckled, “I won’t, and this will come back to you just like it was new.” He held up the soggy jacket, watching the water drip onto the ground. Then her expression softened, and before he could enjoy it, shadows stirred and her people appeared at her side. He startled inwardly, though he raised a casual hand in greeting, pretending he’d noticed them all along. Truth was, they’d scared the hell out of him.
“I hope we can go for a swim again sometime.”
Her features slid back into a practiced mask, cold and unreadable, as if he hadn’t just caught that brief spark in her eyes, or that shy color in her cheeks, “Of course. Maybe when it’s a little warmer.” He laughed quietly, watching her turn toward her dorm. It wasn’t until she was nearly gone that it hit him again, he still didn’t know her name. His mouth opened to call after her, but she was already too far, and the last thing he needed was curious eyes on him this late at night, dripping wet.
T I M E S K I P
It had been about a week since his “near-death” at the lake, well, not necessarily near-death, but it had felt like it. And to his utter dismay, he had caught a cold after all. Finally, he was feeling human again, that morning he’d returned from combat training without a single sneeze. After his shower, Enzo wrapped a towel low around his waist, studying himself in the mirror before running his fingers through damp hair. His last class of the day was about to start… but he decided to skip it, blaming lingering illness.
Through the open bathroom door, a familiar fold of fabric caught his eye in the reflection of the mirror. On the chair sat the mystery womans jacket. His stomach sank, he’d gotten it cleaned the day after their unfortunate meeting, then promptly forgotten about it in his haze of coughing and fever. His mother’s voice scolded him in his head, you do not keep a lady’s clothing, and you certainly don’t forget to return it. Dressing quickly in something warm, he tucked the pink jacket under his arm and left his dorm, heading down the hall. She’d probably just finished class, maybe she was already back in her room. But as soon as he reached the women’s corridor, he froze- he had no idea which door was hers, and asking? Impossible. He didn’t even have her name.
A low groan escaped him, until he spotted someone standing outside a door farther down. He squinted, that man was her guard. He was sure of it. Slowing his steps, Enzo approached with deliberate calm, not wanting to give the impression he was a threat. “I’m here to return this…” He held up the jacket cautiously, the guard could easily take it and tell him to ******** off, but part of Enzo, a big part, hoped he’d be allowed to hand it to her himself.
OOC: N/A Location: Hot mysterious ladys dorm Company: ??? Wearing: This
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Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2025 9:27 pm
  
talking ★ thinking
In the seven days it had been since her meeting with Enzo, Inessa wondered if she had missed something. They had shared an interesting conversation. They had laughed a little. There had definitely been an ease in which they spoke to one another. In her mind, that added up that he would be back sooner rather than later to return her coat. That had been the whole reason for leaving it behind, right? If she hadn’t wanted to see him again, she would have simply taken it and moved on. Perhaps her lack of understanding in the male species had caused a misstep. She voiced such a thought to Anya as she paced around her room, tearing through clothes for her outfit she’d wear that day.
”It had been nice, yes? I had been interesting…enough. You would tell me if I had messed up, right?” Ness whipped around to face her companion, the serious look on Anya’s face saying more than any word the other woman could have given her. Sighing, she raked her fingers through her ivory locks and gave them a sharp tug. The pain helped center her, reminding her that she was being stupid. This was a stranger. A silly man that had decided to try and ‘save’ her from her bodyguard and maid. So what if he had been cute? And slightly charming? He was a man, after all. And a royal, to say the least. Another sigh passed her lips as she dropped her hand from her hair, knowing she should just get over it.
”You need not remind me, Anya. I know I am the fool. I should know better. My life is already planned out. It does not include cute boys with eyes like the setting sun.” Shaking her head, Inessa turned back to her wardrobe and pulled out a dress in a deep blue shade. The skirt hit about mid thigh, but the cloak that went with it would give her the length she knew Anya wished she’d wear. Boots in the same color followed, ending up on her bed to earn her a scoff and a sigh from her handmaiden. The princess simply ignored it, spinning about in her blush colored nightgown as she moved onto her accessories.
Outside her door, Vlad leaned comfortably against the wall beside the dorm’s entrance and chuckled at the sounds he could hear within. He was tempted to voice his thoughts on the matter, calling the younger man a fool and not worth his princess’s time, but the choice was stolen from him. Footsteps had him standing up to his full height, six feet and five inches of solid muscle. An auburn brow lifted slightly as he recognized the owner of the feet, wondering why the stranger had decided to return. His words gave him his answer, earning Enzo a nod of the head in response. He shifted enough to knock on the door at his side, causing a commotion inside that had him swallowing a chuckle. This was sure to be interesting.
”Vlad, chto ya skazal? Ne stuchi, yesli net...” The door swung open widely, revealing a ruffled and flushed Inessa in nothing but her pajamas. It was a toss up whether she was more mortified or Vlad was more amused by the moment they all found themselves in. Thankfully, Anya was smarter. She grabbed the other woman by her wrist and tugged her behind the door. The handmaid smoothly took her place, closing the door to hide the rest of the room from the eyes of the man before her. Sharp green eyes took him in, a huff of her breath the only acknowledgement of his presence. Then she shot Vlad a look that would have skinned a weaker man before slamming the door in their faces.
About ten minutes would pass before the door opened again, revealing Ness dressed and ready for her day. A soft rose would still stain her cheeks, her clear blue eyes unable to find his as she did her best to slide her mask back into place. Gods, she should have followed the rules and let Anya answer. She had been so in her own head she had forgotten what was proper and now was sure to be seen as some kind of empty headed child. The princess did her best to keep her thoughts from her features, bowing her head a bit in acknowledgement of Enzo before looking up at him from beneath her lashes.
”Good morning, Sir Enzo. To what do I…” The words trailed off as she caught sight of her jacket, understanding dawning on her. With a tip of her head, she returned her eyes to his and arched a brow slightly in question. ”Was it difficult to clean? Or was the cold just too much?” Okay, yeah, she was definitely calling him out for taking so long. But she couldn’t help it! She wanted to outright ask, but knew that was WAY over the line. Anya would die of fright if she even uttered a single word about having been thinking about him the last week. So, she stuck with the lines she knew she could use and waited as patiently as she could for his response.
OOC: MY PRETTY NEW LAYOUT FROM CHI!! THANK YOU SO MUCH, I LOVE IT!!!
Translation: Vlad, what did I say? Don't knock if there is no...
▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ ▄ ▄▄▄▄▄ʟᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ: Her dorm - Hallway★ ᴍʏ ᴄᴏᴍᴘᴀɴʏ: Enzo, Anya, and Vlad ★ ᴍᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴꜱ: No one
ᴀʟʟ ᴅʀᴇꜱꜱᴇᴅ ᴜᴘ: Nessa's jammies Nessa's outfit. ★ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ: ‘Gods, strike me down now, please...’
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