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 Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2025 12:12 pm
| A thread between Lily and Luka - He comes to check on her after witnessing Balim step on, and crush a corpses head, then tear apart a cabbage shortly after. |
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2025 2:49 pm
 
Mr. Langali’s little social experiment stuck with Lily, like, really stuck. It clung to her like the stench of smoke in hair, impossible to wash out no matter how hard she tried. Days had passed since the event, and yet every time she closed her eyes, she saw it. Felt it. Relived it. Balim, stepping down without hesitation…straight onto a corpse. It was a ruined face of someone who’d once been alive, someone who might’ve had a name, a home, or a mother. It cracked like overripe fruit beneath his boot, the sound sharp and wet and unforgettable. That moment looped endlessly in her brain. It wasn't just the sight that haunted her, it was the smell, too. Rot and iron… Blood, heat, and something unnamable, something terribly wrong.
She swallowed thickly, her throat dry despite the glass of water still full on her bedside table. Her eyes traced the pattern on the ceiling above her, though she wasn’t really seeing it. Just floating there, numb beneath her blankets, nerves frayed and mind overloaded. Sleep came in cycles, if at all, she hadn’t had a full night’s rest since it happened. She wasn’t prepared for that. Not for the weight of it or for the crack in reality that seemed to split down the middle that day, forcing her to see what the world was actually capable of. For all the training, the lectures, the rehearsed disaster drills, none of it had readied her for the raw, feral violence of it all.
And maybe, maybe her father had been right to keep her at the palace. She’d fought him on it for years, called him controlling, overprotective, cowardly even. But now? Her fingers curled into the sheets. Now, a terrible little voice inside her whispered, maybe he was protecting you from becoming someone you wouldn’t recognize. The mattress creaked softly as she rolled to her side, eyes drifting toward the tall window across the room. For hours she had debated reaching out to Nox. She meant to, really. Right after the event she wanted his voice, or his steadiness, the way he always seemed to know what to say, or at least how to say it.
But something had stopped her. Not just the fear of being a burden, they weren’t official, after all, and maybe it wasn’t fair to drop all of that trauma on him after he’d already dealt with her mommy issues, but it was something deeper. A fear that looking at him would break her down. Her eyes burned with tears so she blinked them away quickly, and turned her face into the pillow. It was already damp from earlier, and smelled faintly of lavender. She pressed into it, trying to quiet herself, trying to just be for a second.
But then, he crept back in. Balim. Only this time, in that dream-like, surreal twist her mind liked to play at night, he wasn’t stepping on bodies. He was ripping apart that ******** cabbage. A horrid looking cabbage too. And it wasn’t gentle, no, he tore it apart with bare hands, leaves flying everywhere, juice dripping like blood. Then his body glowed, symbols radiating across his skin, burning white-hot like something celestial and ancient. Then worse of all, he looked at her. Really looked at her. Like he was reading her soul or something and then he just disappeared!
Lily groaned and tightened her hold on the pillow, “So ******** weird,” Her voice was muffled against the cotton, and cracked a little at the end. Her thoughts swirled, never landing, never stopping. Images of that day played again and again in her head, but now, new ones, too. Luka. He kept resurfacing. She didn’t want him to. Yet she kept seeing his face, hearing his voice. Remembering the unexpected softness in his expression toward the end. When they first met, she’d written him off as a total a*****e… an arrogant, cocky a*****e. But now? He surprised her, Luka was kind. Protective, even. That stuck out to her, and made her stomach tighten.
The sharp chirp of birds outside broke her spiral, she turned toward the window, eyes swollen, body heavy. The air inside her room was stifling, thick with thoughts she couldn’t silence. Maybe the fresh air would help, maybe anything would help. She peeled herself from the bed, joints stiff, and padded over to the window. Her fingertips slipped beneath the wooden latch and eased it open. Cool air rushed in immediately, sweet with the scent of crushed leaves and distant chimney smoke.
The window was wide enough for her to climb into, and she did, settling onto the ledge with her legs curled beneath her. She leaned her head back against the cool frame, closed her eyes, and breathed. Just breathed- for once. The wind threaded through her damp bangs and kissed her cheeks, cooling her clammy skin. The sky was painted in strokes of oranges and violet, dusk bleeding slowly into night. She wanted to stay here forever, suspended in the air, untouched by memory or guilt.
But her stomach twisted again, tight and nauseous. That smell, it came back, phantom and foul. She gagged once, quietly, and clutched at her midsection. Her brain had trapped the scent in her nostrils, etched it into her memory like a tattoo. No matter how many times she bathed or how many perfumes she tried, it was there. Lingering all of the time. Her arms wrapped around herself and she rocked ever so slightly, ’When does it go away?’ she thought, “Does it ever?”
Her gaze dropped to the ground below the window, he gardens stretched in neat rows, dotted with fading blooms and scattered autumn leaves. It had felt so real. She chewed her bottom lip without realizing, only noticing when the sharp tang of blood hit her tongue. She didn’t even flinch. Her mind was too full, of Balim and his cabbage, of the corpses and the noise, of Luka’s unexpected decency. Of her own fear. And worst of all, the sickening thought that she might never forget. That this was her now, and she really didn’t know what to do with this new version.
OOC: NA Location: Dorm Company: NA Wearing: Outfit with cotton socks
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2025 7:07 pm
 This was not what he wanted to be doing with this day. After the hell that had been the stupid class they had all been forced into, Luka wanted nothing more than to drown himself in alcohol. Maybe take a quick visit into town to find a warm body to go with the booze. Granted, there were probably a few bodies on campus that were sure to be willing, but wasn’t that kinda crapping where you eat? Whatever the case, he knew there was something he had to do first. As much as he hated it.
It took him no time at all to get back into the academy, having spent the night outside under the stars. He showered, dressed in a pair of cotton pants and a dark shirt, then headed out towards the girl’s dorms. He didn’t bother with shoes, opting for a pair of thick socks, and practically skated through the halls. Of course, he earned a few looks at his antics, but Luka paid them no mind. He was going to be his true self no matter what the masses thought. It was either that, or he’d go mad in this ******** place.
On the way, he made sure to grab a few “provisions” that he knew his intended target was going to need. Snacks of the sweet and salty variety, booze, and a few other drinks just in case. The cute kitchen girl had packed it all up for him in a basket, which he’d made sure to thank her for. It had earned him a smile and a rather adorable blush in response. Luka made a mental note to hit her up later, see if he could lose himself in her sweetness, before returning to his path for the other dorms.
It took him a bit longer to find the one he wanted, having to stop and ask a passing student if she knew where it was. Thankfully, the gods were smiling on him today and the stranger gave him exactly what he wanted. More thanks and he was skating off, sliding to a stop before the door he wanted in record time.
Luka contemplated if he should knock or maybe announce himself? She was sure to be hiding away from company. Had it been his first time in battle and he’d seen what she had, Luka would have definitely locked himself away from the world. It wasn’t the healthiest thing to do, but what she’d gone through hadn’t been either. Sighing, he gave in and gently rapped his knuckles against the door. If she told him to beat feet, he’d just keep knocking. She couldn’t let this change her.
”Hey, Blondie, I know you’re in there. Open up. You need to people and I’ve brought snacks.” He jiggled the basket as if she could hear it through the door, knocking a second time just to be sure. ”If you don’t, I’m just going to keep standing out here. Maybe make a scene so everyone know that you’ve locked yourself away from the world.” Another knock, this time louder than the first two, meant to prove his words to be true as he waited for her to answer back. Location: Outside - His dorm - Dining Hall - Dorms Company: No one Outfit:Luka's outfit(minus the headphones)Thoughts: ‘This will be good for her…And if she comes out swinging, I’ll even give her the first hit. Just to be nice.’
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2025 12:18 pm
Lily leaned on the windowsill, half-lost in thought, her gaze following a pair of squirrels scurrying up and down the tree just outside. At first, she assumed they were fighting, tiny paws flailing, bodies lunging in erratic bursts. She narrowed her eyes to get a better look to try and make sense of the chaos. But then one of them jumped on the other’s back and…oh. She blinked, then snorted at herself, covering her face with both hands, she let out a short laugh, muffled against her palms. Definitely not fighting. No, it was nature’s beautiful, wildly inappropriate miracle. She peeked through her fingers one more time, shook her head, and turned away before she could witness anything more.
The corner of her mouth lifted, just slightly. Oddly, the silly sight of it helped. Her chest didn’t feel quite so heavy and for a fleeting moment, she could almost pretend she was okay. Well, almost. Because behind that laughter, was the images of what she witnessed in Musique haunting her mind. The way Balim didn’t even hesitate before casually stepping on that corpses skull. Not even horny squirrels could fix that. She turned from the window and moved toward the mirror above her dresser. Leaning close, she inspected her mouth, lips parted just enough to see the darkened mark on her bottom lip. “s**t…” She muttered under her breath, gently biting down again to test the soreness. It stung and there was still a bit of blood. She ran her tongue over it, wiping it away, and then let her head drop back as she groaned, the ceiling stared blankly back.
She had to get out of this room, but the thought alone made her stomach twist. It was a tight, nauseating knot that grew every time she imagined stepping out that door, into the noise and the eyes and the possibility of seeing Balim again and not knowing how to act. With a huff, she flopped back onto her bed, arms splayed out, eyes shut tight. She focused on her breath, counting deliberately slow. She was in her dorm, not in Musique. She was in her dorm, not watching her classmate crush someone’s head like it was a rotten melon. She was safe. She was—
Tap, tap, tap.
Lily’s eyes snapped open and whole body went rigid as she bolted upright, every bit of calm she’d just fought for evaporated in an instant. Her eyes flicked to the door and her breath stopped. ‘It’s fine,’ She tried convincing herself, ‘I’m in my dorm.’ But someone was outside and they were still knocking. Her mind scrambled through possibilities- Nox? Maybe he had come to check on her? That thought brought a small smile to her lips, and she stood, brushing off her skirt. She could do this. Then she heard the voice, and it wasn’t Nox. She recognized it, but faintly. A thread of familiarity tugged at the edge of her memory. She paused mid-step, eyebrows drawing together, “Who…Blondie?” That nickname. There was only one person who called her that. She stepped a little closer, listening. The voice kept rambling, and there was something else was there. It was faint…was that glasses clinking? Lily squinted hard, then tilted her head like that might help her hear better.
The moment he threatened to announce her self-imposed exile to the entire hallway, the door swung open without another moment of hesitation, and there he was. Luka. All tall and irritatingly handsome Luka, standing in her doorway like he belonged there, like his visit was normal. His shirt clung in all the worst -or best- ways to his chest and arms. In his hands was a basket, an actual basket, overflowing with snacks, sweets, and, hallelujah, bottles. Real ones, probably very alcoholic ones. Her eyes drifted downward, narrowing, “Wha… where are your shoes?” Her brow arched, of all things, that’s what she focused on first. Maybe she should’ve asked why he was here, or how he knew where her dorm was. But somehow, his socks were what her brain decided to process.
Lily leaned a shoulder against the doorframe, and crossed her arms over her chest, eyeing him with thinly veiled suspicion, “Luka,” She sighed softly, “What are you doing here?” She didn't mean to sound rude, but her tone did come out a little exasperated. He was the last person she expected to see, honestly he was the last person she thought wanted to see her. Their last encounter hadn’t exactly screamed new friendship, even if he’d been… kinder in the end than she expected. But still, this? Showing up with snacks and booze like they were close? She studied him for a moment longer, expression unreadable. Then her gaze slid back to the bottles with a subtle flicker of longing. Maybe this was exactly what she needed. A good drink and a chance to let herself go for the rest of the day. A day where she didn’t have to convince herself every hour that she was fine, because she wouldn’t have to pretend anything at all. Luka was there with her, he knew what she witnessed, he saw it too.
She chewed on the inside of her cheek while she internally went back and forth with herself over letting him in. Was he just trying to get his rocks off or did he actually care to know how she was? Her gaze returned to his, a beat passed, then she turned and pressed her back against the doorframe, motioning for him to enter, “Fine, but only because you have alcohol.”
OOC: NA Location: Dorm Company: Luka Wearing: Outfit with cotton socks
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Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2025 1:39 pm
A grin spread over his lips at the sudden opening of the door before him. Yeah, he had known that would do the trick. She didn’t strike him as the type that would be okay with her dirty laundry aired out in public. He opened his mouth to greet her, to offer her up the basket in his hands, but her words cut him off. Laughter rolled out of him instead, rather surprised that the sight of his sock covered feet affected her in such a way. What would she have done if he had barefooted it over to her dorm? The scandal! Gods, the upper crust were something else!
”I left them in my dorm. Didn’t need them for this.” He left it at that, not seeing a reason to add to his explanation. Would she have rather he tracked his muddy boots into her room? Doubting it, Luka shifted the basket in his arms a bit and arched a brow at her question. He looked down at his gift then back up at her, his head tipping to the side a bit as if she had spoken a different language. Was she really that slow?
”I kinda figured the crap in my arms would be answer enough, but if you want me to give you it in layman’s terms I can.” He knew she’d been traumatized by what had happened, but had she gotten knocked in the head and he’d missed it? Or was she just determined to be a punk and look down her nose at his kind gesture? Betting on the latter, Luka swallowed the urge to sigh over spoiled brats and did his best not to tap his foot at her in annoyance.
When she finally gave in, his grin returned and his mood brightened. Smart girl. A chuckle escaped at her mention of the booze, his arms shifting the basket to one side so he could lift a bottle from inside of it. He turned to side step past her, leaning in on purpose as they came nearly nose to nose on his way in. Luka did nothing but look at her, amber eyes catching the smudges of black beneath her eyes she probably didn’t realize she had. She hadn’t been sleeping. A normal response to what had gone down, but it twisted him up inside to see it. She was rather pretty, when she wasn’t rocking the ‘******** off’ stamp on her forehead.
”Atta girl. It’s all yours, Blondie. I got a bit of everything, since I wasn’t sure what you’d be interested in. This one’s my favorite, you should give it a shot.” He waved the teal bottle in front of her face, waiting for her to take it before continuing into her room. A quick scan had him biting the inside of his cheek to keep from snickering. It was so…feminine. Granted, he spent most of his time in his tent outside, but it never failed to surprise him the softness that her gender had when it came to their personal space.
”I figured we could start with the snacks, put some food in your stomach, then move on to getting smashed. We can talk, or we can sit in silence. Whatever works for you.” As he spoke, he set the basket on her desk and began pulling things out of it. Sammies, chips, cookies, and normal drinks went first. He had a few candies, some gummies, and a small veggie tray as well. Damn, the girl had hooked him up! Pleased with the choices, he moved on to the liquor and lined it up behind all the food. Their buffet looked good, even having him snag a carrot before turning to look her way. His teeth snapped the orange veggie easily, jaw chomping as he waited for her answer. Location: Dorms - Blondie’s room. Company: Blondie Thoughts: ‘It smells like flowers in here…I kinda like it...’
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 10:41 am
“Layman’s terms. Are you kidding me?” Lily narrowed her eyes at him, her tone flat with disbelief. Of course he was being a jerk again. She gripped the edge of the door like she might slam it in his smug face just to wipe the grin off it. And she almost did, but then her eyes dropped, unfortunately, to the basket in his hands. Those damned bottles. Her grip loosened, it would be a waste not to drink those and sadly for her pride, she needed what he was offering a hell of a lot more than she needed to be annoyed at him.
With a dramatic exhale, one that sent strands of her bangs fluttering upward, she let her shoulders fall back against the door, pushing it open just enough to let him inside. Her mutter was quiet but not exactly kind when she told him that the only reason he was welcome in was because of the booze. She didn’t miss the way his stupid, cocky grin deepened as she stepped aside. She rolled her eyes hard enough to feel it in her skull. What the hell was his deal anyway? Why was he showing up like this was something he wanted to do?
Then... he was there right in front of her. Her breath caught because his face was barely an inch away, close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating off his skin, see every little fleck of color in his amber eyes. Her heart kicked once, hard, and her eyes widened slightly as heat rose sharp and fast up her neck and into her cheeks.
Why was he so close? Did he see something that she didn’t or was he just trying to be obnoxious?
She stared back, startled, blinking at him like he was something that had appeared out of thin air. But only for a second, then her brain caught up and her hands flew up between them to shove him away. But she was too late, Luka slid past her effortlessly, replacing his face with a bottle shoved into her space like some kind of weird peace treaty. Lily growled under her breath, clenching her jaw as her brows pinched together. He was so irritating…so casual, so impossible to throw off, and yet, she took the bottle. Of course she did, because she needed it.
Lily followed him inside, grumbling just loud enough for him to hear, “Ever heard of personal space?” He looked around her bedroom like he was evaluating something, like her stuff or her space. It made her skin prickle and her cheeks burn again, this time out of embarrassment. Gods, was he judging her? He probably was, no, he definitely was. So, she twisted the cap off the bottle, not even bothering to ask what it was. It didn’t matter, the goal wasn’t enjoyment, it was numbing. She tilted her head back and took the shot with hesitation, and immediately regretted it.
The liquor scorched her throat like it was trying to kill her. Her eyes squeezed shut and her body tensed as the burn slid all the way down, warming her chest in a way that felt both uncomfortable and addictive. She was never good at shots. Before it even hit her stomach, her chest spasmed, she tried to hold back the cough, but it escaped anyway. She pressed her lips together hard and held her breath, trying to stifle the rest until the worst of the burning passed. When she opened her eyes again, she zeroed in on the desk, on the snacks and bottles lined up neatly behind them. There was no way he did this himself. Lily hugged the bottle closer, like it was her life line, and stepped toward the desk to examine the spread. She leaned in, scanning over everything like it might explain the meaning of life to her.
“I-” She began to say something, but the sudden snap of a carrot made her flinch, not because it was scary, it was just loud. The silence in the room had made her sensitive to every little noise, and it didn’t help that her nerves were already on edge. “Who made this for you?” Her posture straightened, but her tone was careful. She turned to look at him, her eyes narrowing slightly with suspicion, “I’ll have to thank them later.” She arched a brow, her sass bubbling back to the surface, curling across her face like a defense mechanism.
Her gaze flicked back to the food, something else caught her attention- the candles. It was a thoughtful gesture, too thoughtful for someone like him. She stared at one for a long beat, then picked it up and sniffed. Lavender and something else, warm and herbal she couldn’t quite name. A smile ghosted across her lips, barely there, but real. She didn’t let herself think about it too long, just opened a drawer, pulled out a set of matches, set the bottle down and struck a match. She lit the candle, and watched the tiny flame flicker to life, the scent helped, it filled the room, masking the faint, lingering smell of death that she hadn’t been able to get out of her nose since.
She shifted her weight, leaned forward again, then bent over the desk. Her lips pressed together in quiet deliberation, there were sandwiches, bread, meat, even fruit, but just looking at that made her stomach twist. Too heavy. So, she grabbed a cookie instead, one of the big ones that was thick and warm and full of chocolate. She picked her bottle back up and turned around to face him. His words echoed in her mind, he said that he’d sit in silence with her or talk. But she didn’t believe him. There was no way this man was actually sweet, right? “Luka…” She said his name with a sharp edge she didn’t mean, so she paused, forcing herself to soften, “Why are you here? Really.” She gestured toward the table, at the booze and the snacks and the candles, “Why do you care if I eat? I got the impression you didn’t like me very much.”
She gnawed lightly on her bottom lip, she wasn’t wrong for assuming it, Lily hadn’t exactly been kind. She’d been bossy, sarcastic and dismissive. Every interaction was tinged with something sharp, because that’s what she knew how to be in that kind of horrific situation. That’s what felt safe for whatever reason. She lifted the bottle again and took another shot, smaller this time, then chased it with a bite of the cookie. Oh gods. The chocolate melted instantly in her mouth, it was sweet, soft a little salty… It was amazing. A quiet moan escaped her throat before she could stop it. She caught herself with wide eyes and covered her mouth, cheeks burning bright with embarrassment. That may have been dramatic, a little much, but… she couldn’t help it. It was her favorite and she hadn’t eaten since that class. She was practically starving.
OOC: NA Location: Dorm Company: Luka Wearing: Outfit with cotton socks
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Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2025 2:52 pm
Her little outburst had him chuckling softly under his breath. Gods, she was easy to ruffle. A spoiled brat that was so used to people doing whatever she wanted and bowing down to her every whim. Was it so odd for her to have someone that did the opposite? Most likely, which meant he was going to continue to do it while he was here. She needed to face the reality of the world. Royalty or not, there were going to be people in life that didn’t cow tow to her and would more than likely fight back if she tried to make them. Starting with the snowy haired man that had come with a peace offering and was being scoffed at.
”Yeah, I’ve heard of it. But I’ve learned that sometimes, in life, people need to have someone up in theirs. Give them a shock to the system and remind them that not everyone thinks the way they do. Or is a servant for them to boss around.” He grinned at her as he spoke the last few words, grabbing a bottle for himself before moving to sit in one of the chairs in her room. He finished the last bit of his carrot, long legs stretched out before him as he got comfortable. The urge to eat a bit more stirred, but seeing her opening the bottle had him changing tactics. If she wanted to get smashed first and munch later, he was definitely game. So, he popped the top on his own to drink deeply from its contents as his amber eyes followed her around the room.
The sound of her cough had his laughter erupting from his lips. He nearly spit his drink everywhere, swallowing quickly as the amusement of the moment crashed into him. Damn girl was a weakling! This was going to be fun! Luka wiped tears from his eyes as he tried to regain his composure, having not laughed like that in a while. It wasn’t until she spoke again that he found the power to actually take a breath that didn’t end with him bursting into laughter all over again. She had such an attitude about his offering that he couldn’t help the desire to throw her words right back into her face.
”I picked out the choices, but I had some of the kitchen hands whip it up for me. I can make a mean pot of chili, but the rest is a bit out of my scope. Figured you’d enjoy something with a bit more care in it than five alarm chili and cornbread.” Not that he would have taken the time to make such a thing for a punkass like she was acting. Maybe he should have just stuffed the idea and let her stew. She obviously wanted to be alone, so it was only fair that he gave her what she wanted. The thought lingered in his mind for a few seconds before he tossed it right out the window. Nope. He wasn’t going to give in. No matter how bitchy she was with him.
The tone in which she spoke his name had his eyes narrowing, his body tensing up for a fight. If she was going to try and give him the boot, he was more than happy to dig in his heels. The words jumped to his tongue to defend himself with, only to evaporate when she continued. Her voice was…different this go around. Intrigued, Luka followed her motions and looked over the food. A shoulder shrug was all he could give, not really knowing why he’d decided to come. Maybe he was a fool. Or a masochist. Both tracked, considering he was putting himself in a situation with an unknown woman that obviously wanted nothing to do with him.
”Figured you could use a friend. Or, at the very least, someone that got what you are going through. The first time you kill someone is never easy, whether it’s a simulation or not.” Leaving it at that, he drank from his bottle once more and did his best to hide the shadows of his past that wanted to race through his mind. No, this wasn’t about him or what he’d done. He was here to support her. Or, at the very least, get her to eat something so she didn’t starve to death. Having that on his conscience was definitely not something he wanted added to his lifetime, thank you very much.
At the sound of her moan, his brain shifted gears and his eyes widened in surprise. He was a man, after all, and that…had been one hell of a noise. Luka did his best to clear his throat, to keep from commenting on it, but couldn’t stop the knowing grin from returning to his lips. His eyes danced with amused curiosity as he just watched her, waiting to see if she called him on it or tried to play it off as if it were nothing. Gods, he really hoped she made the sound again instead. Location: Blondie’s room. Company: Blondie Thoughts: ‘Okay, yeah, that was ******** hot….’
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Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 9:13 am
Lily sighed, tilting her head slightly away from the food to steal a glance at him, “I knew it.” The words slipped out with a quiet, sarcastic laugh, of course he hadn’t made it himself. Maybe it was the thought that counted. “I’ve never had chili,” She now turned fully to face him, “I’ve never even heard of chili.” Was it like soup? Or something worse? Her brow arched, “I love cooking…” She stopped, realizing too late she was giving him pieces of herself she didn’t necessarily hand out freely. “So… I’d love to try it one day. Maybe you could teach me how to make it?” She didn’t like not knowing about other cuisines. If this snowy-haired man knew how to make something, she wanted to know what it was and how to do it herself.
Purely for educational purposes, of course. Not because she wanted to spend more time in his presence. Absolutely not.
When she’d asked why he was here, something flickered in his expression. For a second, she thought he might snap at her, and honestly, she half expected it. She chewed on her lower lip, yes, she was being a brat. But that was her armor, and she wasn’t about to set it down just because he decided to grace her with company and pretend to care. She didn’t exactly trust him… not yet at least. Her eyes followed his every move as he joined her by the food, picking through his options while he seemed to weigh his words. Was he debating whether to admit she was right? That he didn’t like her and wasn’t sure why he was wasting his time? She wouldn’t blame him. Their history wasn’t exactly pleasant.
But what came out of his mouth wasn’t an insult. She blinked, surprised, looking up from the cookie in her hand. His voice carried no mockery, just something kind of genuine. Whatever the motive, it wasn’t cruelty. Whether it came from the goodness of his heart or some hidden agenda didn’t matter, her lips still curved into the faintest smile. “Well… thank you.” The words were quiet and a little reluctant. She didn’t want to say them, waiting his smugness to return, but she couldn’t deny they were true. She was grateful for his company, and to his credit, she probably wouldn’t have eaten at all if not for him.
Then she bit into the cookie, and immediately regretted it. Not because it was bad, because it was too good. The involuntary sound that escaped her lips made her freeze, eyes locked straight ahead as heat flooded her neck. He definitely heard it. Now she had to play it cool… somehow. Her cheeks burned hotter when he cleared his throat. “What? Have you never made a woman moan before?” Her tone was sharp, defensive, and it was saturated with sarcasm, though the blush in her face betrayed her. “I can’t say I’m surprised…” Lilly muttered, breaking the stare to take another bite, this time biting her lip hard to keep any further humiliating noises from slipping out. But Gods, it was good.
Her skin prickled under the weight of his gaze. It was that oh so irritating way he would look at her during history class, like he knew something she didn’t. She hated it, she also hated that a very small, very traitorous part of her wondered what would happen if she let him keep looking. She retreated to her bed, and crossed her legs beneath her. Her eyes tracked him with a mix of caution and another thing she refused to name. It was time to shift the conversation before he could comment further.
“You’re right, it wasn’t easy.” Tilting her head back, she took another small shot from the bottle he’d brought her, “I know it wasn’t real, but I-” Her voice caught forcing her to turn her gaze toward the window, swallowing to steady herself. “-I keep seeing his face…Or lack thereof.” Her tone changed, it was low, maybe even distant. Like she’d stepped back into that moment, reliving what she’d done to that soldier. She drank again and the liquor burned less this time. Thank the Gods, it was starting to work. “I’m a spoiled brat who lived behind walls under my father’s watchful eye, kept from fighting for my kingdom.” Her teeth clenched, all the training in the world hadn’t prepared her for what she’d seen. Fake or not.
The tension in her body eventually began to melt into the warmth of the alcohol, “I assume you’ve been through battle. It was obvious, the way you handled yourself in the simulation.” Her green eyes traveled over him without permission. Casual clothes now, more relaxed than she’d seen him before. He looked calm and she envied that. Twisting her fingers into the blanket, she locked eyes with him again. “…How do you deal with it?” Damn it, she hated that she cared about the answer.
OOC: NA Location: Dorm Company: Luka Thoughts: Sigh Annoying men always have the best body. Wearing: Outfit with cotton socks
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Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2025 8:00 pm
Surprise raced over his features at her little admission. How had she never had chili? It was an amazing food, and not really all that difficult to make. Maybe they called it something else where she was from? It was a definite possibility, considering the things he’d learned from the other nobles he’d gotten to know.
Luka opened his mouth to ask if she had a dish that was like it, only to swallow the words as he watched her. Of course she’d never had chili before. She was a silver spoon baby. Born to be the perfect reflection of good breeding and posh manners. Hell, he’d be surprised if she’d ever had anything but the finer things in her life. He had a feeling she even had a chef back home, one that had taught her all the so-called skills she was sure to boast about.
As if on cue, she began to spout off about her interests. Had he not been anticipating it, Luka was sure he would have been more surprised that she was sharing. Brats didn’t share. They huffed and puffed and pouted. Some even sulked, though she definitely seemed more the pouty type. What he hadn’t thought of was that she’d be interested in learning something from him. Well color him shocked. It was an intriguing thought, one he mulled over as he tapped his fingers absently against the bottle in his hand.
”Five alarm chili might be too much for your palette, Blondie. We can start with a two alarm, ease you into the heat, then see how it goes. If you’re up to taking orders from me, that is.” Yes, he was taunting her a little with the words, but it seemed to be a kneejerk reaction where she was concerned. He enjoyed ruffling her up. It brought the light back into her eyes that the echoes of their history class had stolen. Why he cared, well, he tried not to think about that.
At her thanks, Luka said nothing. He simply nodded his head and drank from his bottle. Understanding needed no words, after all. Plus, he couldn’t say the whole thing wasn’t completely selfless. He had been a little worried about her, like the tiniest of bits. But he had been more concerned with the b*****d coming to find her first and ******** her up even more than the class had. It seemed like his type of MO, and it went against Luka’s better judgement to let her get messed with after what they’d been through.
Of course, his goodwill was tested when her next few words were thrown in his face. She was really gunning for a fight, wasn’t she? The temptation to get up in her space again, to show her exactly what he was capable of, raced through him to have his grin turning wicked on his lips. A snowy brow arched slightly in challenge, begging for her to try him. To just give him one good reason to show her exactly what he could do to a woman. Luka would be sure to have her eating her words…among other things.
”Watch it, Blondie. I don’t make it a habit of proving women wrong, but there is always a first time for everything.” Luka left it at that, sinking further into her chair as he continued to simply grin at her. He brought his drink back to his lips again, letting the alcohol soothe the edges of his ruffled feathers. She was a beautiful thorn in his side, and she knew it. And he was a serious fool for putting himself in a position where she could continue to stab at his patience and willpower.
When the topic shifted back onto their previously attended “class”, his eyes narrowed a bit on her face. There it was. The shadow. The gloom that was going to follow her around for the rest of her life. Cursing softly under his breath, he shook his head and tipped the bottle back to drain the contents in one go. He was going to need A LOT more if he was going to get through this with her. Might as well get through it before getting into the deeper side of things. Or so he told himself anyway as he pushed himself to his feet.
”Yeah, I kinda figured you’d been hidden away. It shows. You’ve got a shine to you.” Okay, maybe that was a little over the top. But he wasn’t going to lie to her. Snatching another carrot, Luka munched as he rummaged through the bottles he’d brought with him. He went for something more foreign this time, snagging a bottle of Funkazan fire whiskey before turning to look back at her. Her gaze had him once more arching a brow, a new kind of heat racing through his blood as she looked him over. He recognized that look, and as much fun as it would to call her on it, he simply shrugged and popped the top on his drink.
”You’d be correct in such an assumption, and I will take the rest of your words as a compliment.” He finished off the carrot he’d chosen before snagging a handful of grapes this time, leaving the food to step up to the foot of her bed. Her question had him pondering over how to answer. Would she see through a lie if he tried to give her one? Would she appreciate it if he sugar coated things? There were many options, but Luka didn’t have the energy for any of it. If she wanted to know, he’d give her the truth. Or, rather, his truth.
”Alcohol is always an option. I drowned myself for about a week after my first time. It silences the voices, erases the faces. But it’s only temporary.” He tapped his bottle against her own in cheers before sitting on the bed beside her, leaning back on his elbows to look up at her ceiling. ”Burying yourself in a warm body is also another tactic, but that can come with questions you don’t want to answer. Or emotions that just make things even worse.” Luka kept his escapades to himself, not wanting to regale her with the multitude of bodies he had tried to use as an escape from the horrors he’d done in the name of his kingdom.
”In the end, the only thing you can do is live. Push through the shock, the fear, the warm embrace of the void that calls to you from the back of your mind and tells you it’s better if you just stay away. That it’s safer to just lock yourself in and ignore the world.” A dark look passed over his face, showing her the side of him he did his damnedest to keep from the world. The monsters that hid under his bed were far worse than hers could ever be, and he wanted her to know that if he could do it so could she.
”I can promise you, Blondie, it’s a lie. The only thing to do is continue on. And, believe me, it’s going to ******** suck. Hard.” Luka shifted his weight on her bed to drink from the whiskey, hissing softly at the stronger punch the drink had over his previous one. He did his best to ignore it, taking a second longer drink, before returning to his previous position. ”And I’d be a liar myself if I said it got easier. It just gets…less. The weight lightens, the images fade, the sounds soften. You remember that things are never as bad as they had been in that moment and move on. You never forget you just…exist. If that makes sense.” Okay, maybe he wasn’t doing the best of jobs explaining, but it was all he had. Shrugging at his own thoughts, Luka let his body fall back until he was flat on her bed. His eyes, though, never left her. He wanted to see if she understood. Or if she thought him to be nothing more than the fool she’d already assumed him to be. Location: Blondie’s room. Company: Blondie Thoughts: ‘How did I end up telling her all of that?! That’s not why I’m here…Right?’
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 11:57 am
Lily stared, red-faced, embarrassed and horrified at the sound that had escaped her. And still, he had that look on his face. She knew her words must’ve sparked something in him, there was a new light in his eyes that made her stomach tighten. Lily knew she was getting under his skin, but from the way he kept looking at her, it didn’t seem to be in the way she intended. The flush on her cheeks deepened into a burning crimson at his remark. Was she surprised? Not really. She had sort of walked herself into that one. What did surprise her, however, was the way she responded, or rather, the way her body did. A chill ran down her spine, leaving a streak of heat in its wake. She needed to change the subject.
So, she made way to her bed, trying for a new topic, some way to shift the mood. Finally, she found herself able to look at Luka again, only to eventually roll her eyes at his words. A shine? She had been called many things, but being told she had a shine to her was new. Gods, he drove her mad. Worse, he wasn’t wrong. Which only made him more irritating. She wasn’t exactly rough around the edges, and she knew that showed. “I’m still not as shiny as you think, Sir,” Lily muttered under her breath, one brow arching, the faintest flicker of mischief in her eyes- oh, the stories she could tell.
If she liked him enough to tell them. Which didn’t seem likely anytime soon.
Her eyes drifted before she realized it, trailing down his body like they had their own will, only to be startled back when the sharp snap of a carrot broke through her wandering thoughts. Her gaze climbed back up to his face just as he finished off the orange vegetable. Lily giggled quietly to herself, ’He sort of looks like an arctic hare…’ Liquor fueled amusement warmed her as she pictured soft rabbit ears sprouting from his white hair. But then he approached, answering her in that low voice of his, the innocent fun drained from her thoughts, replaced by something else, something heavier. That nagging little feeling she kept trying to ignore. She actually felt for him. Not in a pitying way, but in a way that made her want to comfort him, reach out, take some of that weight off his shoulders. He was showing a side of himself she hadn’t believed he even had.
Green eyes met gold as their bottles clinked together. Luka sat beside her, and already the alcohol seemed to be doing exactly what he’d promised it would. Temporary, sure, but in that moment, she didn’t care. Lily kept her gaze on him, tilting her head slightly to follow the lazy shift of his body as he leaned back. A warm body beside hers… something she hadn’t tried yet. Although…
Lily blinked hard. No. She wasn’t going there. Besides, to her dismay, he was right again, getting close would only invite emotions she wasn’t interested in wrestling with. Or at least, that’s what she kept telling herself. She started to look away, then stopped. The weight in his words changed and his expression shifted. His jaw tightened, his face hardened, and that light in his eyes dimmed. Like he wasn’t here anymore, like he was staring at something only he could see. ********. There it was again. That aching urge to comfort the usually maddening man. Her hand hovered over his bent arm before falling back to the bed as soon as she realized what she was doing. Instead, Lily tossed back another shot of vodka, unfolded her legs, and laid down flat next to him. His words echoed in her mind, stubbornly clinging to the quiet between them. Damn it, why was it actually good advice?
She stared up at the ceiling, focusing on old marks in the plaster, anything to keep herself steady, “Thank you for not lying to me.” Her voice was low, unsure, like she wasn’t entirely convinced the words were right, or enough. Because really, she didn’t know what to say. She turned her head when she heard him take another swig of whiskey, only to find him watching her. Her breath caught from the intensity behind his gaze. She should’ve said something, anything, but the words caught in her throat. Her eyes widened slightly, “Luka…” His name left her in one soft, breathless slip, quiet enough it nearly didn’t exist at all. Whatever he had been through, it was worse than anything she could imagine. That much was clear. And here she was, locking herself away, dealing with a death that wasn’t even real. One fake soldier dying at her hands, and she’d crumbled like it had been the end of the world.
Suddenly, she sat up, breaking their eye contact instantly. The thankfully closed vodka bottle rolled off the bed and thudded onto the floor. Her hands curled tight into the blanket beneath her palms, “I’m so sorry…” Her fingers tightened their grip, and she drew a slow breath, steadying herself, “You’ve clearly been through something terrible and I’m just-” Her voice faltered, the words breaking midair. Lily shook her head, twisting just enough to look back at him, “It makes sense,” She finally said, because it did.
After her mother’s death, those feelings never left. They haunted her and still she kept moving, kept breathing, but the shadows were always there. So why should this be any different? For a moment, she simply watched him. How in all the gods’ names was this the same man who’d just been looking at her with that stupid grin? A part of her, a dangerous, tempting part, wanted to lean in, to close the distance, to really look at him, maybe even to feel his li- no. No, not that.
Instead, she pushed herself off the bed, crossed to the desk, and snatched up a carrot. Slowly, almost theatrically, she turned back toward the bed with a sly smile tugging at her lips. Holding the carrot like it was a weapon, Lily crawled back onto the bed on one hand and her knees, prowling up to him with playful menace. “Has anyone ever told you that you look like an arctic hare?” She sat back on her knees, leaning forward just enough to hold the carrot over his face, her grin curling wicked and coy, “You seem to really like carrots, too…”
OOC: NA Location: Dorm Company: Luka Thoughts: <********, ********, ********. Why do I care if he's okay or not... Wearing: Outfit with cotton socks
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