Fae Courts Let us speak of war on the morrow, tonight let us drink

[Nisha Katsuro]

It was not until she had reached the edge of the space reserved for dancing and peace that heads turned her way. One participant had thought her a Duannan child, but in fact a second glance, and a long one at that, revealed the petite woman to be a Sidhe.

She was not like the many others of her kind in appearance, but with the softness and lack of presence in her step, she had made it into the party without being traced until now.

For those that new the Sun Court would know her name, a name she had taken from the history of Arawan Oseki and used it to mask her dealings.

But why was the famed Whisperer of the Sun Court here in the Autumn Court? Did she have information to give, to give counsel to the King?

Nisha gave those that stared a smile, her eyes sweeping the faces before settling on the King. Once his eyes fell on her did she bow to him and approach softly, silently, until she kneeled before him.

Midir

 

[Oakley]

Another dance.. Unless you have someone else to take dance with?...

"No others have asked, Princess.. Seems I am yours as long as you want me," he offered a smile, though his eyes told a whole different story. This dance was diplomatic. This was why they were here. What was Her excuse? Had she not twisted the knife enough?

"I have heard of it, indeed." Oakley answered, a brow arching. "And I'm sure my King would be quite interested to know about such an army."

As he danced, his gaze persisted in straying back toward Glendora as she danced with the winged oaf, his eyes catching hers. Their anger and frustration clashed, and his blood may have been physically boiling, by how hot his skin became to the touch. Muscles writhed under his skin with the instinctual urge to shift and hunt, and kill. Though, attempting murder on the General of Autumn's armies was likely not the best idea in current circumstances, and he was sure not even Midir would forgive him such crimes.

Perhaps having the life sucked out of him would be a blessing as opposed to the torture the Princess of Night so enjoyed inflicting. But he had sworn an oath that he knew he shouldn't have, one that bound him to her whether she wanted him or not. To serve Her, to do as she willed until death took him from her. Because he, was a fucking idiot.

 

[Yvoire]

Yvoire scented the sidhe before her icy eyes fell on the petite figure. A smile of cunning lifted at her lips, but she soon turned it into pleasantness as she looked to Oakley's visage.

"Has this looming war got you all tense? Or are you worried that those attending this event may not be of help?" Yvoire then stepped away to spin, her eyes focusing on him with each turn before the males sweep back in to guide their partners further into the song. "Do not lose hope, my friend." She smiled at him, calling him a friend so easily.

She reached a hand to gently hold his jaw and guided him to see where the sidhe made approach to the Autumn King. "Do you know how rare it is for the Sun Court members to attend events like this? War and choosing sides when they are a Court to serve all?" Yvoire let her hand linger until another spin had her briefly out of his range before her feet brought her back. "You can smell the sunshine and salt on her. Feel the heat of the Sun despite standing in the Court of Autumn."

 

[Glendora]

"I would like to see where my people will be safe-guarded," she paused as she was swooped back upward. "But I will be choose who gives me a tour, General." Glendora reached for that icy mask she wore. The one she'd learned to wear since childhood. The one she'd made for survival living in a cold, dark place among cruel males.

Sid dipped his chin even though that insufferable smirk grew on his face.

She could feel Oakley at her back. It took every ounce of will power not to crane her neck to get a look. To turn and snag his eyes with her own. Then the General made the mistake of turning her a quarter. Enough for the corner of her eyes to see that other female with her hand on Oakley's jaw.

That icy mask. That millennia of self-control crumbled and cracked...melted away. As if it had never been there at all. With a snarl, she shifted to her white-fox form.

 

[Sidereal Penumbra]

Well, shite.

He saw that look in her eyes. Knew he'd shared it for the males around Lori at the encampment.

"Prince-,"

Sid was buffered with a press of magic as the princess shifted. Hackles, sharp teeth, and claws. His own magic pulsed around his wings. A dim, cloud of black wanting to rise up and spread throughout the room. Gritting his teeth, he wrangled it back on a leash as the predatory white fox bolted for Yvoire and Oakley.

Snapping his hands forward, he sent that black wall of magic toward Yvoire, meant to be a shield and buffer.

"Might I suggest you two take this outside?" Sid called through gritted teeth, a boyish charm still to his features even as his gaze brokered no argument when he locked eyes with Oakley.

 

[Oakley]

"Oh no, Princess. There are things far more terrible than war at play." he laughed quietly. "But perhaps you are right, in that I should not lose hope." he smirked.

Pale eyes followed Yvoire's gentle guidance, watching the sun courtiers as Yvoire spoke and thinking nothing of her touch until he felt the molten rage explode in the back of his mind. The small smile he wore faltered, and he dragged his eyes back to the source of that fury.

"Shit.." he growled, about to shield Yvoire from the white fox before the overgrown bat decided to involve himself further. Still, he pulled Yvoire behind him. A fox she was, but he'd witnessed exactly what those vicious little teeth were capable of. "Apologies, Princess. Thank you for the dance, and your favour, should we still have it after this shit show is through." he mused with a huff.

I suggest you don't tell me what the fuck to do. Oakley thought with sneer at the puca, before his own form shifted. If she wanted to bite, then he could damned well bite too. The blonde wolf snarled, hackles raised as he faced the snowy fox in the centre of the room.

He hated that batman was right, but he couldn't allow attempted murder on the Princess of the Day Court. They had enough trouble on their hands as it was. The growl was a warning, his nose huffing toward the nearest doorway. If she wanted to fight, they could do so less publicly.

 

[Yvoire]

Her senses were sharpened over years of keeping an eye out for threats, of knowing when threats could manifest. She had been born a target, a royal, and the rebels would do anything to eliminate her.

Yvoire chose not to cower in a protected tower, did not wish her cousin to be alone.

At least her presence kept Fionn in line, kept him on his toes and eager to prove the Nexus were not useless.

She felt the shift, heard the snarls leave past teeth meant for her neck, but a puca stood in between them. Oakley even put himself before her, and all she could think of was a moment before she had left her Court. A rebel had infiltrated the Castle, sending the Nexus on high alert and urging the Royals to cower in a Tower.

But she did not cower then. Just as she did not cower now.

Seething, the fox had become angered and wished to draw Yvoire's blood. She knew it was her own, not anyone elses, for the eyes gave away the vixen's intent. Where Oakley had held her arm to keep her back was the sole focus of the Princess of the Night Court.

And then Oakley shifted, and Yvoire caught a fleeting thought.

Mates become ferocious and territorial...

"Impressive." Yvoire cleared her throat, nodding to the wall that had protected her from the other Princess' lack of restraint. A quick glance around her, she found her cousin and Queen, giving her a sublte shrug as if to say 'Feral, utterly feral.'

Sidereal Penumbra Glendora Oakley