Fae Courts The Delights of the Wild Hunt

[Asemir]

Pim burst out laughing.

Asemir's glacial gaze narrowed and lips drew thin. A deep, rumbling hmm of consideration was given to Luella and her sass.

Tensa's brows disappeared into his hairline and he leaned back in his chair ... then leaned a little further as if trying to look up her skirt, "Excuse me while I check for brass balls between those fabulous legs."

"You can hit him," Baenon offered while he carefully reordered his cards, "everyone does."

The sidhe immediately stopped snickering and eyed Luella warily, "Please no."

"Raise 50 Rumes," Asemir sighed, pushed the bid forward and slumped back in his seat. He ran a hand over his chin and very suddenly had a Cece stroll right into his line of sight, between his legs, and made herself comfortable again. He watched her serve Luella and then herself and could only eye her quizzically as he reached for the last remaining bottle, bit the cork and spat it off to the side before taking a hefty swig.

There would be no complaints about a beautiful woman in his lap. Especially not one that delivered wine. Most especially not Ceilidh. Never Ceilidh. He digressed and settled into his new role as furniture with zero resentment.

"Shebs," Pim hovered back and forth between her cards before knocking one loose back to the table and tossing forward the appropriate Rumes for discard. Baenon watched her patiently, making the forest nymph's wings hum with anxiety, "hold!"

"I'll see your 50," Baenon pushed his bid forward, "and raise you another 20."

"I bet you a bottle of wine Pim is out in the next round," Ase muttered to Cece with a smirk.

 

[Midir]

Asemir.

Midir's eyes flickered over to the gambling tables where he could see his brothers blonde head just above the others in his circle. He had a woman tucked into his lap and seemingly hadn't seen their exchange at all. But when he found out...

Curse his brother to the ninth circle of hell.

"My Lady Dianthe," he forcibly wiped the dark look from his face and reigned in that monstrous power that seemed to leak when he didn't have it in a choke hold. In a few quick steps he had caught up with her and caught her hand in his with surprising gentleness. "Please forgive me, I... jumped to conclusions. My position attracts... insincere affection more often than not and my decisions impact more than just myself," he swept and pressed a kiss to her hand.

"If you truly wish to join my court, might I offer to escort you on a tour the day after tomorrow?"

 

[Dianthe Cyrene]

Dianthe paused as she heard Midir call to her. She took a deep breath and steadied herself as she felt him grab her hand gently. She turned, her eyes still not meeting his.

Midir was explaining himself, and she nodded in understanding. "You don't have to apologize to me, I let the wine lead my words. I shouldn't have been so forward." He kissed her hand gently, and a hint of a smile returned to her lips.

Dianthe looked up at him finally as he offered to escort her on a tour of his court. She couldn't help the small glint of excitement in her eyes, she just wanted to belong after all. "I would love nothing more than for you to show me your court. Asemir has told me great things about it, but who better to hear it from than it's own Erlking."



Midir

 

[Zaire]

Luella graciously took the bottle of wine, murmuring thank you to Ceilidh, appreciating the fact she had also been kind enough to uncork it for her. When she brought it to her lips and took a sip, she grimaced the moment the burgundy liquid hit her tongue. Oh, how bitter. She sniffed the top and scowled, how could something that smelled this sweet taste nothing like it? Just in case, she took another sip to double check that she didn’t enjoy it. She left the bottle on the table.

Luella stiffened the moment the Sidhe leaned over and commented on her legs. Her first response was her strong thighs flexing as she quickly clapped them together, before feeling quite silly. It was a joke, she knew it as such. Still, it didn’t keep her from the thought of wanting to show him exactly what her “fabulous” legs could do.

“They’re bigger than yours if that’s what you’re curious about,” Luella directed at the Sidhe as playfully as she could, her arms kept firmly to her sides. She wouldn’t hit him, she couldn’t be so rude as to possibly knock him out. She noted the way Asemir and Baenon raised the pot to a total of 70, also noting how earlier Pim had discarded a card. She looked back down at her set of cards. Oh. Perhaps she had spoke too soon. Well it wasn’t the first time her pride and competitive nature had gotten her in trouble.

“Discard… and, then I can draw and then… hold?” Luella said, looking up around everyone after she had dropped the 10 rumes to discard her highest card, before drawing a new one. She was hoping she hadn’t said anything wrong, but also, looking back at her cards, she was still well over 13. She’d need to discard quite a few more.

Asemir Ceilidh Trahan

 

[Asemir]

"Two moves per turn," Baenon remarked.

"You only need to call hold if you make no other move," said Pim.

"Hold my wine," said Asemir as he handed it to Cece and leaned forward to shove the rest of his bidding pile to the middle, "all in."

"Shut the front gate!" Pim slapped at her cards and sent them toppling askew, "I fold!"

"Alright," the black shuck sat up, eyeing Asemir over his own hand, "I'm calling. Show your hand."

Smirking faintly, Asemir dropped his hand face up on the table, "13. Four threes, Crown and Spear cancel, Antler wild card for 1."

Baenon sniffed, gently collected his cards together in his hands and set them on the table, "Good game."

"How's that hand looking there Balsinde?" Ase glanced over at her with a calm smirk.

 

[Zaire]

Oh, so many blunders. Whoops. Luella looked over as Asemir went all in, eyes widening slightly. Oh, so then it was over. Her eyes went to Pim and then Baenon, before glancing at the cards that the duanann had placed on the table. He had thirteen, and she had… way more than thirteen. Well, at least she somewhat held her promise— she would lose in less than five rounds. She didn’t expect it be two, though.

“It looks about as shitty as my personality,” Luella quipped, accompanying her words with a playful grin, separating her cards equally into two hands before flipping them over to showcase everyone her cards. “I have no clue what some of these represent, but isn’t this close to 30?” She asked. Placing her cards neatly together in a stack, she shrugged. “You win,” She said, without having a hint of envy, pushing the allowance of rubes he had given her back to him, and dipping her head.

Her eyes caught her bottle of wine on the table, nearly untouched, and decided to slide that over to him as well. Glancing at Ceilidh in his lap, and seeing a good portion of wine was already gone from her bottle, she decided that they could use this wine more than her. “You may as well take this, you’re both too sober for just winning.” She glanced upward at Asemir for a final time before looking over at the other fae. “And I think I’ll be seeing you all next Taungsday, if the invitation to have this seat is still open?” Luella was no gambler, or at least, she wouldn’t be a stupid one. Nonetheless, she wanted to win at least one game… or maybe a couple dozen to prove this loss was just because she was a beginner.

Asemir Ceilidh Trahan

 

[Ceilidh Trahan]

Ceilidh was stuck holding two wine bottles and it really was not a bad position to be in. She was on the lap of a very good looking male with two bottles of wine. There was no way she could be upset now. That was a lie, of course, but she tried to bury the feelings of sorrow that kept trying to push themselves up to the surface.

She drank from her bottle and smiled at the sweet liquid as the others around the table started to go out after the revelation of Asemir’s winning hand. Good, almost over. She had other things she wanted to do with him like catch up on what he has been doing with his life. She set his bottle on the table and drank a little more from hers in silence.

Cece looked over at Luella with curiosity and she cringed when the blonde woman put her cards down. “Ouch! Don’t be too hard on yourself though, Luella, it is your first time. Not everyone has beginners’ luck.” She took one more drink before setting her bottle on the table too and glancing up at Asemir’s handsome face.

Everything in her mind told her no, but the wine was starting to cloud her judgement and her body was telling her yes. She turned her body so she was almost facing Ase and reached up her right hand to cup his cheek. Cece turned his head and brought her lips to his in a gentle kiss.

Asemir Luella Balsinde

 

[Midir]

Midir returned her smile with one of his own, albeit only small and a little strained. Tonight of all nights his grip on his magic was at its thinnest and he was conscious he had already come close to letting it ride over him and take control. He released her hand with the promise made and took a step back for her own safety as well as that of the fae's within his immediate reach.

"I must excuse myself for the evening and bid you Goodnight. The Hunt was much more tiring this year than I anticipated. Please, stay and enjoy the rest of the festivities," with a formal bow he offered one last smile and then swept off towards the beckoning shadows just beyond the torchlight that lit the feast itself.

 

[Asemir]

“It looks about as shitty as my personality."

He cringed. Self deprecation was his thing, but that was a pretty shitty hand. "Mmm, some of them are variables, but it's a shitty hand. Better luck next time."

"Seat's yours if you want it," Tensa smiled, "thanks for playin'."

The wordless duanann at the table, Edeir, stood and bowed to them before taking his leave.

"Bye Edi," Pim waved, "nice to meet you Luella. I'm off to find food and foolish men."

"Baen, still got those cigars at home?" Tensa smiled.

"If you didn't snatch them last you were over, then yes," Baenon stood from his seat and looked around at the others, momentarily put-upon by a broadening grin on the sidhe's face. He sighed, "Yes, yes, if you must. Asemir if you-" but he blinked as he looked over to find that Asemir was apparently busy, rolled his eyes and waved it off, "nevermind."

The black shuck and sidhe took their leave.

Ase was about to bid farewell to Luella but found his lips occupied by Cece's. He blinked in surprise, brows disappearing into his hairline, and glanced to Balsinde with a silent wave instead. When Ceilidh broke from him she would find the man looking down at her in wary confusion. Damn this woman. What was all this about? He gently brushed hair from her face with one hand, head tilting in question, "What are you doing, Cece?"

 

[Vaer Nhimei]

He drank quite a bit before anyone said anything, and even then Vaer continued to lap from the bowl a little longer before lifting his long nose to peer down it at the person addressing him.

Not one person, but three. And three he’d never seen here before. The tall black dog took several long moments of silence to look over the three gentlemen, very different and yet very similar.

He felt the whimsy of whatever Favashi had given him finally taking effect.

“Politely, sirs, like many hounds here, I was a dog long before I was ever a person,” the black shuck answered, his voice just beginning to slur. “But if it is my tongue that offends you...”

Vaer shifted back to his humanoid form and swayed gently when he was only on two feet. Oh boy. When he no longer felt like he was going to fall down, he picked up the punch bowl and, rather unceremoniously, dumped it in the grass. Replacing the crystal bowl gently in its place, he fetched a napkin and wiped out the interior. As he withdrew, the bowl began to slowly refill itself. Vaer flourished and smiled drunkenly.

“Vaer Nhimei,” he said to the trio. “High Lord and Penance of the Wild Hunt. I don’t believe we’ve had the honor of meeting before. Please forgive my bad manners. I’ve… had a long night.” Vaer had dropped the napkin and waved toward Midir, a discontented frown replacing his previous grin.

• The Brothers Vitae •​

 

[Dianthe Cyrene]

Dianthe could see a struggle in his eyes, and she did not question Midir as he took his leave. She returned his formal bow with her own as he swiftly made his retreat.

"Until next time..Midir." She smiled to herself as she watched his departure for a moment. She turned to resume her path to the ley lines, passing Asemir and the woman kissing him. She pressed her hand to her mouth as a grin reached her lips and departed without saying anything to the occupied pair.

She shifted into her mountain lion form, and vanished into the magic of the ley, her home awaiting her return. Excitement in her belly as she anticipated meeting Midir again.

Midir

 

[The Brothers Vitae]

For a brief moment, murder shone in the three eyes that all gazed down at Vaer as booze soaked the grass below, undrunk and wasted. Thankfully, just before the full might of the vitae court's wrath was brought upon such a wasteful abuser of alcohol, the bowl refilled and the trio immediately softened, with Wulren even heaving the smallest of relief filled sighs.

"Rerreno of the Brother's Vitae," the golden one offered, a small laugh coming along with his words as tension diffused from amongst his brothers.

"Varos."

"Wulren. So you're who would be our boss nowadays," the larger one pondered, his silver eyes running over the shuck with an appraising look.

"Unless we ourselves took the mantle, or more likely retired," Varos continued, his hands already moving to pluck out a glass with which to pour himself a drink. "Or died."

"We left likely long before you were a twinkle in your father's eye," Wulren explained, joining his shadowy sibling in procuring a drink. "But we were indeed members of the hunt. Since then, we've left to chase our own endeavors."

"Don't worry too much about your manners," Rerreno allowed, rolling his eyes as he watched his brothers. "We've been removed from the politics of the courts for some time, so we might have our own deficiencies in that regard."

Vaer Nhimei

 

[Favashi]

"Well, well, well, who let the dogs out?"

Favashi had found a space amongst the mushrooms to make herself comfortable to watch the events of her own making unfold. It had been incredibly mortifying - and thus hilarious - for Vaer to be reduced to nothing more than a dog in the young fae's eyes. She was curious who the young redhead was to the fair autumn prince but from the look in Isiell's eyes she knew her Fury Sister would uncover the secret: she could be like a dog with a bone at times. She had been about to come over and gloat, naturally, over the fact Vaer had lost their 27th bet in a row when she had recognised the three brothers making their way to her old friend.

Now the party was growing interesting.

She'd slid through the crowds without a problem, her movements dancelike in the way her bare feet slid to avoid dancing couples or drinking buddies in her way. Her fingers trailed tantalisingly over Vaer's back but her eyes filled with curiosity were focused entirely on the three brothers.

"The last time I saw you three you were covered in blood and up to no good," her eyes flicked in amusement over their much neater attire. Back then it had been a different time for them all.

 

[Vaer Nhimei]

He must have been very drunk, because he thought he heard them introduce themselves as the Brothers Vitae. Vaer’s smile faltered and his brows rose. No, they were introducing themselves as the Brothers Vitae. The black shuck put a hand on the table to balance himself. Gods help him, he’d been sassy to the triumvirate of an independent Court.

They seemed amused, however. A saving grace. Vaer salvaged his surprise enough to smile again. It was all Vaer could do to keep the slurring to a minimum as he continued.

“Ah, I’m flattered, sirs, but I would hardly be your boss. I’ve heard tell of your time in the service of the Hunt, and I believe you would have far surpassed me if I had been alive at that time.” His modesty rang true, verified on his fae tongue.

Any attempts to stumble over any further apologies and niceties was spared thanks to Favashi’s timely appearance. Her voice lilted through the crowd behind her only a moment before her fingers brushed up his bare back. The High Lord flushed scarlet, his gray complexion blazing with rare color. He straightened and cleared his throat, his decorum and sobriety both degrading steadily the longer he stood here. Trouble, trouble.

 

[The Brothers Vitae]

"Lady Favashi, a pleasure to see you again," Rerreno greeted, lifting a drink to his lips. At their age, it was sometimes rare to meet those that knew them from before their miraculous acts. While as enjoyable as it was to have Vaer recognize their names, it was far better to have someone that knew them for what they were.

"Times have changed, my lady. Though, we have been known to chase a wild hare from time to time." Varos purred, his eyes shifting to the swaying shuck who's mistake seemed to be dawning on him in spectacular fashion. His fingers flexed on his glass, his nails becoming slightly more claw shaped. True, the shuck was in no danger of the trio, but the fox would be remiss if he didn't use the opportunity to enjoy himself.

"Some of us more than others," Rerreno sighed, his eyes shifting to his larger brother who was now chugging down his second glass of the punch, "Wulren, unless you hope your followers to add the epithet of 'Lord of Hedonism,' I suggest you slow down."

"Come on, Reno! Live a little!" The warrior thrust another glass into Vaer's hands then filled another for himself, standing firmly at the shuck's side. "Besides, imagine the prayers I'd hear and new places for my altars. A wolf head at every bar and tavern!"

"I don't think your prayers would change all that much. Lord Wulren, let my spear strike true. Lord Wulren, give me the strength to see it through. Lord Wulren, get this fucker off of m-" Varos was interrupted as Rerreno cleared his throat before motioning his head to the two that had joined them.

"Its been far too long, my dear. Has anything changed since we've been gone?"

Vaer Nhimei Favashi

 

[Favashi]

Delight laced the smile on Favashi's lips feeling Vaer tense and seeing the drunken flush on his cheeks. Instead of removing her hand she continued her leisurely caress up and down his spine as she carried on her conversation with the brothers as if nothing were out of the ordinary. For the Fury nothing really was. A lazy shrug rolled over her shoulders and with her empty hand she picked up a berry from the table they were gathering around and popped it in her mouth.

"Not as much as it should have," she sighed in disappointment. "And the large things I suspect you already know. I do not believe the three of you have been living the life of hermits for the past few centuries," her eyebrow cocked as if daring them to deny their eyes and ears throughout the Courts. The expression vanished to be replaced by one of her signature lazy smiles as she continued. "One thing that most certainly hasn't changed, my darling, is that they prefer their alters to carry my image instead of a wolfs," the fury of wars eyes gleamed with playfulness.