⠀⠀

                    ⌇  @xiaoliangs 
            thank   you! 

(  ..  )    indeed, there is. 

⠀    ⠀⠀ ⌇ HINT:      Lost  Glory. 

      ⠀ ⋆ ۪  @hellslyrics  ᥫ᭡.      i   do   not   favour   it,   actually.      [   the   words   left   her   in   a   low   murmur   of   breath.   two   maidservants   followed   closely   behind,   their   steps   clicking   lightly   on   the   marble   floor.   eve   tilted   her   head   back,   holding   the   lamp   higher,   the   flame   trembling   as the air shifted.   the   cathedral   hall   stretched   above,   immense   and   cold,   its   travertine   columns   lined   with   faded   gilding.   faint   incense   curled   upward,   ghosting   along   the   painted   ceilings,   where   mosaics   of   saints   and   martyrs   shared   space   with   scenes   of   roman   triumph,   telling   stories   of   empire   and   devotion   alike.   distant   chanting   drifted   through   the   arches,   echoed   by   walls   and   vaults,   a   low   murmur   of   voices   moving   unseen.   eve   felt   the   weight   of   it,   the   pride   and   devotion   mingling,   and   wished   the   temple   of   God   were   less   burdened   with   human   hand.   she   sighed,   soft,   and   turned   toward   the   prince,   her   fingers   still   gripping   the   lamp.   ]      has   your   search   come   to   an   end?   or   do   you   require   aid   in   egypt?   i   cannot   imagine   the   horrors..   in   such   a   desolate   place.

your brother..  [a furrow rose deep between her brows, a single arch of surprise tracing her features. sara took the basket of bread from the woman, her other hand pushing the door wider, silently bidding her to step inside. she closed the door with a soft thud, carrying the basket to the kitchen. the warm scent of the loaves stirred her stomach, and she coughed lightly to veil her hunger, as if even now it were improper to admit. out of all moments, her appetite chose this one to speak.]    would you care for some water?     [she reached for a glass, pouring warm water from the jug and sliding it across the counter. then she leaned against the surface, eyes tracing the woman’s movements with quiet intent.]     i am curious.. how did you divine that? i have not spoken a word. tell me.. who has whispered it to you?       [her voice bore a thin veil of doubt, laced with reflection. she could not be certain the woman spoke truth, for she knew few, if any, tied to the house of mizuhara.]

      ⠀ ⋆ ۪  @khiliasmos  ᥫ᭡.     [   her   cheeks   had   warmed   in   embarrassment,   a   faint   flush   rising   beneath   her   skin,   thus   quickly   she   reached   out,   offering   the   basket   of   freshly   baked   leavened   breads.   the   warmth   of   them   still   lingered   through   the   woven   reeds,   and   the   scent   of   grain   and   yeast   carried   softly   between   them.   her   fingers   tightened   slightly   along   the   rim,   as   though   anchoring   herself   to   the   offering.   she   stood   just   beyond   the   threshold,   not   daring   to   step   further   without   leave.   ]    i   come   in   peace.      [   eve   added,   her   voice   gentler   now,   though   a   quiet   urgency   pressed   beneath   it.   she   shifted   her   weight,   sandals   brushing   lightly   against   the   stone,   and   her   gaze   flickered   only   briefly   upward   before   lowering   once   more.   ]      and   in..   search   of   my   brother.   i   heard   he   was   last   seen   with   you,   and   i   dislike   to   intrude   upon   strangers.   but   uh..
            
            [   her   eyes   skirted   around,   avoiding   the   woman’s   gaze,   settling   instead   upon   the   quiet   space   around   them,   the   faint   hum   of life   in   the   building.   her   grip   on   the   basket   tightened   faintly,   as   if   bracing   for   an   answer.   ]      he   was   supposed   to   start   his   duties   soon.      [   her   voice   lowered   at   the   last   words,   a   quiet   unease   threading   through   her   tone.   her   shoulders   drew   in   slightly,   and   still   she   remained   where   she   stood,   waiting   for   the   woman   to   answer.   ]

      ⠀ ⋆ ۪  @EATSEYE  ᥫ᭡.      [   her   head   shook,   a   faint   crease   forming   between   her   brows.   she   cast   a   brief   glance   toward   the   distant   hall,   where   the   low   murmur   of   prayer   and   movement   carried   through   the   stone   corridors.   ]     the   ceremony   is   in   the   hall.   not   in   here,   shan’t   you   be   offering   your   prayers   there?       [   setting   the   freshly   baked   holy   loaf,   she   placed   it   carefully   upon   the   table,   the   warmth   of   it   still   rising   beneath   her   palms.   the   scent   of   bread   and   grain   lingered   softly   in   the   air.   she   withdrew   her   hands   slowly,   brushing   the   flour   from   her   fingertips   before   turning   to   face   the   woman   fully.   her   gaze   lingered,   thoughtful,   measuring   more   than   what   was   spoken.   ]        gaia,   is   it?   why   don’t   you   go   wash   your   hands,   and   come   have   a   seat   if   you   do   not   plan   to   feast   with   everyone   else   after   the   service   ends.       [   she   gestured   faintly   toward   the   basin   set   near   the   wall,   the   quiet   drip   of   water   echoing   in   the   room.   her   posture   eased,   though   a   quiet   watchfulness   remained   in   her   eyes,   as   if   awaiting   whether   the   woman   would   heed   her   words   or   linger   still.   ]

(  ..  )   hellooo, this is so cute. 

⠀ ⋆ ۪  @lyrirs  ᥫ᭡.          [   to   ease   the   tension   between   them,   she   forced   a   smile   and   swallowed   again,   the   metallic   tang   of   worry   on   her   tongue.   there   was   no   way   she   could   answer   him,   not   when   it   was   already   too   late   and   help   would   inevitably   arrive,   regardless   of   whether   he   liked   it   or   not.   it   was   only   a   matter   of   time,   but   by   then,   eve   figured   she   could   convince   him.   she   felt   the   faint   warmth   of   the   hearth   on   her   back,   the   soft   creak   of   floorboards,   and   the   chill   drifting   through   the   doorway   as   the   nun’s   voice   lingered   faintly   outside.   ]     the   priest—favours   you.     [   turning   to   face   him   fully,   she   hesitated,   and   gestured   for   him   to   take   a   seat.   the   chill   of   the   stone   beneath   the   chair   mingled   with   the   faint   scent   of   herbs   in   the   air,   and   the   voice   of   the   nun   carried   faintly   from   the   corridor.   ]     please,   have   a   seat.   make   yourself   comfortable,   i   must   attend   to   the   sister   afore   this..   discussion   can   continue.

⠀ ⋆ ۪  @lyrirs  ᥫ᭡.          [   the   iciness   in   his   voice   was   not   what   shattered   her.   twas   the   truth.   it   was   so   evident,   carved   right   out   of   his   mouth,   and   searing,   molten   gold   eyes   burned   with   shadows,   no   less.   eve   felt   torn.   no,   it   was   worse.   her   eyes   began   to   mist   because   the   sheer   nearness   of   him   made   her   crane   her   neck   up   to   meet   his   gaze.   then,   as   if   he   was   never   this   close,   she   watched   him   step   back.   a   deep   weight   settled   heavily   in   her   belly,   sorrow   making   her   throat   heavy   with   a   growing   lump.   yet,   she   pushed   it   down.   voices   and   steps   were   heard   in   the   hall,   their   echo   bouncing   off   the   stone   walls,   and   no   doubt,   she   was   certain   they’d   heard   the   rattling.   turning   her   back   to   him,   she   pressed   her   face   to   the   door   and   listened.   a   curse,   tho   not   ungodly,   flew   out   of   her   mouth,   and   she   quickly   gripped   the   door   at   the   sound   of   a   voice   calling   from   outside.   it   was   the   head   nun,   speaking   from   the   corridor,   ]
            
            i   shall   be   present   shortly!    [   eve   exhaled,   her   breath   fogging   slightly   in   the   cool   air   of   the   hallway,   and   her   hands   tightened   on   the   door.   she   allowed   the   sound   of   the   nun’s   voice   to   settle   her   nerves   for   a   moment.   ]    yes,   i   am   quite   alright.     [   she   turned   to   him,   noting   the   faint   flicker   of   candlelight   on   his   features,   the   subtle   tension   in   his   posture,   the   faint   dust   motes   rising   with   each   movement,   and   the   distant   echo   of   the   nun’s   voice   lingering   from   the   hall.   ]    how   long   has   it   been   since   you   showered   and   had   a   good   meal?

⠀ ⠀BY WHAT MEANS DO YOU DARE?    ⟮ HIS CHEST ROSE WITHIN A TIGHT BREATH, IT NETHER RESTED, NOT SETTLED PEACEFULLY. sverrir stepped forward completely consumed by the storm within. as one hand settled to grip the sword nestled by his hip, the other rose to slam against the barren old door, and dust set freely from the impact. the memory of betrayal burned in him too⎯⎯sold by rome to egypt, his honor stripped and bartered like a common coin.          why? he couldn’t bear to look at her without losing his temper. though, molten gold eyes burned with suffer flames, his lips moved once more, searing of barren rage. ⟯        the high priest will do nothing. i do not require the assistance of the one behind besieging my son. do you understand?       ⟮ the remnant of a father’s fury could not be contained nor extinguished, for it garnered, heralding through his thick, harsh voice. sverrir pulled himself back, clenching that same hand into a punishing fist. ⟯      tell your priest i will not be requiring their aid. and you will be quick about it this time.

       ⠀ ⋆ ۪  @ophthalmology  ᥫ᭡.          [   she   paused   only   to   beckon   the   young   woman   to   follow,   her   eyes   noting   the   flicker   of   shadows   along   the   walls,   the   scent   of   herbs   and   smoke   curling   through   the   air,   and   the   faint   rustle   of   cloth   as   the   lass   stepped   cautiously   after   her.   ]
            
            
             ⠀⠀        ⌇       oh   please   !!   i   find   yours   quite   the   thematic   one.   mine   is   nothing   in   comparison,   alas,   thank   you   for   being   so   sweet,   and   interacting   with   me.

       ⠀ ⋆ ۪  @ophthalmology  ᥫ᭡.          [   the   young   woman,   appearing   no   older   than   her   early   twenties,   or   so,   eve   thought,   was   far   too   young   to   be   thirty,   though   no   less   a   lass   for   all   that.   she   understood   the   panic   in   her   voice,   yet   a   trace   of   irritation   crept   into   her,   and   she   reached   back,   grasping   the   young   woman   by   the   wrist,   guiding   her   gently   out   of   the   way   while   the   wind   rattled   the   shutters   and   the   scent   of   damp   wood   filled   the   narrow   space.   ]       do   not   be   frightened,   your   brother   and   i   are   old   acquaintances,    [    she   said,  ]     it   shall   take   only   a   moment,   [   the   words   carrying   lightly   across   the   cool,   shadowed   room.   eve   drew   forth   a   key,   its   metal   cold   against   her   palm,   turning   it   slowly   in   the   aged   lock,   the   groan   of   the   mechanism   echoing   faintly   in   the   cottage.   she   shuffled   it   back   and   forth   until   it   snapped   open,   a   small   breath   of   wind   slipping   through   the   door   and   sending   a   chill   along   her   arms.   with   fevered   relief,   she   pushed   the   door   and   stepped   into   the   cottage,   the   wooden   floorboards   creaking   beneath   her   weight,   while   the   soft   warmth   of   the   hearth   spilled   faintly   upon   their   feet.  ]