..﹗

( inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale... she kept chanting this pattern in her head, squeezing her eyes shut and trying to breathe, seeing nothing but black. her stomach gave an unfamiliar lurch, one almost painful when the plane lifted off from the ground. the only thing that tethered her to reality was his hand, holding hers,, and his voice. ) 

@pecplepleasrs   [ naturally, he wasn’t meant to be out of his seat as the plane ascended, but the rules didn’t concern him in that moment. with a swift, decisive motion, he unfastened his seatbelt and crossed the aisle, settling beside her without hesitation. his hand found hers, grounding her with his touch, while his other gently pulled her lower lip free from her nervous bite.
            his thumb brushed away the faint trace of blood, his brows knitting together in a rare expression of concern. ] just breathe. deep and slow.

( slowly,, she nodded, placing her gloved hands in her lap,, mentally counting backwards to help her regulate her breathing. the jet began to move faster and faster,, almost at take off, and she was clenching her hands so so tightly. she bit her lower lip hard enough to make it bleed as she stared at him with fear in her eyes. ) armand, i'm scared... ( she whispered. )

@corvusbld    there’s nothing left to repair, odette, [ he said, his voice steady yet tinged with a quiet resolve. ] your mother and i walked separate roads a long time ago, and those decisions cannot be undone. what’s past is irrevocable. [ his words carried the weight of experience, his tone reflective rather than harsh. ]

you’re the last person who should lecture me on ethics, daddy,   ( odette quipped, her lips curving into a mockingly sweet smile that vanished almost as quickly as it appeared. her eyes, a mirror of his own deep brown, betrayed the flicker of jealousy simmering beneath her defiant gaze. )   it’s half your fault that our lives turned out this way,   ( she added, her tone sharpening with an edge of bitterness. )   at least mother is making an effort to fix what’s broken.

@corvusbld    you made a fair point—it is our house. which is why, before inviting anyone, you should seek my permission. [ his brow arched slightly, the slight tension in his tone hinted at his disapproval, though he chose not to press further now that the invitation had already been extended. ] as for her staying here for a few days, [ he added firmly, ] don’t push for it. her husband wouldn’t be too fond of the idea, and frankly, i can’t say i blame him.

@pecplepleasrs    there’s a first time for everything, [ his gaze lingered on her, noting the subtle tension in her features. her uneasiness was clear but he wasn’t about to let that deter them. ]

( she never traveled, and it had nothing to do with money, but everything to do with the fact that she was afraid of flying, afraid of planes, afraid of small spaces and afraid of germs, all of which happened to be on an airplane. she smiled, grateful for the invitation. ) i would love to come with you... it's just.. i don't fly.

@pecplepleasrs   oh, you could say that, [ his voice carried a quiet authority, undercut by the faintest hint of amusement as his eyes settled on her, their intensity unyielding. ] but let’s not pretend you have the luxury of refusing. [ a slight curve of his lips betrayed his satisfaction as he straightened, his tone dropping lower. ] everything is already in place—the flight, the reservations, every detail seen to. the only thing left is for you to accept it, as we both know you will.

( finally getting into a more comfortable position in his lap, with both legs on either side of him, oriana obliged his subtle cues and slowly began gyrating her hips above his growing bulge, fully immersed in the moment, and the way his lips pressed hot kisses that blistered across her skin even after he moved to another spot. her movements only got more intense with every kiss he bestowed upon her skin, going lower. a small gasp slipped past her lips when he found her pulse point, her sweet spot, and she made this obvious with the way her hands dug into his shoulders, her grip tightening. a breathless giggle left her at his words, and she tilted her head back to give him more access, her eyes finding the spot where odette's room was supposed to be on the ceiling, and this only heightened the emotional rush she felt coursing through her with every forbidden signature his mouth left on her neck. ) 

@pecplepleasrs    there must have been a reason why god brought you into my life at this stage, [ he murmured, his tone thick with sarcasm as he adjusted himself, parting his legs slightly to provide her with the perfect angle to settle onto his lap. his left hand, steady yet filled with a deliberate urgency, began to lift the hem of her top, the fabric whispering against her skin until it reached just below her breasts, leaving her torso exposed to the cool air of the room. the fabric whispered against her skin, a soft rustle in the quiet room. ] i suppose he knew you couldn't handle my younger self .. [ his words seemed to dissolve into the air as he leaned forward, his head already tilted, and his mouth found the delicate skin of her earlobe, drawing it between his lips with a gentle suck. from there, his began trailing kisses down, each one a mark of his intent, traveling down the column of her neck. his lips were warm, pressing open-mouthed kisses as his tongue occasionally flicking out to taste her. his right hand, resting on her hip, began to guide her movements, rocking her back and forth in a slow, rhythmic dance that was both soothing and exhilarating,,setting a slow pace that seemed to sync with the rising and falling of their breaths. ]

( her lips parting to give his tongue entry, oriana slithered closer to him only too easily, from the armrest down to his lap, though she was careful to be very gentle, as if she were afraid her weight would be too much for him. even though she was wearing less than normal, her body was still very warm, like she had just come out from the embrace of a heated blanket. her lips were soft against his, and her lips moved against his so gently, yet full of desire and passion she held for him. she was made for him, a complete juxtaposition. she was the utter opposite to him, yet so very similar... her teeth gently grazed against his lower lip before she pulled away for air ever so slightly, lips just brushing against his. her hands moved down his chest ever so slowly, before moving back up to his shoulders. she was most definitely surprised at how strong and powerful he seemed when kissing her, how he steered control, how dominant he was. ) you sure do know how to make a woman lose control, for an old man... ( she whispered softly, lips skimming across his jaw. she had expected something more gentle from him, something very soft. her lips met his once more, and this time, oriana dove right in with more passion than before, letting herself fall into his being, surrendering herself to him physically, mentally and emotionally, because she knew he would catch her. )

@pecplepleasrs    [ her embrace came as a surprise, but his reaction was effortless, instinctive. his arm encircled her waist, pulling her firmly against his chest, the gesture protective yet possessive. his broad frame towered over her, and the weight of his chin resting atop her head felt grounding, his breath steady as he drew in the faint, lingering scent of her shampoo. it was a scent he would now associate with her; a detail etched into his sharp memory. lowering his head slightly, he pressed a deliberate kiss to her hair, the gesture lingering just long enough to convey an unspoken connection. his hand slid to the small of her back, fingers firm yet gentle, anchoring her there. ]   we’re done here,    [ he scanned the hall briefly, his hawklike gaze ensuring they were truly alone. the room had emptied, but his mind remained sharp, wary of any interruptions, especially the unpredictable appearance of his daughter. odette’s sudden presence was a possibility he could never entirely dismiss, and the thought was enough to make his hold on her tighten fractionally. ]   let’s go somewhere we can both breathe easier.

( she rushed to hug him tightly, the imprint of his tense, worried state had frightened her, it was engraved in her mind— seeing him like that had instilled a new fear in her, the fear of anything happening to him. her body was extremely warm in contrast to his, her arms wrapping around his waist and her ear pressing against his chest. she wasn't one to talk— she was more of a listener, more of an action-speaks-louder-than-words-person, and the best thing she could do right now was hug him tightly, conveying all the unspoken worry and care she held for him. )

@pecplepleasrs    [ he gave her a single nod, his expression unreadable as always, before turning on his heel to lead her toward the exit of the dungeon. his long strides were purposeful, his presence commanding even in the shadowy corridors. the urgency in her voice had not gone unnoticed. as they emerged into the main hall, the stillness struck him immediately. the space was eerily quiet, the usual murmurs of conversation and footsteps having long faded. ]

( their mixed saliva was smeared across her lips, along with her lipstick, but all she could focus on was his taste. still looking into his eyes with her softened green gaze, she licked her lips, tongue darting out to taste the remnants of their passionate encounter. )

@pecplepleasrs    [ the warmth of their shared breaths lingered, the faint taste of her still fresh on his lips as he pulled back, just enough to take her in fully. his hand in her hair softened, fingers easing through the strands before coming to rest gently at the back of her neck, a possessive yet tender claim. his other hand, firmly anchored at her waist. ]

( the thin, cool metal band of her mother's wedding ring on her fingers pressed into his skin when she moved her hand to hold his jaw, like he was fragile, like he needed to be taken care of, like he would shatter beneath her very fingertips. her tongue teased long, languid strokes against his bottom lip, and she was sure he could feel her lips smile against his. her one sharp canine stuck out slightly forward than the rest, pressing into his delicate skin when she sucked his bottom lip into her mouth. )

( she shook her head ,, tucking in the only one stray piece of hair that had escaped her claw clip. ) don't you want to get some rest? you look tired... ( as usual, there wasn't a single hair out of place, she looked like a mannequin; neat, and tidy. )

@pecplepleasrs    why?  is there something else on your agenda?  [ he asked, lifting his gaze from the meticulously arranged schedule that occupied his attention. his eyes met hers, an inquisitive glimmer shining through as he gauged her reaction. ]

( she didn't drink coffee, she couldn't handle the strong, american drink; she was english through and through, with her constant cups of tea. holding the cup of coffee, she made a mental note to toss it out, since he wouldn't drink it. ) i do hope you don't plan on coming in to work tomorrow, ( she remarked. she would have preferred he would have one more day of rest before coming to work ) 

@undyings /  sí

/ end here orr

@undyings    [ merlin knew how much he despised anyone daring to speak ill of his daughter, yet he could envision the relentless determination in her, clawing for the dark lord’s favor. his gaze hardened, the frustration carefully concealed behind his composed demeanor as he stated, ]   she won’t be present at any more of the meetings,

you truly don’t understand, do you?   ( she let out a low, biting laugh, rising from her seat with a quiet intensity, fingers wrapped so fiercely around the newspaper that it crumpled into a tight, twisted ball before she cast it aside like something worthless. her gaze, sharp and deliberate, locked onto his with an almost unnerving calm. )   my fate is not carved alongside the rest of yours. i won’t bow to a life beneath me, a destiny i don’t deserve. i deserve MORE —i deserve to be his equal.

@corvusbld    you scream all day about your superiority, as if sheer noise alone could bend this world to your will,,   [ to him, her fixation had always seemed like loyalty,, a fervent respect for the dark lord’s power. but now, as her words spilled forth, he could see the fevered glint in her eyes, something darker lurking beneath the surface, twisted into obsession. her hunger for power had become insatiable, an almost sickening craving to capture every ounce of the dark lord’s attention, each fragment of his strength. the realization weighed heavy on him: his own daughter was losing herself in this ambition, placing herself above even her own blood, as if she saw him now as merely a rung below her on this deluded ladder to glory. he would not allow this madness to go unchecked. his voice cut through her cries like a blade, sharp and unyielding, rising with an authority that demanded obedience, forcing her to still, if only for a moment. ]   but in the end, you will change nothing. i warned you from the beginning that this world doesn’t yield to games of vanity. it’s one where you need more than just ambition,, more than this senseless obsession.

look at me,   ( she exclaimed, her voice rising dangerously close to a scream, the desperation surging within her almost palpable. the veins in her neck stood out, pulsing with the fervor of her conviction. )   i’m the only worthy one in this cesspool of pathetic cowards masquerading as men! i’m everything you’ve never had the guts to be, everything those spineless fools have squandered for years!   ( her gaze bored into his, the veins in her neck vivid against her skin, throbbing with the fire that seared within. )   i am everything you could never be, everything they’ve failed to even imagine. do you hear me, father?  ..    no one can cast me aside. not him, not anyone.

@pecplepleasrs    [ with the phone ringing, armand shifted his focus back to the newspaper, the rustling of the pages the only sound accompanying the faint ringing in the distance. his brows knitted together as his eyes scanned the article, absorbing every word as if it held more importance than the moment around him. her voice, soft and barely a whisper in the background, was almost lost to him, drowned out by the intensity of his concentration. the world outside his thoughts seemed distant, her presence fading into a blur as he immersed himself in the printed lines before him. ]

( she cleared her throat slightly. she wanted to ask if he had ever been in love before, but she drew the line there, it was too personal a question, it was not professional. she was captivated by the knowledge he possessed, and she wouldn't mind listening to him speak all night. but she had work to do, and thank god, the phone suddenly rang and interrupted her thoughts, bringing them back to work. oriana took out a wipe, and put it in her hand, before picking up the phone, a barrier between the device and her skin, so she wouldn't be touching it directly. she held it away from her ear, so her ear didn't have to touch it either. ) mr. lestrange's office... 

@pecplepleasrs    a man knows that a woman dreams,   [ he glanced at her, catching the subtle trace of hope in her eyes. ]   it’s part of female nature, to seek out some grand story, some romance crafted like those in the books or the films.   [ there was no malice in his words, just a quiet understanding that came with his years of experience. ]    i can’t give you any rational data about how i solved love, no exact formula or analysis. and i certainly can’t spin you a tale of a passionate romance i’ve never had.    [ he said, as if concluding an unspoken thought,, ]   it isn’t something i can describe with logic or stories. unpredictable, uncontrollable, and rarely what you expect.