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love me til death Vice Captain
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 Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2024 2:42 pm
Prompt: Ryo offers to tutor Nerys for dance after noticing her struggle but can these two anxiety-riddled adults make it through one dance without things heating up?
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Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2024 8:28 pm
 
"Ryo" "Bubby"
It was rare for Ryo to be so forward and ask Nerys if she needed assistance but he couldn’t help but notice her struggle. It was hard not to notice her in general, she was an act of pure beauty and grace in a place that seemed to have lost it. After their encounter in the games room, Ryo hoped she would return but she never did, Ryo faulted himself for poor timing but also due to his more forward companion; Bubby.
However, this time Bubby would not be in attendance. Ryo wanted to try talking to Nerys alone this time, it seemed so easy before but now he would be without his safety net. Things tended to go ary when Bubby wasn’t there but Nerys had told him that she preferred spending time with him. The only other people in his life that had specified that were his family or Altagracia but she didn’t count because still disliked him just not nearly as much as she despised his friend.
Ryo had never imagined himself to be so nervous, coming early to the Dance Hall ahead of time to set up, even borrowing records from his brother to help the two of them practice. It wasn’t the idea of tutoring someone that made him nervous but the idea of the two touching again that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. The last time was just a few seconds but he couldn’t help but think about it. He had gloves on his hands because he feared the feeling but what if that offended her? He hoped it wouldn’t but Ryo knew how it felt for someone to be repulsed by the idea of you and didn’t want her to feel that way.
It wasn’t the cold that shocked him, it was the spark that made him find himself peaking glances at her every now and then. Ryo didn’t know how to describe it but she intrigued him. Her kind eyes, soft voice, long dainty nails, everything about her was just captivating. Ryo couldn’t help himself but find himself melting at the mere thought.
Nerys had requested Ryo come and pick her up from her dorm. It was rather humbling to think of Utopia as large when he had a whole kingdom to rule but it was all about perspective. He thought about offering to walk her around but didn’t want to get ahead of himself, the prince was already thankful enough she wasn’t offended by his offer of dance lessons. It wasn’t even that she was terrible, her body moved fine but it seemed like it was the language or knowledge she lacked. Not uncommon for those new to royalty, Ryo imagined he would be the same way or worse if he was in her shoes.
Finding her door was easy enough, the doors were numerical after all. Much better organized than some castles he had visited but he could see how one might view it as more of a maze. Ryo had even heard Utopia had one of those but had yet to visit. Walking to the Dance Hall Ryo struggled to come up with ideas for conversation. " Thank you once again for working with me Lady Nerys." Did Nerys know how intimidating she was to him or was she blissfully unaware?
" It’s a pleasure to have your company again for the evening. Bubby and I must keep missing you in the games room." His face was feeling hot and they hadn’t even made it to the dancing part of the night yet. Ryo wasn’t sure what his plan was but he just wanted an excuse to see her again. Plus, seeing her struggle was hard for him, it took every ounce of courage he had to ask if she wanted help, he was just glad she was willing to accept it. If he had asked most people he was sure they would take offense which was not his intention. It was nice to talk to someone who saw the good intent behind his words and didn’t look at him like some monster.
OOC:
Wearing: x
Thoughts: Nerves, Nerves, Nerves
Location: Dance Hall
With: Nerys
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love me til death Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2024 8:32 pm
   He had actually come. Despite everything, she was now walking through the halls with Ryo. Yes, technically he had seen her poor performance in dance class. How very like her feet to not listen to her. Most days instead of dancing she was stepping on her partner's toes or tripping over herself. Most embarrassingly, Ryo had noticed. Yet instead of giving up on her immediately he offered to help her. To teach her. Who was she to decline such a generous offer?
Even less fortunately, her ladies maids had decided this was a date. Nerys had tried to insist this was very much not a date, but it fell on deaf ears. Instead they'd dressed her to their tastes for the evening, leaving too much of her back exposed. The false duchess had tried to protest. It had not changed anything. The worst of it had healed. It had been a month, after all. Even the freshest bruises had passed through their ghastly yellow phase before fading altogether. The problem were the fresh angry, red scars that still lined her back from her time at home. The thin, faded whip lines from her childhood she could excuse being visible. They were so faint, after all, they were barely noticeable. And gods above how she didn't want him to notice.
The knock at her door had come all too soon when she was trying to find a solution, forcing a thin but opaque wrap over her shoulders. One that she was tugging ever tighter around herself as the walked. The nerves were too great. What was Nerys to do if she stepped on his toes? Ryo's voice cut through the war in her mind, leaving a warmth within her. "The pleasure is all mine, My Lord." If only he knew how much.
His mention of Bubby and the games room had her looking away, embarrassed. "I am sorry to say you haven't been." Her voice felt small. While she knew it was better to be honest with him, that didn't make admitting her flaws any easier. "I tried, Lord Ryo. To find the room again. But I had only managed to find it by chance the day you taught me chess." As the dance hall came into view before them, she couldn't help but glance up to him. Nerys wanted to gauge Ryo's reaction to what she was saying. "The reason I requested you escort me this evening was... Well, I struggle to find things on my own." Her cheeks felt too tight. Too warm. She knew her embarrassment was tangible and he would need only look at her to see it.
Part of her was excited as she passed through the doors with him. Most of her was nervous. While she knew the wrap would need to go sometime soon, it almost felt like a security blanket in the moment. The loss of him by her side was felt. Yet she didn't have anything to make him stay, not when he was just setting up whatever it was they needed to make music. Or would they dance to silence? While Nerys had heard of music boxes that could play the sounds of an orchestra, she'd never personally gotten to see one. Maybe that was why she jumped ever so slightly when the silly black disc he'd slipped into the machine made noise.
Wide blue eyes met Ryo's dark, tired gaze as he approached. "I wanted to thank you. For teaching me chess. For tonight." For being here. The last sentiment got stuck, lodging in her throat as he came to stand before her.
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dance hall ❅ ryo ❅ outfit
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 3:27 pm
"Ryo" "Bubby"
Why was it that Ryo felt like his body was in danger when he was supposed to be happy? The idea of Nerys being lost, trying to find him, his heart was racing more than ever. It felt like his body was going into overdrive, he couldn’t stand it. This feeling was something he hadn’t imagined himself feeling before, the urge to hold someone and comfort them. Ryo wasn’t much of a hugger so why? There weren’t words to explain it, he couldn't understand this feeling.
Had he known about Nerys’ lack of direction he would have offered to take her. It wasn’t like she was a chore to hang out with like most people here. Her polite mannerisms and kind eyes were impossible to say no to. He almost wanted to shake her he was so upset but he knew that wasn’t right. Instead, he chose to focus on what music to play while he thought frustratedly to himself about how he could help her. He knew that Utopia was rather large but the idea of one of its students wandering around lost most days and no one doing anything was beyond upsetting. " The whole purpose of this place is to symbolize unity, how are we doing that if we let others fall behind? Especially someone as lovely as… her" He thought to himself as he looked back to Nerys.
" You don’t need to thank me Lady Nerys, as I said before, the pleasure was and is all mine," a soft, tired smile formed on his lips formed as he looked at her more before officially selecting a disc. The Ghost Waltz was one that he was all too familiar with being from Siscia but it was rather difficult as partners had to just barely touch each other. It was hard for the gentlemen to lead as they couldn’t firmly touch their partner but it made it all the more fun to master. Plus, Ryo was still scared to admit the idea of touching Nerys once again intimidated him, the sparks he felt the last time still gave him butterflies if he thought too long about it.
The soft gentle music started to pile out of the player as Ryo returned to Nerys, adjusting his gloves once again. " Today I thought we could practice the Ghost Waltz a bit more if that’s okay with you. I’ll do my best to lead and you just have to follow if you wish my lady," That was too close. Realizing at the end he had almost made a command. The worst thing he could imagine doing was asking something of her, using his powers to manipulate another, the idea sickened him. It wasn’t like he hadn’t done it before, but his reason for being here had changed since the war. He had changed.
Offering his hand out to her, he couldn’t help but notice the shawl still on her back. Often Ryo had seen others offer to remove the coats of their beloved before engaging in dance, but this wasn’t his beloved. His beloved was probably off stalking his brother somewhere. Still, it felt like this might have been a test in itself. " If you would like I can take your shawl for you my lady." he looked more at the wrap itself, hiding the beautiful, puffed sleeves below.
Realizing how his words may have sounded, Ryo’s face started to flush as his intention was not to seem like he was intending to undress her. He pulled his hand slightly back, " I’m sorry I didn’t mean- I just meant if you wanted me to I could." If this was a test of etiquette he knew he was failing, it was times like this he wondered what his brother would do but the thought of that made him quake slightly.
OOC:
Wearing: x
Thoughts: Nerves, Nerves, Nerves
Location: Dance Hall
With: Nerys
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love me til death Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 8:02 pm
The time had come. While she had known they couldn't dance while she was wearing it, the idea of surrendering the one item that was preventing him from learning of her background was more daunting now that it was here. Her grip tightened on the fabric for only a moment, before Nerys forced her hand to relax and she pulled the shawl from her shoulders. Her only solace in this moment was that he still couldn't see her back at this angle.
"Oh! My sincere thanks. You are too kind." Offering the thin fabric to him, she struggled to meet his gaze. Not when her heart was hammering in her chest two-fold. Taking her shawl was beneath him. Prince or duke, she was still just Nerys. A common woman. A lady of the night. Expendable little Nerys who had been sent to Utopia for her brother's amusement. Yet, the other reason her heart was pounding was because all of this was so nice. There were few in her life who treated her with the same level of kindness and respect. Even fewer who expected nothing in exchange or who didn't see her as some kind of object to keep.
When he finished setting her shawl aside, she finally raised her eyes to watch his back. Feeling her heart thump, there was truly little let to lose in this moment. Surely any moment she would be exposed. The fraud, the imposter. While no part of her wanted to watch Ryo's warm gaze turn cold there was also little point in dragging things out too much longer. "I do truly enjoy your company, Lord Ryo." Dropping her eyes down to her hands, which had begun fidgeting in front of her belly, she couldn't help the small, forlorn smile that crossed her face. It is a shame I won't have it past this day.
There was little else left to do. As Ryo approached once more, she met his gaze. Then she stepped into him. "The Ghost Waltz is perfectly fine with me," Pausing, she couldn't help but feel awkward. This was a dance they had covered in class before. The name was familiar as it rang around in her mind. The steps? They were an enigma as she stood before him trying to recall the first thing about the dance. How was she supposed to hold her hands for this dance again? Would his hands rest on her back? Oh goodness, she felt so lost and they hadn't even begun yet. "I do hope you forgive me for not remembering how the dance starts. Would you mind showing me, Lord Ryo?"
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dance hall ❅ ryo ❅ outfit
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Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2024 4:15 pm
"Ryo" "Bubby"
Thankfully, Nerys was too kind of her own good only assuming the kindness of intentions from the prince. Most would assume nothing but negativity stemming from the puppet master but she was above all that. She perfectly embodied what Utopia was supposed to be, people coming together to join hands in peace. Ryo had noticed the tensions bubbling between nations, including the tension between himself and his fiance but was still hopeful that after the hiccups, Utopia would work and countries could start thriving once again.
Holding the shawl in his hands, he wondered what the material felt like. It seemed rather lacy and delicate much like the lady herself but Ryo didn’t want to tease himself with thoughts like that, especially when Nerys was nothing more than an acquaintance humoring the beast. A girl of her beauty and kindness, he was lucky to get this time with her. Still, when she spoke of enjoying being around him, he couldn’t help but smile. It felt like his heart was beating so rapidly she was sure to know his nervousness.
" I-i feel the same way about you Lady Nerys."Ryo felt like his face was turning so red, that he could barely face her, especially given how magical she looked. Did she always dress this way or was she seeing someone later tonight? A gown like this felt like something you would wear for a date, not that Ryo knew much about those. But he wasn’t going to complain, her heels made it easier for him to reach her and the dress was beautiful now that he could see it fully, well with the exception of her hands hiding some of it. But Ryo chalked that up to her being chilly in the room and needing to keep her hands close to her.
Taking a deep breath as she stepped closer to him, Ryo attempted to bring himself back to reality and step closer to her as well. The Ghost Waltz was something that he was familiar with given that it had originated from Siscia but also the movements were rather repetitive once they were mastered. " I just have to focus on the steps and I can make it through," Ryo thought to himself, nodding slightly as he prepared himself on where to go next.
" The Ghost Waltz is pretty simple once you know the basic steps but perhaps we should work on posture first if that’s alright with you." Ryo tried his best to sound professional as he looked over at the lady. " Your feet should be about a shoulder length apart, and your shoulders are back and y-your chest is h-held high." Starting to feel himself lose it he took a deep breath and demonstrated what he was looking for, slightly puffing out his chest. Waiting a moment for her to mirror him, he smiled at her attempt, " Yes, and then your hands are like this," He spoke, grabbing her right hand and puppetting it to be more stretched out before the shock of electricity took hold of him. Even through the gloves, he could feel her cold chill and it was enough to send shivers throughout his entire body.
Quickly retracting his fingers from hers before they could lace together, he tried to collect himself, " Um, yes. Just like that Lady Nerys. And then you just follow my lead, like a ghost." This was his time to tell her about their hands not touching but he wanted them to touch again, already disappointed about feeling the heat return to his hands. Ryo knew it was wrong to mislead her, especially when she was already offering himself such kindness. It was better to be honest with her, given how kind she was Ryo figured she was sure to understand. " My apologies, normally the fun part of this dance is the idea of the dancers never actually touching but perhaps we should practice a few times beforehand if that's all right with you." He explained, hopeful she wouldn't assume the worst of him but knew his motives were tainted.
OOC:
Wearing: x
Thoughts: Nerves, Nerves, Nerves
Location: Dance Hall
With: Nerys
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love me til death Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2024 9:26 pm
The reassurance that he enjoyed her company was nice to hear, yet it didn't fully settle her beating heart. Every moment between them was echoed in the thumping of her heart as she waited for his opinion of her to take a painful turn. For what noble would want to dance with a glorified slave? Ryo was so far out of her league, even as a friend. The moment his hands touched her back he would know it, for who would whip a duchess?
Waiting for his reaction was killing her. Yet she wanted to savor these last sweet moments together. Following his demonstration, Nerys stood before him with her chest puffed out. His praise followed by the touch of his hand made her heart and stomach flutter in time with each other. Only to be replaced with dread as he quickly snatched his hand away. "I'm so sorry Lord Ryo, am I dropping the temperature too much?" It wouldn't be surprising if she was. That was one of the worst things about having emotion based powers. Needing to calm down, she closed her eyes and tried to ignore the sharp sting of rejection that had come with his hand pulling away.
Then he offered the rest of his explanation. Would... Would that mean he would never touch her scars? Part of her was hoping that was exactly what he meant, relief melting her heart ever so slightly. Yes, it was still possible for him to see her scars on a turn. Seeing did not offer insults as bad as touching, and she was sure she could suffer the disappointment of his reaction better should it just be on sight alone. But then he offered to practice before not touching? Ryo couldn't possibly mean... Her eyes fluttered open, finding his dark gaze as she processed his proposal. "Forgive me," Breaking from the posture he had guided her into, her arms wrapped around herself as a sort of shield from his reply. "I fear I cannot be understanding you correctly. You wish to practice by touching me?"
Realizing how the words had tumbled out of her mouth, her eyes widened. "No, My Lord!" Dipping into an apologetic curtsy, it took everything in herself not to cover her traitorous mouth with her hands as they returned to their crossed position over her chest. "I only meant that I didn't think you would want to. Please, I beg you not to misunderstand." One of her arms unfolded from in front of her chest, reaching out to him before frustration closed her outstretched hand into a fist before she could touch him in reassurance. Slowly, she brought it back to wrap around her chest giving the arm that had stayed there a small, disappointed tap with her fist. Nerys was beneath him. Ryo was the last man who deserved the indignity of a commoner touching him first.
Shame pumped through her heart in place of her blood, mingling ever so unpleasantly with the fear that had sat curled in her stomach since the maids had dressed her. This had been the man who had kindly offered to help her and here Nerys was doing nothing but clumsily stumbling into insulting him. Her eyes cast downwards, feeling the heat pooling in her cheeks as she braced herself to admit the truth to him. "Believe me when I say, Lord Ryo, that you are offering a fairy tale I cannot imagine deserving." Her hands were trembling as she unwrapped them from her middle, taking the position he'd shown her back up with the hope he would step into her as she spoke. "I consider myself lucky that you offered to help someone like me. I would be honored to practice with you whatever way you believe is best, My Lord."
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dance hall ❅ ryo ❅ outfit
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Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2025 8:08 pm
"Ryo" "Bubby"
Panic felt like too short of a word to describe the feelings swirling around Ryo's head and heart as she seemingly questioned his motives. She had every reason to, he was swirling with impure intent just longing for an excuse to feel the coldness of her skin once more. Of course, she was just entertaining him, there wasn’t any need for him to keep pretending there was anything more to this than just him tutoring her. His feelings mattered little anyway as he was to be engaged, the idea this could be anything else was traitorous to Atlagracia. Even though he loathed the idea of being with her the least he could do was remain faithful to her.
But just as quick as he was to dismiss his own feelings she instilled the slightless bit of hope that there might be something there. Unable to hide the joy in his face he let out a small laugh of relief, " I assure you, that was not my intention at all Miss." Attempting to show a gesture of good fate he removed his gloves and tossed them into the corner ready to touch her once again with no barrier between them this time as she reached out her hand to him. But before he could she retracted it causing a small string of pain in his heart.
Thankfully before his mind could start to tornado once again she was quick to explain herself. It didn’t make much sense to him seeing as she was royalty just like him. Surely she was far more deserving of a fairytale than most of the power-hungry duchies and with her looks, she was likely to have many suitors begging for her hand. It was he that was not deserving of her time, the beast that couldn’t be bothered to communicate with most people but Nerys had proved that she was worth much more than that. That didn’t stop the blood from rushing to his head though.
Feeling flustered, Ryo attempted to adjust his posture to approach the maiden once more. " Well, I don’t think that’s fair to you at all. I know that in my kingdom a beautiful maiden with such manners is coveted more than some lament duchess." His face was redder than before as he could not believe the words he had said. Ready to begin anew with her once more he prepared for the sparks as their fingers touched. It didn’t matter how she felt Ryo knew how he felt and he refused to let her berate herself.
" Yes, just like that. And then you just follow my steps until it is time for the turn." The cold felt less frightful as he focused more on leading the girl around the ballroom. It felt like his heart was singing with how loud it pounded but he tried to quell it by squeezing the girl’s hand in anticipation. Unwilling to let her go for fear his mind might sail away to the moon once the feeling returned to his hands he only let go of one hand preparing her to spin, " It’s time," his voice was quiet, almost a whisper to be unheard with the music that roamed the hall.
Watching her spin for him it felt as though time had come to a full stop. Ryo hoped she was enjoying herself as much as he was but doubted it given how anxious she was to begin. As she turned her back Ryo noticed marks lined around her back and felt his fury start to get the best of him, the record player screeched as it came to a harsh stop due to his inability to stop his rage. There was no way lines like that could have remained for such a time without it being a sign of brutal mistreatment, but why? Ryo feared he knew the answer already. It wasn’t uncommon for other nations to take on slaves and given her nobility it was likely she was a token used for a treaty between two nations.
The hand still holding Nerys’ hand gripped her tighter, halting her from spinning anymore. This would surely sour any sense of harmony between the two but Ryo couldn’t stomach ignore it. Trying to remain as calm as he could he released his grip on her and sighed, " I apologize but I just- y-your back. I-i can’t imagine someone wanting to hurt you." Knowing the answer already he tightened the fists at his sides, prepared to hit a wall as the chandelier above them started to tremble, " Why?"
OOC:
Wearing: x
Thoughts: rage, rage, ******** rage.
Location: Dance Hall
With: Nerys
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love me til death Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2025 7:34 pm
The problem with being so close to someone was that you could see every detail. Ryo was handsome, but very clearly tired. The dark circles under his eyes were enough to make Nerys worry. Was this another chore in his day? Yet as soon as the thought crossed her mind, he was quick to brush it away. The thought that he would see her as beautiful, as something to be desired warmed her. Yet that warmth didn't feel like it should belong to her. Not when every step felt like she was lying to him.
A small squeeze to her hand brought her eyes back up to Ryo's, noticing the red that had bloomed on his cheeks. Had he been enjoying this as much as she had? The thought turned to ash as his quiet voice barely filtered through the music to her. "It’s time." Funny how two simple words could make her stomach drop so easily. Yet it did not stop her. She'd spent the better part of the last hour trying to prepare for this moment. All she could do was step into the turn and close her eyes, as if she were leaping off of a building.
On cue the record scratched before completely stopping. It felt as if the music could read the room, the dark humor behind the thought bringing her little comfort. The hand still holding hers tightened, forcing her to stop before completing the full spin. Something she was grateful for, unsure if she could stomach seeing his face in this moment. It felt as if every line on her back was another piece of her past that he could see, yet she stood there as if displaying them to Ryo as his voice stammered out a question she hadn't expected.
Slowly, quietly Nerys turned her head to meet his dark eyes. The anger on his face made her shrink, wrapping her arms around herself before glancing down at the floor. "I'm sorry for d-deceiving you, My Lord." Swallowing thickly, she was trying to brace herself for any pain he could inflict on her in the moment. Brace herself against knowing that after today he would want nothing to do with her. It was a pity, really. Learning chess had been so fun. Fun enough that it had let her hope to learn more games from Ryo in the future. She could feel frost swirling on her fingers, but was fighting her powers. It was always worse when she froze.
"I was not born nobility." Her voice was quiet, so much so that if the music had still been playing it would have been swallowed up in the sound. The stillness of the room made it ring out louder than it had actually been spoken, the truth swirling between them as she tried to determine how much she could tell him without suffering for it later if Aneirin found out. No. When he found out. "M-my brother he... he won a station in the war. He..." There was a tremble in her body. One that was slowly invading her voice. "As a child, a commoner, I was sold My Lord. When I was returned to him I was," She paused, struggling to find the right words without offending the man before her. "Less valuable."
The implications of her explanation didn't need to be said out loud. Ryo was a smart man. A smart and kind man who was worth so much more than she could give him. Pressing her lips together she cast her blue eyes to the ground before continuing. "It's why I cannot touch you, My Lord. It's beneath my station." For no, she could not touch him. But he could touch her.
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dance hall ❅ ryo ❅ outfit
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Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2025 5:10 pm
"Ryo" "Bubby"
Just how far had Ryo misled her to make her believe that Ryo would care about any act of deceit? It was the marks on her back that he cared about. The prince had been working on his anger, but he had not prepared for such triggers like this. If it was just a simple misunderstanding he could have just let it drop but this wasn’t the case and her reaction just sealed his fate. He desperately wanted to be the calm and collected prince Nerys made him out to be but that was over now.
The rage was so palpable Ryo could feel the objects around him all start to shake. Her words were so quiet versus the voices in his head telling him to let go. His eyes began darting around the room trying to find something he could focus on instead of feeling this anger swirling around his head and heart. Instead, he tuned back to hear the sad girl’s words, " Less… Valuable?" He regretted speaking almost immediately as the ceiling started shaking more violently as he spoke. The lights started to flicker as his mind started spiraling once more.
Not only did she think that Ryo was shallow and only cared about status but that she had been taken by another nation and used as their toy. Ryo hated the thought because he always had taken care of his toys but others, clearly didn’t know how. As much as he wanted to rewind history, he could not. There was nothing he could do to control the situation letting himself fall into his emotions, closing his eyes, and closing his fist in an attempt to focus on anything else but failing.
All he could think about today was touching her and come to hear his intentions were something she was used to sadden him. He was disappointed in himself for thinking this was anything more than her humoring him. More disappointingly, he selfishly wanted to believe that he was different, that he was wrong and she did enjoy spending time with him. But he couldn’t justify it. Not when she was laying it out so plainly in front of him, had someone paid her to visit him that night in the game room? Ryo hoped not but how could he know?
"N-Nerys get back!”" He attempted to call out but it was too late. With a sudden, sharp crack, the chandelier began to tremble. The glass parts seemed to come alive, vibrating before they splintered. A series of small pops and a deafening crash followed as the pieces of crystal tumbled from their mountings. The next moments went back faster than Ryo could connect suddenly pushing the blue-haired woman to the floor and attempting to shield her with his body.
Some glass splinters hit his back, but what hurt more was thinking about how Ryo had permanently fractured his relationship with Nerys. He looked down at the girl, embarrassed and frustrated by his actions. It was foolish to think that he could have been anything more than a monster. Holding her wrist in his hands, he could feel the cold chill of her touch against his fingertips and hated how welcoming it was, "Lady Nerys, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to cause you any harm. Just thinking about how low you must see me made me so upset. But I understand if you no longer wish to keep me company." he sighed as he avoided looking at the girl’s face for fear of what terrible looks she might give him.
OOC:
Wearing: x
Thoughts: rage, rage, ******** rage.
Location: Dance Hall
With: Nerys
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love me til death Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2025 7:08 pm
There was a silence that hung between them after she explained herself. One filled with anger. Nerys found herself unable to look at the prince. Guilt was a fickle mistress and it was eating her alive to know that she had lead on his misconception that she was some prim and proper lady.
Rattling was coming from overhead, mingling with the flickering lights. For a moment, she wondered what his power was. A breath later she was regretting that curiosity. Nerys didn't want to know simply because she didn't want it used against her. The powers of men were always used against her. And it was always so deserved. Lying to nobility was a crime, and for this deep transgression she needed to be punished. Yet, why was it so hard to steel her heart against what she knew needed to come. Lord Ryo was a gentle man, his punishments would be far less severe than Aneirin's.
"N-Nerys get back!”"
Ryo's shout snapped her out of her head, forcing wide eyes to search for him. It was too late. A sick crack rang out above them, crystal and glass vibrating loudly before beginning to shower down around her. While Nerys could not feel the cold, she knew the temperature of the room was dropping rapidly. Frost swirled up her arms, but before she could freeze Ryo's body was pressing into her. She was being pushed. Down, down to the floor where... ? Where what? It was all happening so fast she didn't understand what was happening. Why he would drop down to the floor with her. "I'm so sorr-"
The words froze in her throat as her ice encased her.
Her body had frozen under the nobleman's, eyes wide and open as she stared up at him. Her form was crumpled, frozen in the crouch he had protected her in. Confusion was etched into her features as her mouth was set into an unspoken apology. When he continued, apologizing to her like she was worthy of such a thing, Nerys was able to see every emotion that flickered over Ryo's face. Regret. Shame. It made her heart crack for him, knowing that he was feeling bad enough about this that he would blame himself instead of her. Like she hadn't upset him with her lies. Like she hadn't deceived him in the first place.
All she had done was cause this with her selfishness. Nerys had been the one who wanted to spend time with him. And now she couldn't even console the kind soul before her. Who knew how long it would take her to defrost. Five minutes? And hour? Either were possible. By then he would likely be long gone. Done with the deceptive ice duchess who had done everything but lie to him outright.
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dance hall ❅ ryo ❅ outfit
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Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2025 5:26 pm
"Ryo" "Bubby"
Realizing the cold chill was hitting more than just Ryo’s fingertips he feared what he had done. Given that Nerys had stopped speaking he was sure that once he looked down he would see a fear-stricken woman below him but instead, Nerys was completely encased in ice. His wrists were free but it felt like he was freezing with her as he was so devastated by what he had done. Losing control of his powers had caused her to have to use hers to protect herself.
All of Ryo’s worst thoughts were coming true, he never wanted her to fear him but it was clear that was now the case and there was no fixing that. It never mattered anyway as he was kidding himself thinking that someone as lovely as Nerys would ever be interested in him but the idea of someone liking him for all of his shortcomings was such a misguided wish he never should have entertained it. It was better if he just kept to himself and focused on what mattered, keeping his family and country safe. Instead, he tried feeling and it ended with him hurting the person he cared about.
Adjusting his position over the frozen girl he looked to see what he could do for her before running to the nearest doctor. " Miss Nerys, I’m so sorry I didn’t mean for you to- I just. Never mind." Releasing a sigh, he loosened his grip on the girl’s wrist. Did he think that talking to her was going to help at all? It was unlikely that she could hear him in such a state. It was better for him to just wait for her to safely come out again and apologize appropriately. But how could he explain his outrage? Especially when he never meant for it to be targeted at her to begin with.
Her face while scared, looked like a beautiful diamond while the ice only emphasized her soft features. Ryo moved to the side of her so he was no longer on top of her and instead touched her cold body, surprised the chill didn’t cause him to freeze along with her. Even though he was sure she couldn’t hear a word he said he still found himself confessing his sins to her. " My lady, this wasn’t how I wanted this night to go at all. I don’t know what I wanted except that I just wanted to be closer to you as pathetic as that sounds." His fingers brushed against her face hoping his body heat might be enough to help her start to thaw.
Ryo knew his feelings weren’t fair considering his engagement to Altagracia and would have never acted on them but if she was asleep in this state it helped him feel like he was finally able to confess his sins to someone other than his brother. While Clint was a good listener, he also didn’t help with Ryo not wanting to act on his urges. " I promise I never intended to do anything. I’m engaged and while I know her heart belongs to another I can’t betray her…" His voice started to trail off as he thought about how cruel and twisted his reality was. He had signed onto an engagement himself before he was an adult in order to help make sure his mother didn’t go to prison for killing his father. A forever engagement that he hoped would never be consummated but as time moved forward it appeared the only way the engagement would end was if he passed or they wed much to the displeasure of both of them.
OOC:
Wearing: x
Thoughts:
Location: Dance Hall
With: Nerys
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love me til death Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2025 5:56 pm
"Miss Nerys, I’m so sorry I didn’t mean for you to- I just. Never mind."
He was looking at her like she was horribly, horribly broken. Like he would pick up all of the pieces if he could and glue them back together. He adjusted himself over her, looking down at her face now that he wasn't in the same protective position he had taken over her. "My lady, this wasn’t how I wanted this night to go at all. I don’t know what I wanted except that I just wanted to be closer to you as pathetic as that sounds." Her heart cursed that she could not feel the comforting brush of his fingers across her cheek as he spoke. "I promise I never intended to do anything. I’m engaged and while I know her heart belongs to another I can’t betray her…" Hearing him say as much was hard. But it also made so much sense. There wasn't any way that someone as good and whose company was so pleasant wouldn't be engaged. Even if a small part of her heart wished Nerys herself was truly of noble blood so that she could be his fiance.
If she could, Nerys would suck in a large breath. She would cup Ryo's cheeks to force him to look her in the eyes. She would reassure him that he had not done some terrible thing. Or... Maybe he had. It was hard to say how his powers worked. But it had not been done intentionally from what she could tell, and that was enough for her not to blame him for the chandelier coming down over them. Unfortunately, that didn't stop her from scaring easily. If she could, she would hold him still and make him listen as she explained that it was okay. That if anything she wanted to cry for his misfortune.
Unfortunately, she could do none of those things. Not when she was still ice.
Not for the first time frustration lanced through her petrified form. So often people would become disarmed by her armor. It was like she was a statue, one that was easier to talk to than a person would be. One that people would explain their problems to, not realizing that she could hear them. This wasn't something she necessarily minded on the surface. Helping people in some small way was nice, being able to offer them an ounce of relief for the trouble her power caused. No, it wasn't the act of the confession that was upsetting her. It was her complete inability to respond.
Ryo's small speech was enough to make the tidal wave of fear rescind. All that was left in it's wake was the desire to comfort him. Especially when he so clearly needed it. There was so much more in his expression that he wasn't saying. Not that it was her business, but it left the silence between them heavy when she wasn't able to respond. Only the sound of his breath filling that space.
It was hard to say how long they sat like that. Time became hard to tell when Nerys was encased in ice. But before long her pinky was twitching. The magic was dissipating, and thank the gods that the process of thawing was just as quick as the process of freezing. Her hand flew up, catching the fingers that were still brushing her cheek and holding them there. The fact that he was touching her was enough permission for her to act.
"My Lord," Her voice was quiet, a small quaver in it as she was coming out of her ice. As she did so, her eyes fluttered closed and she found herself absently nuzzling into his hand. "Please, I beg you, do not blame yourself for my freezing. I... I am easily startled." A small well of shame was trickling through her heart as she considered continuing, her eyes being closed the only thing that gave her the courage. "I have no control. Even the smallest thread of fear can trigger my power."
The admission felt shameful. So much so that it was hard to convince herself to open her eyes. Somehow she did, finding his grey eyes easily. "While I... I don't believe I have the right to say anything about your engagement My Lord, I wanted the same out of this night. I -" She hesitated. Was it smart to admit this much out loud? Nerys wasn't sure. But it didn't stop her, despite her normally cautious demeanor. "I wanted to find that game room again, to learn another game from you."
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dance hall ❅ ryo ❅ outfit
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Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2025 12:43 pm
"Ryo" "Bubby"
Unsure how Nerys’ powers worked, there was nothing more that Ryo could do besides wait. His fingers touched her cheek; there was a cool feeling of her that was comforting to him. After confessing how he felt about her and how sinful he was, it was nice to have this moment before she awoke from her frozen shell and told him to leave. It was hard for him to imagine her throwing him aside given how kind she was, but it was for the best if they stayed away, especially since all he could do was hurt the people that he cared about.
The sound of her voice meeting with her hand on him was enough to scare him, causing a small scratch of the record player once more. Something he would have to regretfully explain to his brother later, a conversation he was not looking forward to by any means. But the moment of her gorgeous blue eyes looking at him, unafraid, and her hand on his was enough to ground him. Her face pressed against his hand, causing the electricity to continue flowing through his body. He could feel his heartbeat and pulse in his hand due to the shock.
There was something comforting about the idea of him not being the only person in this place who struggled with controlling his abilities. But that thought was quickly overshadowed by the realization of why fear was such a trigger for her abilities and how many times she had to use her ice to protect herself. Nerys wasn’t a soldier like him; she was a lady, and Ryo was sure that her abuse stemmed from inside the home, something Ryo understood all too well. But his abuser had to atone in the afterlife for his crimes, staying a spirit in captivity with his mother for the remainder of his life while Ryo paid the price for his family’s safety.
Resisting the urge to clutch his fingers into fists again, Ryo focused instead on the beautiful girl beside him. His hand was so close to her face that any tension would surely send her back to her icy shape. Her confession, her soft face, matched with her gentle words made him stay present and not shake with rage. Instead, it was easier to melt as the woman before him admitted she also wanted to spend more time with him. " Wait- You heard me?" His face flushed red, but his eyes remained on Nerys.
His brain flickered between whether or not he was embarrassed or relieved by the idea that Nerys had heard him. He wanted her to know he was engaged, but it was hard for him to let go of this idea of happiness with someone. Something he had given up when he was just a kid. Thankfully, she was giving him an out from having to explain or act on his thoughts any further. Resorting back to the idea of the two just innocently playing games with one another.
It was hard for him to admit he wanted more than just to play games with her; he wanted more moments like this. Her head against his hand, her hand pressed against his, making him feel alive for the first time all over again. Looking down at her face as her eyes were innocently looking at him, he finally understood where his brother was coming from. The lack of control and urge to kiss Nerys was unbelievable, but thankfully, the voice of reason was louder than his brother’s.
There was just one more question he needed to have answered before he could move on from this moment and try and pretend it never happened. His fingers gently caressed the girl’s face as he spoke, " Why didn’t you come back? Bubby and I- I waited for you to return." His voice was lowered as the temptation to look away from her was there but knowing she had wanted to play games with him again, he needed to know why she chose not to. Before their lesson, Ryo was sure he knew the answer; he was a monster. But now, knowing how she was feeling, it was confusing why she wouldn’t show.
OOC:
Wearing: x
Thoughts: why?
Location: Dance Hall
With: Nerys
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love me til death Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2025 5:29 pm
The flush that bloomed on his cheeks was enough to have Nerys look away. A small part of her was worried, ashamed. People told her things they did not wish to be known when she was ice. It wasn't the first time and it certainly wouldn't be the last. It didn't make those moments feel less private. Like she was an intruder on the things she was being told.
"It was not intentional. I don't quite understand how it works, but the ice does not stop me from hearing or seeing." For a breath, she considered her words. She wanted him to understand. Maybe it was selfish, but there was something nice about explaining it to another person. It wasn't something she'd ever done before. On the rare occasion she'd been frightened enough to freeze in Funkazan she was used as air conditioning. Having to consider how to explain it to someone was nice. With a measured bob of her head, she continued. "Well, assuming my eyes are open when I freeze. I cannot see if they are closed. And I can only see what is in front of me. The ice is harder than normal ice, so I couldn't move to see anything if I wanted to." Placing a few fingers over her lips, Nerys glanced up to Ryo apologetically. "Forgive me My Lord, I'm babbling."
As it turned out, babbling was not a reason to push someone away for Ryo. Curiosity drew her gaze back up. Then her breath caught in her throat. There was something in his eyes that she hadn't seen in a long time. A heat. One that didn't seem threatening or demanding. If anything it was making her stomach do small flips. If Ryo told her in this moment that she was the only woman in the world, Nerys would have believed him. Especially once the pad of his thumb brushed a soft line down her cheek bone, making a shiver shoot down her spine.
There was a war in her chest. One that was so glad to know he waited for her. One that was elated at the prospect of settling back into a chair with him and being taught a new game. But he was engaged. Surely to a woman far more worthy of him than she was. And worse, it was clear he thought she had abandoned him. That she'd played that game of chess with him and chosen not to come back. Hesitance was silencing her, making Nerys flounder under the weight of his gaze.
She wasn't sure how long she had spent just staring into his eyes. It was easy to get lost in them, enjoying the way he was looking at her. But finally she moved. The pads of her fingers pressed into the back of his hand in a way that she knew wasn't necessarily appropriate. Even less so when the pads of her fingers slid up and her palm pressed into the back of his hand while her fingers laced between his. The action had her breath hitching, like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Waiting for Ryo to come to his senses and push her away.
"When I found that room, found you, it was an accident." The admission was slow and sheepish. Her eyes darted away for just a moment, heavy with the shame. "I was actually looking for the history classroom." She could feel the embarrassment crawling across her skin. Part of her wished that she were still ice, tucked away safe from the judgement her confession was sure to bring. "I do mean it when I say the school is too big My Lord. I looked for you - Ah, I mean -" Instead of covering her mouth again, her hand squeezed over his. It almost felt like her heart was trying to climb out of her throat it was beating so hard. She was trapped in Ryo's gaze, forced to offer him the truth. After a breath, her voice softened as she repeated herself. "I looked for you."
It would be too much to ask the gods to stay in this moment. This beautiful, wonderful moment where time felt like it had slowed and they were the only two people left in this world. Yet the gods were never that kind to Nerys. And so she pulled her gaze away from Ryo, giving the dance floor around them a cautious glance. "I'm not sure it's safe to continue dancing." The words still felt too breathless, clearly not recovered from the fantasy that they could be together if only for a moment. "But, I don't want the night to end My Lord."
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dance hall ❅ ryo ❅ outfit
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