ᴇᴍʙᴇʀꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ᴅʏɪɴɢ ꜱᴋʏ | ᴛᴇɴᴢᴀɪ & ᴄᴀʀᴘᴇ ᴅɪᴇᴍ

[Carpe Diem]

◤━*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧━━━━━━━━━━━━━━┓

┗━━━━━━━━━━━━━━✧༺♥༻∞━◢
✬ Ophelia ✬
❝ You paint a picture in my mind, you wanna leave it all behind
In a world that's turning all the time, nothing could stop me longing for your eyes ❞

"Me? Jealous? Maybeee a littleee. If Gust gets to hug a princess as a friend, I want to too."
"Then don't mind if I do, Ophelia. As long as you're offering, I'll be more than content with receiving it."

"Huh? Wait... wait...! Just... one at a time...!"

​

Getting more than she'd bargained for, Ophelia found herself flanked by both beastfolk girls. She'd never known it was possible to be surrounded by so much fluff without being the fluff herself, but it appeared that this day would be the princess' most eventful one in her life. Frozen between black and white fur, her face lit up brighter than a ripe tomato, her hands tense at her sides and tears bubbling at the corners of her eyes. Her lips trembled, feeling a strange kind of giddiness about being surrounded by so many girls. Her heart skipped a beat, then another, a strange, fuzzy feeling rolling around in her stomach. Not quite uncomfortable, but ticklish and foreign.
Resigning herself to being in the epicenter of this girly ball, Ophelia looked up at the strange construct that Medina threw into the air, catching the reflection of all four of them pointed right towards them. Her crimson gaze softened, relaxing when she saw everyone else's smiling faces, so serene and joyful. Such a far cry from those sorrowful expression they were making as they took her from the tower. For just this moment, it seemed they had forgotten the pain. "Haha..." Had it always been so easy? For so long, she'd felt a hollowness in her chest, a deep sorrow that could never be consoled. And yet in t his moment, it felt like she'd forgotten what it felt like. All this time, all she needed to be rid of her sadness was other people's smiles?

It was so simple it felt like a joke.
She smiled up at the reflection, her own smile feeling like that of a stranger's. She'd forgotten she could make a face like that too.

Feeling something wet and warm against her shoulder, Ophelia turned toward August. She creased her brows together in concern, wondering she had done something to hurt her again, unintentionally. "Gust...?" She tilted her head at the witch in confusion, unable to grasp that she was not crying out of sorrow, but happiness. Her lips parted to speak an apology, but she was the one to speak first. "Thanks for taking a chance on us." That sealed her lips right up, a lump forming in her throat. She swallowed it down, her mouth feeling dry as she whispered a weak response. "No, I'm the one that..."

But her time was cut short, Shiro rightfully reminding them that they were to evacuate promptly if they were to avoid being stuck in this house of horrors. With the others pulling away from the embrace, Ophelia found herself wishing for just a second longer in that warmth. She stared at their backs as they began to walk away.

"Uhm...!"
​

Her voice was weak, barely carrying in the air as she called out to them. She hoped they would hear her regardless, for she could barely find her voice. She gripped her chest, trying to calm her trembling fingers.

"Next time...!"

Next time...

"Next time... I want to complete it! I'll be stronger then, so... don't give up on me!"

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
​

Struggling with her own thoughts as she followed the trio, Ophelia didn't realize they'd arrived at their destination until the others had stopped. The metal all seemed to blend together for her, the walls and floor and the turns at corners making it feel labyrinthine to the ancestral princess. She would need a guide to keep her from getting lost for a while as she got her bearings in this station of pure metal. At least the lodging they entered was homely, quite a far cry from the dark, dank room in the tower she had called a home for so long she'd forgotten. Even her old room in the palace was not much better when she thought back on it. This flat felt much more lived in, full of a certain sense of 'spirit' that was different from the haunted house. No ghosts hunting the grounds to eat a certain hapless witch.

She almost didn't recognize the pink-haired swordswoman as she turned to them, her visage not quite so striking now that she was in more casual clothes. Although they were still strange in the medieval royal's eyes even if she wasn't going to comment on it. Meeting her gaze, Ophelia suddenly felt cagey and even more tight-lipped than before, feeling unprepared to broach a casual conversation with the woman, unlike her. She almost envied how easily she seemed to brush things off. The dark-haired princess couldn't do the same; it was practically ingrained in her to hold grudges. The Lamprosian royal family was not known for their forgiveness, and they would raze entire villages to the ground over a perceived slight. She'd been taught by her father to never let those that hurt her think they could get away with it.

"The haunted mansion! You should've seen it! They even had a spider room this year!" "So they didn't have one last year...? Just my luck..." She sighed, shuddering at just the thought of it. She felt bad for the metal spider, but it was impossible to get over her own fears in just a day. A thousand-year grudge wouldn't just pass over in the blink of an eye. "How about you get some rest. You smell like blood, you know?" "I sure hope I don't get eaten because of my carelessness..." Ophelia muttered sarcastically, staring purposefully at the hand on her shoulder. While she was fine with any of the other three touching her, she wasn't sure Neon had won that privilege just yet. Despite her reservations, however, she didn't try to put some distance between the two.

She didn't want to make things awkward and make August or Medina uncomfortable, after all. For their sake, she'd endure her own discomfort gladly.

"By the looks of it, I'm sure that August or Medina would be happy to share a bed with you, but if you don't want to share a room with anyone else, you could feel free to crash on my bed. I don't sleep anyways, all I need to do is charge, drink, and meditate." "That's generous of you. I won't have to be woken up at blade's edge this time, I hope?" As much as she wanted to say that it was water under the bridge, there was a part of Ophelia that still resented it, as much as she wanted to act like it didn't affect her. She brought up a hand, knowing there would be apologies or excuses, and wanting to get ahead of them. "It's fine. I understand the circumstances were dire. About that drink..." The sound of her high-heeled boots clicking against the floor as she walked to the table bounced off the walls, her gait regal and collected as she pinched one of the glasses between her prim fingers.

"So... what do you say? You in for a drink?" "Hmph..." She smirked as she sat down on one of the chairs, crossing one leg over the other.
​

​

"Tell you what. I'll forgive everything if you can drink me under the table."

She tipped her head against her shoulder, letting her long, dark brown tresses hang off it as she wore a self-assured smile, offering her glass to be filled. Upon having her unspoken request fulfilled, she swirled the deep-red wine around in the glass, contemplating it while she waited for the ones who would have a drink to join her. "You three won't chicken out now, will you? This bottle is so deep, and I'm just not sure if I can finish it..." she did her best to put on a faux innocent facade, but she simply could not hide her experience in this field. To say she was quite the drinker would be an understatement, having broken into the palace cellar and stolen a generous amount of bottles to drink herself into the break of dawn. Wine especially was one of her most favored drinks. Rich and dry, they called her, just like the red liquor that blended with her eyes.

Ophelia brought the glass to her face, first putting her nose to it to appreciate the strong scent before slowly bringing it to her lips, taking a single sip of it. She rolled it around on her tongue, savoring it thoroughly before she gulped it down, feeling it burn her throat just the right amount. "Hmm... Not too bad. I'll give this the royal seal of approval..."​

 

[Tenzai]

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ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴀʟʟᴇʏᴄᴀᴛ | ᴅᴊ ᴋɪʀ & ᴋᴀᴇᴅᴀʟᴜꜱ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
──────・୨ ✦✦✦✦✦ ୧・──────​

Unbeknownst to the princess, her confessions carried weight. Before they left the room, as Ophelia opened her mouth, her words had commanded a welcome silence as the three of them turned around to see their newest ally and friend displaying her truth. This had been a happy memory for her, one of many soon to come as long as they managed to stay by each other's side. Without hesitation, the three walked back towards her, unwilling to leave her behind. She was one of them. If it wasn't for the humanity she had shown to the pilot and the witch, Shiro would have held her reservations, though it was sights that would crack through her like this that made her feel genuinely comfortable by Ophelia's side.

"I don't think any of us have planned on it." She was the first to speak, causing Medina's ears to flicker upon hearing it. It was odd for the angel to be so heartfelt with her words, and yet, it seemed the most fitting for the only woman in their team with foresight to have faith in her. "We'll all be stronger then! Maybe next time, we could all go together! With Neon too!" Medina joined in, bouncing with every footstep as her rubber boots squeaked against the wooden floor. Behind her back, the princess was able to feel a squeeze of a hand on hers; With digits interlaced with a warmth from the only human in their team, the witch wiped her tears with her free hand. "Then let's make that a promise. You're one of us now, Ophelia."

"Whatever happens, we'll go through it together."​

---

"That's generous of you. I won't have to be woken up at blade's edge this time, I hope?" A crack of a smile had broken through the vampire's lips before it ruptured open into a hearty laugh. To have the princess retort her offer with a fitting, well-timed joke had displayed a side of her she never thought she would share with the woman that could've been her enemy over half a day ago. "That depends, if you would prefer me to be your alarm clock." She could barely stifle a chuckle. For the samurai, given how easy it is in her line of work to end up having an ordinary day be her last, she had lived each day as openly and honestly as she could. For her, life was too short to waste it living a lie.

"Who said a little scare can't be fun? I mean, you all went to the haunted mansion." Smelling the smoke coming off of the witch and the princess' outfit, Neon felt like she had enough to assume that an accidental spell had gone off or that a dragon had shot flame near her friends for the sake of scaring them stiff as an attraction. "From the looks of it, you both had a lot of fun there too! If not for Idra, I would've joined you but... If anyone were to wipe the smirk off that smug bitch's face, it would be me." Her eyes had glowed at the idea of using the arena battle as an excuse to beat the blonde princess senseless. After emotionally assaulting her friends, it felt like the only right form of compensation.

"It's fine. I understand the circumstances were dire. About that drink..." With the vampire already moved on from the morning, as Ophelia walked forward in her new fit, a sultry smirk had replaced the humor on the vampire's face; A dress like that was something meant to capture the eye tastefully, yet the magical strength that could be sensed in its seams had made it practical the same. 'Huh. Umbra's work. Looks like she hasn't lost her touch.' Wondering what August would look like if she embraced a similar style to Ophelia's aesthetic, it became a mere passing thought as she saw the witch in her new clothes. Both looked appealing in their own ways, each made individually flattering through the work of the teams favorite spider girl.

"So... what do you say? You in for a drink?"

"Hmph... Tell you what. I'll forgive everything if you can drink me under the table."​

The courage at which she willingly challenged the samurai to a drinking competition of all things had ignited a fire in her chest. "Are you sure? If you challenge me to something like that, you're only going to end up waking up naked in Medina's office with no memory of your past life... Then again, that sounds like a fun enough time too." Medina blushed at what the vampire had insinuated. "You got yourself a deal. No backing out, yeah? I don't plan on losing." Taking the glass opposite of the woman, as she drew a chair to sit across the counter from her, Ophelia had called the others to attention.

"You three won't chicken out now, will you? This bottle is so deep, and I'm just not sure if I can finish it..." Floating over to the seat immediately on her left, Medina refused to let these two drink alone. Though as if recognizing the prowess of the smallest girl in the room's tolerance to alcohol, the vampire gulped. "Just making sure, this battle is just between us. If Medina joined our bet, we'd both end up in a coma." The perks of being undead was that, no matter how much she could drink, nothing would disturb her insides. Their doctor was tolerant to most poisons and disease, as long as the wine itself wasn't considered blessed, she won't suffer any ill effects.

Shiro shook her head. Drinking wasn't exactly something she was particularly fond of, especially given her tendency to ramble about her visions on the rare occasion she did. "I'll pass. Thanks for the invitation." Excusing herself to her room, she left August who looked like a deer in headlights. She was weak to the power of any alcohol. Gulping, as she searched for any reason to escape, the innocent facade the princess feigned had caused her to nervously stumble forward. It wasn't like she wanted the night to end on a bad note. She was at home and surrounded by the people she cared about. What was the worst that could happen... Right? "I'll try it out. Just uh... Don't hold any expectations that I could last as long as you guys..."

"Then let's toast to our new friend and for whatever memories tomorrow has to bring." Grinning at the idea of seeing the princess sloshed, after the clinking of their glasses, while Ophelia drank her own portion slowly, Neon downed it with speed. A splash of red to the vampire would do little to the warrior when her pride was on the line. Joining Ophelia and Neon, Medina clinked her own glass before taking her drink down with a content smile. Given her role as their pilot, it wasn't often where she had the opportunity to drink without concern for her work. As such, she was going to make the most of every single time she was able to drinking with the crew she considered her family. "Ahh~ Thanks for the wine, Neon."

"Hmm... Not too bad. I'll give this the royal seal of approval..." Another gulp had come from August's throat as she looked down at her reflection in the intoxicating, alluring fluid. Taking a deep breath, she took a sip before feeling her cheeks grow flushed in a mere matter of moments. Her sisters in her coven had always joked about her intolerance to drinks, often offering a non-alcoholic substitute for her to join with the festivities. However, they weren't here now and her friends were looking to her to join. Slowly, she lifted the glass to her lips and drank whatever she could, covering his lips to hide a small burp. It was sweeter than usual, a dangerous combination to the witch. What it meant was that she wouldn't be able to stop until she couldn't stand any longer.

"Wow, Gust. I didn't think you had it in you to join us." Neon joked, patting her back. "Y-yeah I mean... I can't have you three drinking on your own, especially if its our first night with Lia!" Finding courage in the promise of showing Ophelia every single one of her sides no matter how vulnerable, she persisted while Neon poured the second round for everyone participating. "And here's to beating the credits out of the princess tomorrow. Cheers!" Another tap of their glasses had signaled the beginning of the next round as Neon looked at Ophelia in the eyes as she drank her second glass. "Having second doubts, princess?~" She teased. Though before she was able to put down her glass, Medina had already held out her empty own towards the vampire. "Next!~"

The vampire chuckled. Willing herself again, underneath the table, August gingerly reached out her hand to hold Ophelia's own, nervous at the thought of ending up drunk and embarrassing herself again. However, all it took was Lia's reaction for her determination to get the better of her. If she can't handle this much, then what was the point of drinking in the first place? Another river of crimson has filled her insides, causing her to gasp upon finishing it. By then, a hiccup had accompanied each one of her words, only matched by a warm yet loose smile over the course of a few minutes. "... D-don't look at me like that..." She purred, leaning her head on the princess' exposed shoulder. "I'm not out of it yet! I could do another. I promise!"

Showing a bit of amusement, as Neon poured the third round, this time, she filled August's only halfway before pouring some soda to water down the purity of the drink. "Last one, got it? Gust, while I think you're fucking cute when you're drunk, I don't want you spilling everything you drank over the counter." Medi nodded her head, drinking her wine as though it was nothing more than flavored water. Despite the alcohol not playing too much of a role on her mind, she was still content with the presence of others when they drank together. The company was what made the drinking worth it, not the alcohol itself. "S-shaddup. I'm a big girl. I could take it!" Rolling her eyes playfully, Neon turned back to Ophelia. "Your face is turning a little red there. You might as well give up and forgive me while you're ahead... Unless, you want to end up like Gusty over here."

"Hey! What's wrong with being me?" She pouted, crossing her arms. Being buzzed had made her more honest, so much so that her typical anxieties that restricted her tongue were gone. "Nothing, Gust. Just that you're a lightweight. Besides..." Grinning, Neon leaned her elbow over the counter to take her by the chin. "I love it when you're honest. You're cuter that way." Blushing hard, the witch was caught off guard by the sudden surge of confidence. "I- Uh- But-" Flustered, she pulled away and hid her cheeks. "Maybe, we could figure out what got you so interested in the princess in the first place? Its not like you to want to be so friendly so soon~ Maybeee... She's your type?"

Immediately upon hearing Neon go on the offensive, Medina pulled out her sketchbook to draw the idea of a sapphic scene that came to mind. Scribbling instead of drinking, she went to work on what the idea of Ophelia potentially romancing one of her saviors would look like. "... Lia's pretty. But that's not the reason why I wanted to be her friend." Despite how embarrassed she felt, she couldn't hold back the tide of words from escaping her mouth. "I just... Really wanted to get to know her. Make sure that her life off planet was something she could look forward to. I mean, there's no way fate would have brought us together if not for that, right? And... She has a really pretty smile too." Naive yet wholesome, the witch had shared her thoughts with the princess. "I -hic- hope you don't think I'm weird or anything f-for saying this."

"Aww, isn't that adorable. Would you look at that, Lia? Gust has a little crush on you~" Neon snickered, pouring the two of them a glass. "Now come on, my duel with you is far from over. I'm not giving up until I get to see you drunk too." Promising mutually assured destruction, as the three had partook in their next round of wine, August was unable to finish it before resting her head on the surface with a red glow on her face. Her feet swung from the chair, suggesting that she was still conscious albeit barely. Neon on the other hand had started to seem buzzed.

"Though she ain't lying. Out of all the fucking smirks I've seen, yours is one of the hotter ones." Leaning over the table, her voice smelled of wine. "Tell me, you got a little someone special too? Or... Did anyone around here catch your eye? You could be honest, its just me and Medi here. I doubt August would remember in the morning." Giving them a moment to sit with the alcohol in their system, as she turned to the bottle, she noticed it dry. "Damn. That was my favorite brand too... Ah well, I have something else we could try." Pulling another bottle out from under the counter, she displayed something different: Everclear. The drink itself seemed to have drunk dragon-kin on the cover, hinting at its potency being enough to sedate the massive creatures. "Hm? Oh the wine? That was the appetizer. This is the main stuff you gotta worry about."