never mine to own ❥ kalon tryout form

[Cheeb]

xxxxxscrimine binghurst's workshop was in its own building. from what ky could tell, she lived there, as it was rather large, and very fancy looking from the outside. however, it blended in well with its surroundings. in that way, it reminded kyros of binghurst herself. despite everything about her, she could always keep herself rooted in the background.
xxxxxkyros knocked on the door tentatively. almost immediately, he heard loud footsteps rushing towards it. before he could blink, the door swung open.
xxxxx"wh -- oh. good evening, nicolaides. or, rather, good morning." binghurst spoke just as stoically as usual, but ky swore he could have seen a trace of a smile on her lips. she gestured for him to come through the doorway, and he did so, following her to an empty chair near a crowded desk. "say, mr. nicolaides," she said, with a slightly condescending tone, "it's about three thirty in the morning. tell me. why are you here?"
xxxxxky felt his mouth dry up. "um," he said, awkwardly, "i... i finished my project, ms. binghurst, but there was a bit of a mishap --"
xxxxx"did you bring the finished product with you? no? well, i can't help you right now. i'm sorry."
xxxxx"u-um, actually, i did."
xxxxxhe ripped off his coat, and let his wings free, flapping them a few times.
xxxxxbinghurst's eyes widened. "oh, my... they're very exquisite." she shook her head, snapping herself out of it. "may i say, nicolaides, you have certainly created a functional set of wings. what is the issue with them?"
xxxxxkyros told her everything. she pulled up a chair, deeply invested in his story. he rambled on and on how he'd worked so hard and so long, and while nothing went wrong in the tests, the prototype underwent some sort of malfunction and sent a rattling pain through his body. ky couldn't help but to pour out some of his emotions, as well; he lamented about xenia and how he hadn't seen her in so long. he panicked about how he'd even tell her about the wings, but binghurst offered him consoling words rather than angry ones. it was very different than what kyros was used to. binghurst was unfeeling, uncaring, and distant. she was just another authority figure. yet, here he was, crying to her in the dead of the night.
xxxxxfinally, he asked: "ms. binghurst... wh-what should i do?"
xxxxxshe got up from her chair and disappeared into another room for a moment, before bringing out a strange machine. "here," she said, with sadness in her eyes. "i need you to take this for me. it's a machine created by my -- my team." she looked down. "it is very, very dangerous, and there are only four in existence. i call it a cathoricallia. use it when you're in immediate danger. it will help you immensely." binghurst locked eyes with kyros. "i'll tell the king you're coming. but, first, go home. tell your friend you love her."
xxxxx"thank you. i-i will."

[Cheeb]

xxxxx"xenia!"
xxxxxkyros was home.
xxxxx"xenia! xenia, i'm here!" ky ran up the stairs, into the bedroom, where he knew she'd be. "xenia! oh, god, xe, you're here!"
xxxxxshe'd propped herself up in bed, and had a dazed look on her face. "ky... ky, what...?"
xxxxxkyros nearly threw himself towards her, holding her tight in his arms. "i love you so much," he said, barely louder than a whisper, "and i'm sorry. i'm so sorry."
xxxxx"ky, what's happening? are you okay?" xenia pulled herself away from him. after all, he was usually so chipper and relaxed. his frantic mumbles alarmed her. "you need to tell me what's going on, dear, i --"
xxxxx"i can't tell you. i just wanted to say goodbye."
xxxxx"what?!"
xxxxx"i love you, xenia."
xxxxxbefore she could do anything, kyros was gone once again.

[Cheeb]

xxxxxky flew all the way to the castle.
xxxxxhe soared through the sky, using the light of the city below, as well as the light streaming from his wings, as a guide. it was strange, feeling the cold night air beneath him, and being so, so far up. yet, at the same time, it was the most exhilarating thing he'd ever experienced. it was a freedom like never before, and for those moments spent above the rest of cathoria, kyros was happy.
xxxxxthe guards that stood idly outside the castle doors were somewhat startled by kyros swooping down and landing clumsily before them, but ky didn't have it in him to care. he simply pulled his coat out of his bag, and put it on, as if nothing had happened. "i am kyros nicolaides. i have an appointment with the king." one of them nodded, still dazed, and led him into the palace.
xxxxxthe throne room was just as he'd remembered it. it looked like something out of a dream: an ornate hall with two breathtaking thrones elevated above it. his royal highness sat in the larger of the two, looking tired and unamused. however, when the guard and kyros came into sight, he immediately perked up.
xxxxxkyros bowed before the king, who just laughed. "no need for such formality, mr. nicolaides! we're friends, after all," he said, with a smile. "are my wings ready?"
xxxxx"yes, your majesty. th-they are," said kyros, nearly shaking. he told himself that he wasn't going to be nervous, and he'd made it this far unfazed. he'd even acted fearless against the royal army, for god's sake! yet there was a lump resting in his throat, and sweat trickling down the back of his neck.
xxxxxthe king's smile grew larger. "wonderful! where are they?"
xxxxxkyros pulled off his coat, and let his creation shine. he fluttered them around, lifting himself off the ground, while the king watched in awe.
xxxxx"excellent, my boy," his majesty said. "i am glad to see that they work. however... enough with the theatrics!" he let out a hearty chuckle. "allow me to try them on!"
xxxxxky could barely speak. "a-actually," he said, his voice cracking, "they're kind of stuck."
xxxxx"stuck? you mean, they won't come off of you?"
xxxxx"y-yes, sire."
xxxxxthe king's smile faltered. "this cannot be correct. what are you planning on doing about this? sitting here and showing them off?"
xxxxx"n-no, sire. i-i --"
xxxxx"do not start with the excuses!" his royal highness slammed his fist against his throne. "i asked for my wings, and i will not let a peasant take them from me! now, how are you going to fix this mess?!"
xxxxxkyros fell to his knees. "s-sire, i beg for forgiveness! i-i wish to build you a-another pair, one th-that's much more grand than these! i will perfect the science behind them, i-i swear, regardless --"
xxxxx"silence!"
xxxxxin that moment, it felt like all of cathoria froze.
xxxxx"i will not have a cocky inventor who wants what i deserve for himself! guards, end this fool before i do it myself!"
xxxxxevery single kalon stationed in the room hurried into action, rushing towards kyros. he fumbled through his bag, past the little bird he built, through every gum wrapper and piece of mail he'd stuffed in, and slammed down the button on the machine binghurst gave him.
xxxxxall was black again.

[Cheeb]

Valorine
she/her — playlist link





xxxxxi. Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)

by Florence + the Machine
( this is a gift, it comes with a price )



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xxxxx"The Wings of the Heavens, a child bathed in gold, will descend upon the living as a messenger from the Gods. It will live amongst the mortals for ten years' time; then, a rapture will commence. The worthy will ascend, the damned will suffer."
xxxxxValorine knew she was different. It was in the Father's gentle patience, encouraging her to practice her healing so that she'd be ready by her coming of age; in the seething jealousy from Allies over the lavishness she shrouded with. It was in the limbs on her back: the Wings of the Heavens.
xxxxxShe hated it.
xxxxxFormalities were stifling, as were the glares. She was too much for others to connect with, yet not enough to fulfill the image they so desired. Val didn't feel divine. The kit, unruly and anxious, was fated to a loneliness she couldn't bear. Yet, that was the price, wasn't it?

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xxxxxii. Seeing Stars

by Empathy Test
( we all know what goes on behind closed doors )



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xxxxxAre you not happy, child?
xxxxxI'm happy, Father, she lied.
xxxxxThe Alliance's leaders, in all their glory, could not seem to please Valorine. They showered her healing prowess with praise and bestowed her with jewels and gold, but their surface-level affections were for naught. It took little to notice her discomfort. Oreste, the young second-in-command, was the only one Val considered a genuine friend. One fateful meeting with this mentor changed everything. "You're only a child, you don't deserve to be their sacrifice!"
xxxxx"Sacrifice?" The kit's eyes widened.
xxxxxOreste froze, knowing he'd said too much. The plan wasn't quite ready — but he realized it had to be. "Valorine... meet me tomorrow night. Get your things. We're sneaking you out of here."

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xxxxxiii. Come Along

by Cosmo Shelldrake
( don't let moments pass along )



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xxxxxDrunk on newfound freedom, the coming weeks were a blur of joyous travel. Staying put was risky — and, moreover, it was boring. Valorine bounced between towns, selling her healing in marketplaces. She dropped tears into 'potions', knowing direct magic usage would draw too much attention. A cloak, while not hiding her inexperience, hid her wings.
xxxxxAnd, flight! She'd never flown before, but Val resolved to teach herself; empty forest clearings were classrooms, hidden from prying eyes. Slowly, surely, she learned to lift herself to the sky, catch the wind, and soar beyond worry.
xxxxxAway from the luxury of a lamb to be slaughtered, as a rough-and-tumble peddler, Val felt like she was no longer merely a gift. Valorine was a person, and she refused to miss a moment of living.

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xxxxxiv. ??? — ???

xxxxxWIP!

xxxxxv. Bloodflood — alt-J

xxxxxWIP!


word counts
i. 150 / ii. 116 / iii. 131 / iv. / v.

xx words / 600