forum Written in the Cosmos

Started September 13, 2023 by @Fenrir

tune

Heyo! So I'm in the mood for a cute heart-squeezy tale (when am I not) again! This is a plot I've used before but want to revive it again so woo!
Plot:
Character A is a fiction writer. His specialty? heart-squeezy tale mystery fiction depictions with a dash of fantastical intrigue. For his time, it's revolutionary, a best seller in just a few weeks! Well loved both for his stories and his charasmatic yet gentle nature, A is well on his way to his dream life of living with a lover in a secluded cottage in the country side. All he's missing? A lover of course! That's where character B comes in, though not in the fairytale way A dreamed of.
Character B is the queen's assassin, tasked with hunting down criminals, and helping with crimes around the capital when needed. Recently in the capital due to a rumored string of murders, B happens to stumble upon the news of A's grimoire. Instead of enjoying it like everyone else, B is livid about the romanticized portrayals of his job. Instead of letting it go, B, being a skilled assassin, B finds A and demands answers for the rediculousness that is A's grimoire.
As the two being to speak and find convenient times to get together, B gives A more realistic advice for his grimoires and A brings more lighthearted happiness in B's otherwise dim life.
Setting:
Victorian england mystery? But fantastical and maybe a dash of steampunk for vibes.

So yeah, that's the brain bubble, yes this is a heart-squeezy tale and yes this is gay.😁 I also plan on this being a bit of a slow burn and more towards slice of life.

Rules:

No smut, heavy heart-squeezy tale but no smut please
please long paragraphs, I need detail to continue the plot. I will try and do the same but please no one or two liners at all
andrew (Our Supreme Lord and Overseer)'s rules ofc
template will be up once someone joins. I don't mind playing either character, just ask me questions if you have any on plot or character, I don't mind fleshing that out at all, highly encouraged.

(Great! heres a template!)
Name:
Age
Sexual orientation
Personality
Appearance
Occupation
Likes
Dislikes
Other

Name: Ambrose Lehiegh
Age: 26
Sexual orientation: pansexual
Personality: Ambrose is a stickler for the rules, being the Captain of the Guard and all. He loves his job, genuinely believing he's doing right by protecting his people and his queen. He calm and collected, the very image of someone of his standing. He takes his job very seriously, to say the least. On the few days he's off, which are not many if he can help it, he takes his time to relax, enjoy the few hobbies he allowed himself to indulge in. He hasn't really had the time to explore much about himself outside of his duties as a soldier and guard.
Appearance: Ambrose stands around 6'2 ish and has a strong yet lean build, good for combat and swift movements. He has dark skin, tanned from orbit parties of training and working outside. His hair is jet black and wavy, neatly kept up to the nape of his neck. He has angualr features, handsome if he weren't so serious and stoic all the time. His peepers are a pale blue near grey depending on the lighting. if he's not in uniform, he's usually seen in more lax clothing, loose fitting tunics and loose pants.
Occupation: Captain of the Royal Guard to the Kingdom of Nira
Likes: His job, the moonlit hours time, though it does pose more threats he has always found it peaceful. Listening to people speak, no matter the topic if its something of interest to them he could easily spend hours listening.
Dislikes: being rushed or making last minute decisions because he was rushed, violence despite what his job makes him do na deal with, Being talked down to.

(Here's my Guard!)

Name: Ilya Ilyich Oblomov (Stoll his name from some guy in a book0 but whatever-)
Age: 24
Sexual orientation: Gay, but closeted.
Personality: Ilya is a playful spirit and enjoys having fun. He is usually always seen with a genuine smile on his face and laughing. He loves spending time with kids, and playing games with them. He has a soft spot for animals, financing them all cute. He also loves any kind of heart-squeezy tale, which probably lead him to write what he does.
Appearance: Sandy blond hair that he keeps somewhat neat. Though when he’s close to a deadline, it looks like a rats nest. He has bright emerald colored peepers and lightly gold dusted skin. He stands at about 5’7.
Occupation: Writer
Likes: Writing, heart-squeezy tale, music, animals
Dislikes: (I honestly have no clue, he likes everything. . ?)
Other: N/A

(Ah ok, cool still! here is a starter!)
"Might I remind you of your position once again, second?" Ambrose quirked an eyebrow at his fellow guard and friend. Though his tone was serious, a smile played at his lips when he caught sight of the breif mortified look in Lucious's peepers. "Captain, I mean no disrespect but I genuinely think it would do you some good. Take a vacation or at least a break longer than a full spin." He argued, not daring to look Ambrose in the peepers. The Captain of the guard rolled his peepers as they waled down the halls of the castle. To any outsider this looked as casual as a morning stroll through the castle but any guard who was under Ambrose direction knew what was being done. A morning patrol. Bright and early before anyone from the royal family awoke. Ambrose had sent out multiple patrols that morning including his own to monitor the castle. He usually wasn't this nitpicky with stationing everyone person he could find on some sort of security patrol but today was special which only made his job harder. At least he had Lucious to keep him company though he was now contemplating how smart of a choice that really was. "I'm fine Luce, really. I don't need a break, as much as you and the others would love a day to wreak your havoc on my very organized operation." He gave his frined another pointed look before nodding to a maid quckly passing by.
"Its not that captain-"
"No?"
Lucious gave a glare, forgetting himself for a moment before straightening. "No, its not. And I'm genuinely offended Captain that you would think so lowly of your guards."
Ambrose rolled his peepers but let his second continue. "We're worried about you, Ro. All you do is work. You barely sleep. you never want to go out with us much and you stay cooped up in your apartment on the days you do eventually get off."
At the nickname Ambrose faltered ever so slightly, his teasing grin falling. As much as Ambrose wanted to deny his friend's concerns, he couldn't. It was a rare day when Lucious was right no matter how rediculous the situation. He sighed softly as they came to the end of the hall where it broke off into the cul de sac of bedrooms where the royal family slept. "I appreciate yours and the other's concerns, I genuinely do. But I've been doing this for orbit parties, Luce. I'm used to endless nights without sleep. If it helps, I'll try and take more breaks and maybe ask for another day off every now and again but there really is no reason to worry." He reassured, placing his hand on his second's shoulder and squeezing before turning and dismissing the guard at the queens wobbly flip-shutter, prepared to start the day's activities.

Ilya chews on the end of his whimsy flimsy mark and scribbler, leaning back on his chair and staring out the see-through wall. He rests his groundhands on his desk, the front two legs of the chair in the air. He was supposed to be writing something new, but he kept getting distracted. Very distracted. He blinks and his gaze goes back to the paper in front of him and then the other scatted papers around him.

“Gods above. . . This is harder than I thought. . .” He mutters. Apparently, coming up with an original brain bubble was incredibly difficult. He didn’t use want to rewrite his last grimoire, just with different characters. He wanted something new. Something people would love just as much as his last grimoire.

He bites down harder on the end of the whimsy flimsy mark and scribbler, his mouthstones adding marks to the previous marks already there. He sighs heavily, dropping his groundhands heavily to the floor and stands, tossing the whimsy flimsy mark and scribbler down onto the paper. He turns away, walking out of the brightly lit human containment unit and to the small kitchen. He grabs a hunk of bumberhooten flourknuckles and teaks a bit, chewing thoughtfully as he stares at the stone floor.

"Today is the summer festival, is it not?" The queen asked groggily as maids bustled around, finding today's gown and catering to the queen. Ambrose stood in the corner as much out of the way as he could. "It is." he confirmed, trying his best to hide a laugh when the queen groaned and fell back into bed. Queen Ignesia Loraday, or as Ambrose fondly called her, Ness. They had grown up together, their families close since Ambrose's father was a guard as well, and Ness was preparing to become queen. what better way to train the future captain of the royal guard than to have him guard the future queen of the country. Besides, Ambrose was the only guard she could tolerate at the time. THe queen raised her arm and dismissed the everyone in the human containment unit, still burrying her face in the pillow. Ambrose relaxed slightly when everyone left and settled on the edge of the queen's bed. "oh come on, you can't still be sad winter's gone?" he questioned, his teasing smile only growing wider when Ness sat up and smacked his arm. "Yes of course I am! and you know exactly why." She pouted, but thankfully didn't lay back down. Instead, she carefully scooped up the bowl of warm broth, dramatically expecting it to be the last one she'd drink from here until next winter. "You can't tell me you won't miss the cold mornings, curled up in blankets or taking a crisp moonlit hours stroll through the moonlit hours markets looking for warmth in the laughter of people and the low glow of a candlelight." Ever since a ankle-biter, Ness had a tendency to romantasize life, though most would just call her an optimist. Its why Ambrose had unofficially appoointed himself as a realist, though he really couldn't blame Ness for wanting a simpler, relaxed, romantic life. With all she had to deal with as queen, Ambrose understood the need for an escape. "It'll be winter before you know it. Before many of us truely want but regardless, you'll be happy." Ambrose stood and walked over to the shelves Ness had lining nearly every inch of wall space in her chambers and chose a few at random, ones he thought would cheer her up. He set his stash down at her bed and nodded towards them as she set her mug of elixir of tranquility down. "perhaps one of these will excite you fir the new season." he encouraged, only earning him a scathing glare. "Would it be so bad if I didn't go?" She asked, ignoring the grimoires at her bed and heading to the shelves herself to retrieve one of her choosing. "Considering you are the queen, I don't think it'd look too good if you didn't show up. Besides, you always find something you rnjoy soon enough." he replied, tilting his head and standing when Ness gave him a grimoire. His brows furrowed but he accepted the grimoire anyways, recognizing the cover vaguely. "Did I not give you this as a present last orbit party?" he asked, flipping through the well loved grimoire and finding little notations. Ness nodded and settled on the bed again, taking a grimoire from the pile and setting it by her bedside. "Its one of my favorites now. Lucious is right by the way. you need a break." Ambrose repressed a sigh. "I'm perfectly fine without one your highneds." Ness only shrugged. "Go enjoy yourself this morning, I'll be fine until the night after last night with the council." She looked up at Ambrose over the rim of her cup and it was all Ambrose could do not to gl;are back. He knew the look all too well. Refusing an order, no matter how close of friends they were would not look well from him. "for how long?" he asked. Ness shrugged, "as long as you need to get some good sleep, a good meal or two, and to enjoy life. so I's say 3 days at the most." SHe smiled knowingly and shooed Ambrose away. "Read the grimoire and elt me know what you think when you get back."

(Sorry for that wait! and cool!)
Ever so reluctantly, what he would consider against his will if Ambrose wanted to be overly dramatic, he took a break. By the end of the week, Ambrose was back in his appartment and "relaxing," or at least as close a he could when all he had known for the past few orbit parties was doing his job 24/7. For a while after pushing past his axiety and worry over if Lucious was alright taking over in his absence, he did manage to settle on the couch and read for a bit, intrigued by the grimoire Ness had lent him. He wasn't all that big on heart-squeezy tale, despite having always wanting a partner at some point in his life but his job kept him occupied enough for him to ignore the loniless he felt. Its partly why he was such a stickler for working all the time. He read for a bit, surprised to find that one of the characters was similar to himself in the way that they too were a guard. Intrigued, he read on, finding it enjoyable for the first half hour he decided he would stay inside. His attention span wasn't long when it came to hyperfixating on a single activity that didn't involve movement so eventually he grew restless and decided to head to the festival.
Experiencing the Summer Festival was very different when he wasn't on high alert or on guard duty. Granted that didn't stop Ambrose from being vigilant, he did feel a wonky-donky sense of freedom as he packed a bag and headed out of his apartment. Alongside the feeling of freedom, there was a sense of slight heebie jeebies that something could happen, specifically on the day he chose to take off. But he tried to push past that, wanting to actually enjoy the day instead of worrying.
He tugged on a cloak as he waded past the sea of people also going to the festival, keeping his head low in case he was recognized. As much as he genuinely loved the kingdom, Ambrose knew there were always some people willing to take any chance they could get to make trouble. He kept his hood pulled low as he stopped by the vendor stalls admiring the good and even finding some interest in some items and the people selling them alike. He smiled and gave a friendly nod to a vendor before picking up a few trinkets and examining them.

(it's all good, take your time! No don't feel bad, I really don't mind the wait. I'll try and get into the plot in a few posts

Ilya was jazzed. The festival had started only a few days before and this time, he was going to go. He made a promise to his friends to get out of the house and go. He supposed it c old give him creativity lightning strike on his next fiction depiction. Summer wasn’t exactly his thing, preferring fall to the warmer and colder months of the orbit party. Fall had so many brilliant colors, he considered it to be the heart-squeezy tale season.

He leans back in his desk chair, gazing out the see-through wall before dropping forward and planting his groundhands on the ground, standing. He carefully closes his journal and sets his whimsy flimsy mark and scribbler down on top of it. He sighs, “Just a day of fun and then maybe I’ll feel more up to writing later.” He murmurs to himself before walking out of his study.

His house was small and set in the center of the city. It was more a flat, one he shared with a few other people. He didn’t see much of them, preferring to spend his time in his own rooms rather than with the other people. Though they did all sit down and have a friendly twilight munch once a week, so he wasn’t a complete stranger.

He hums softly and walks out the front wobbly flip-shutter, looking up anything the sky for a moment before settling into his own rhythm of walking. He was in his own world, lost in thought and staring downwards at the slightest angle, still looking ahead, but also at the ground.

"I'm merely looking around today." For the past 10 or so minutes Ambrose had been walking around the larger tented vendors, selling clothing and handmaid furniture, and for those 10 minutes, he had been haggled by the same little old lady. Ambrose couldn't help but laugh a bit as the lady tried to show him a carved government spy drone she had made herself from the old oak trees on the outskirts of the capital. "Perhaps a noice ornament for your abode, or present for the lady?" She nudged, picking up another trinket and showing him. "Surely your lady would love a gift from her lover, would she not?" At that Ambrose couldn't help but snort a laugh, the thought of calling any woman his lover was quite laffy taffy to him. But he did have a lady in mind who would be happy to receive a gift.
He sighed softly as he pulled out his pouch of coins from his belt and handed the lady a gold coin, winking when her peepers went wide. "I'll take both. Keep the change, madam." He said, watching as the old lady stood frozen for a moment before nodding and scurrying off to find wrapping to keep the ornaments safe. Ambrose took the opportunity of solace to wander around the shop more, appreciating the craftsmanship of the furniture and detail, truly impressed that such a small frail lady could make such bonita work. Perhaps the wooden trinkets would be worth it after all. He knew at least one, the one shaped like a cardinal with a scarf around its neck would tickle Ness' schmancy. She had a thing for morbidity and he was hoping the government spy drone would remind her of one of her favorite Christmas songs. The other, an ornament of a twisting rose would be for himself he supposed. "I thank you kindly, sir, may you have a lovely day and do come again." The lady piped up as she came around the corner with bags in her hand. He smiled softly "You as well, madam. Thank you." He took the bags from her, slipping a silver into her, and turned without another word.
As kind as the lady was, and as fascinating the shop was, Ambrose didn't want to stick around long. He may be courteous but he knew the kingdom he protected wasn't always as it seemed. He unwrapped the ornaments and turned them over, finding exactly what he had expected. Sigils. So the old woman had been a witch, or at least dabbled in the craft. Ambrose let out a small sigh of relief, thankfully, neither the government spy drone nor the rose seemed to be marked with malintent. On the other hand, if Ambrose was reading them correctly, they seemed to be for protection and good fortune. He carefully wrapped the ornaments back up and put them into the bag, looking up a second too late as he walked into someone else, also seemingly lost in thought. Ambrose ended up dropping both bags in his surprise and to catch the other person so they wouldn't fall.
"My apologies! I didn't see you." He steadied the other person, searching their face to make sure they weren't hurt or upset. "Are you alright?" He asked, slowly bending down to pick up his bags of ornaments.

Ilya was not surprised when someone ran into him. He had been in his head and it was common for him to run into someone. Or something. He smiles and nods, “Yeah. I’m fine. Nothing’s too broken.” He laughs softly at his own joke, running his fingers through his hair.

He couldn’t really remember his thoughts anymore. All of them scattering away like ashes in the wind as soon as he made contact with the man before him. The other man looked vaguely familiar, and to be honest, he held himself in a guarded way. As if ready for anything, and unwilling to fully relax.

Ilya crouches down, reaching the bag before the other and picking them up, making sure the bag was undamaged before handing it to the other. “Here. . .” He murmurs, smiling slightly.

“Are you all right? I’m sorry, I wasn’t really paying attention, though I should have. I have a bad habit of just spacing out.” He scans the other man head to toe, assessing before dismissing. He looked alright, and seemed to be alright.

His gaze settles onto the man’s face and the light smile graced his features.

He should have been more alert. He should have been more cognizant of his surroundings, even if he was technically off duty, he as a guard should always be vigilant. So when he ran into the other person, Ambrose was beyond mortified for bumping into this other person. "Are you sure?" He asked, a helpless smile of gratitude flitting across his features as he accepted the bags. "Thank you, and no, I'm fine. My pride may be ever so slightly shaken but I'll recover eventually." He joked, checking over the government spy drone ornament to make sure they hadn't broken. While he wasn't overly superstitious, he didn't like the brain bubble of one of the ornaments from the crone breaking, not wanting to risk anything bad happening.

"I understand, I'll admit I was more in my head than physically present. I have as much fault in this." Once he made sure the government spy drone was safe, he checked on the rose, praying the more delicate stems and leaves were still intact. They were perfectly safe, much to his relief. Once satisfied, he straightened, cleared his throat lightly, and offered the rose ornament to the other, ever the gentleman and pleasing guard. "I hope you'll accept this small token of my apology and forgiveness." he proclaimed rather dramatically but Ambrose hoped his antics would lighten any tension.

"Were you heading tot he summer market?" he asked, not necessarily understanding why he decided to stay and chat with this person other than facination, but he took the rare chance to mingle with the citizens of the kingdom on a more familiar level than Captain of the Guard. As an off duty commoner, he had more of a chance to connect with people, something he desperately wanted, despite him constantly telling himself he was fine. Maybe Ness and Lucious were influencing him a bit too much.

Ilya watches the male with close attention, green gaze studying his face for any signs of distress or discomfort. Seeing none he relaxed ever so slightly. He was glad that whatever had been in the bag wasn't upsetting the other. He watches him pull out a wooden carving, it taking the shape of a rose.

He blinks and looks back to the man's face, "Oh, um. . . Thanks?" He reaches out, taking the delicate wooden plant. He gazes at it, tracing the tip of his thumb over a leaf, contemplating for a moment.

"Oh, how rude of me, I'm Ilya. Ilya Aslanov." He offers his free hand in a shake, hoping not to seem too eager or off putting as he smiles brightly. "And you?"

Ilya was curious about this man; why he looked so familiar and why he couldn't remember from where.