starcrossed (aylin)

[theia luxanna solas]

❝ theia luxanna solas now we must choose a world smothered by midnight or ringed with flame Tonight was going to be a highlight of her life - and Theia was doing her best to keep her emotions reigned in, lest she spoil the fun for the unsuspecting partygoers. Lambs to the slaughter, and they didn't even know it. Ivan's plan to take out as many Order members and Children of the Moon as they could under the cloak of anonymity was a stroke of genius - though, Theia hadn't needed to stroke his ego in telling him that. He was a brilliant man, and he already knew the sort of glee his coven was going to take from all of this. Unfortunately for her... there were higher stakes involved. Ivan had informed Theia to keep a close eye on Aylin. Fully bringing her into the fold had posed a multitude of problems - namely, that Aylin was weaker than Theia had realized. She loved her, she truly did... but, she had no plans to let love get in the way of the future she wanted for herself, for their kind. And so, if the moment was wrong, if Aylin resisted... Theia had been ordered to Turn her, or kill her in the process. And she'd said yes. For now, she was keeping that at the back of her mind - Theia didn't want to believe that it would come down to that at the end of all of this. For now, she was content to simply hold onto Aylin. They'd chosen matching white dresses for their themed costumes, the only contrast coming from the color of their masks. Aylin was a vision in her silvery mask that mimicked the phases of the moon, with decals signifying her as the goddess Artemis. Theia, on the other hand, wore a mask in the brightest of bronze, a coppery sun to contrast the fire of her hair. They stood side-by-side, hand-in-hand, as they looked out upon the party. "You look amazing, by the way," Theia murmured, leaning in in order to be heard above the string quartet playing away a short distance from them. (tagged)⏤ aylin neoma feyaerts (WORD COUNT)⏤ 341 words (notes)⏤ let the fun begin!

MADE BY MIZO

[aylin neoma feyaerts]

Cut me down
But it’s you who’ll have further to fall
Ghost town and haunted love

The only thing that had kept Aylin focused over these past few weeks, knowing what she knew about the party, was the costumes. Theia had consoled her, assured her that what they were about to do was part of a necessary plan. And despite the alarm bells constantly going off in the back off Aylin’s head, she’d listened. And instead turned her mind toward a task she could manage.

Aylin loved making clothes. She’d found long ago that sewing soothed her, plus adding decorative bits and decorative charms allowed a unique outlet for her creative side. Knowing that most of the coven intended on going as Greek gods, she and Theia had picked the twins- Artemis and Apollo. And Aylin had taken on the task of doing their costumes.

The dresses were simple, though flattering and beautiful. Aylin had added extremely subtle touches to the bottoms of the skirts- a little bronze to Theia’s and a little silver to her own, so small that they wouldn’t be noticed in the daylight, but would glimmer perfectly in the dark. But for the masks, she’d really let herself go wild. And even she had to say, they’d turned out brilliantly.

When the night came, though, she still found herself nervous, her half-vampire heart beating irregularly as she braided her hair around the straps of the mask and applied a coat of lipstick. Aylin and Theia left their apartment in near silence, showing up at the party together. Aylin wasn’t sure when it had happened, but at some point, Theia had taken her hand, leading her into the room and holding her tight. It was a blessing and a comfort to her.

”You look amazing, by the way.”

Aylin smiled softly as Theia leaned in to deliver the compliment. ”Thank you, as do you,” she replied softly. ”I’m glad the masks turned out so well.” Truly, the charms on them were doing incredible work, as Aylin watched a little sun rise on the corner of Theia’s mask and move across it slowly, where it would eventually set on the other side. ”Should we get a drink or something?”

theia luxanna solas

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[theia luxanna solas]

❝ theia luxanna solas now we must choose a world smothered by midnight or ringed with flame This was the girl that she loved - beautiful, serene, and gentle. She was the calm to Theia's storm, the night to her day. Theia was forever grateful for the way that Aylin had always been able to talk her down out of her moods, or the way that she always seemed to know what she needed on a bad day. But, that softness was not going to have its place in the new world that they were building. Theia knew it, and she believed that Aylin did too. They'd never spoken about it - a habit that they'd carried from childhood into their adult lives, it seemed. Maybe that was Theia's fault, always rushing forward without feeling the need to stop and evaluate. That was what Aylin was good at, and it was the role that she played in their relationship. Theia was action - Aylin was thought. That thinking, Theia feared, was what was going to get her killed. At the compliment, Aylin smiled almost bashfully, an expression that Theia found remarkably beautiful. "Thank you, as do you. I'm glad the masks turned out so well." "You're a bit of a genius on that front, I think," Theia replied with a laugh. "Should we get a drink or something?” "Whatever you'd like," Theia smiled. She squeezed Aylin's hand gently, encouragingly. "I'll follow your lead." (tagged)⏤ aylin neoma feyaerts (WORD COUNT)⏤ 226 words (notes)⏤ <3

MADE BY MIZO

[aylin neoma feyaerts]

Cut me down
But it’s you who’ll have further to fall
Ghost town and haunted love

”You’re a bit of a genius on that front, I think.”

Aylin laughed, her face getting warm at the little compliment from Theia. ”Stop it, you flatter me,” she replied, her eyes crinkling as she smiled with happiness. It was difficult to feel anything other than gleeful in Theia’s presence that night, as Aylin’s feelings were overwhelming her. She loved Theia, she’d always loved Theia. Some day she might even tell her the whole truth of it, but they had work to do first.

”Whatever you’d like. I’ll follow your lead.”

”Just a firewhiskey,” Aylin commented, knowing to avoid the punch with her half-vampire stomach. She pulled Theia forward by the hand, grabbing two cold drinks from a table near the door to the kitchen. ”Cheers,” she said with a little smile, cracking her drink open and clinking it against her friend’s.

Before Aylin could take a sip, Ivan appeared in the room, his captivating presence immediately taking over the room. Aylin gulped, her drink forgotten as she immediately found herself wishing they’d had more time to enjoy the party before the coven ruined it for everyone else. She knew what she had to do and found her muscles tightening in anticipation and dread. Hell on earth for their victims meant a different kind of hell for Aylin, despite the push from Theia.

Just as she started to look back at her friend, to discern where they were meant to begin, the room changed once more. Death itself swept into the space, taking over much of the room as it boomed a new proclamation. Its followers were to raze London, take the world back for themselves that very night. When had the world been theirs? Aylin had no idea, but no time left to think as dread and shame flooded through her.

”I can’t do this, Theia I can’t be a part of this,” she found herself whispering, her hand now a vice grip on her friend. Death was taking over the world that night and anything they did at this party would only be helping it destroy the world. It wanted London to burn, wanted to kill anyone and everyone. There were so many innocents out there, muggles and wizards alike. ”We have to leave.”

theia luxanna solas

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[theia luxanna solas]

❝ theia luxanna solas now we must choose a world smothered by midnight or ringed with flame For a brief moment, Theia allowed herself to daydream about a simpler life. One where she hadn't been Bitten, one where she could live a human life. There likely wouldn't have been lavish opportunities like this one to spend time with the woman that she loved... but, maybe that was okay. Maybe the simplicity was fine. Theia found that daydream fading away into nothing, however, as Ivan finally took to the floor. As he spoke with such vigor and purpose, Theia remembered just why she had chosen to support his cause, why she looked up to him. They were going to remake the world in the image of the immortals, of the truly powerful. In that moment, she forgot just how nervous she was for Aylin. It wasn't until Death showed up that Theia realized just how much Aylin was going to fail. Theia hadn't bothered to pull her wand out, ready to leap at the unsuspecting party guests. Her fangs were already bared, her lips curled into a confident smile. All of that faltered when she looked at Aylin. "I can’t do this, Theia I can’t be a part of this. We have to leave." Theia glanced down at the tight grip Aylin now had on her hand, staring at it without comprehension for a moment. Disappointment flooded her features and she gazed up at Aylin with confusion - and perhaps some disgust - in her face. "We have to do this. You have to do this, Aylin." (tagged)⏤ aylin neoma feyaerts (WORD COUNT)⏤ 249 words (notes)⏤ <3

MADE BY MIZO

[aylin neoma feyaerts]

Cut me down
But it’s you who’ll have further to fall
Ghost town and haunted love

Not for the first time, Aylin wished she were stronger. Strong like Theia, who could deal with all of this moral confusion and do the job she wanted. Strong like Ivan who set this whole thing up so he could achieve what he wanted. Perhaps even strong like the father who’d let her go, knowing he couldn’t care for a half-vampire child.

But Aylin’s body wouldn’t let her be strong in this case, as it rebelled against the begging of her mind to be compliant. Her heart, usually slow in its beating, thudded in her ears as a deep sadness gripped her. The world, temporarily slowed as Aylin fought with herself, came into sharp focus. Ivan was leaping at some werewolf, Val was chasing a pregnant woman out of the room, corpses already littered the floor. Everything was wrong. This was wrong.

”We have to do this. You have to do this, Aylin.”

Aylin blinked, stared back at Theia, who she’d momentarily forgotten was even beside her. Theia wasn’t looking at the carnage around them, wasn’t concerned about the murders or anyone screaming in terror. Theia only looked at Aylin, confused, disgusted that she was now unwilling to participate in this. It became clear that if Aylin wanted to leave, she would have to leave Theia behind.

”No,” she said, her voice suddenly defiant as she ripped her hand away from Theia’s. ”No, I don’t have to do anything. You’ve been guilt-tripping me into doing your bidding for months, Theia, I won’t do it anymore. I’m done. You want to stay? Be my guest, but I’m leaving.” She didn’t yet know where she could go, how she could even escape all of this. But Aylin had to try, she wasn’t this person. She wasn’t a monster.

theia luxanna solas

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[theia luxanna solas]

❝ theia luxanna solas now we must choose a world smothered by midnight or ringed with flame Aylin blinked once, then twice, and Theia knew in that moment that she was no longer staring at the woman that she loved.  This was a stranger to her now. Theia was more angry at herself than she was angry at Aylin, admittedly. She felt foolish, as though she'd had the wool pulled over her own eyes. She was the victim in this scenario - not Aylin. She was the one who had her life altered beyond recognition, was the one who had to adapt to survive. Aylin was part flesh and bone, part beating heart and working lungs - sensations that Theia had no memory of. They had the dead parts of themselves in common... but, Aylin was too soft for her mortal side, and it was going to cost her. Theia didn't bother hiding her disgust once Aylin ripped her hand from her.  "No. No, I don’t have to do anything. You’ve been guilt-tripping me into doing your bidding for months, Theia, I won’t do it anymore. I’m done. You want to stay? Be my guest, but I’m leaving." Theia scoffed, an ugly noise that sounded alien coming from her throat. "My bidding? You've got your own free will, Aylin. I just wish you would've used it properly. Ivan was right about you. You're weak," Theia spat. Her fangs flashed as she stepped forward, grabbing for Aylin. "And weakness must be culled." (tagged)⏤ aylin neoma feyaerts (WORD COUNT)⏤ 234 words (notes)⏤ <3

MADE BY MIZO

[aylin neoma feyaerts]

Cut me down
But it’s you who’ll have further to fall
Ghost town and haunted love

Aylin had spent so much of her life admiring Theia, loving Theia, even before her best friend had Turned into a vampire. Sure, those feelings had evolved over time, but love had been there for longer than Aylin could even remember. But now, now Theia wasn’t the person Aylin had loved all those years. For a moment, Aylin had clarity and she saw Theia as perhaps she should have for the past year or so.

Theia had pushed and pulled her into all of this. They’d joined Ivan’s coven together, not because Aylin had wanted to, but because Theia had. They’d participated in Death’s little gatherings, again not because Aylin had wanted to, but Theia had talked her into it. And when Aylin had been asked to kill for the cause, there had been disgust not quite contained by Theia’s fake empathy. Aylin had been so worried about Val, about Ivan, about Death, that she had missed what was right in front of her. Her best friend had stopped looking out for her, stopped caring for the person she was. Theia was gone.

”My bidding? You’ve got your own free will, Aylin. I just wish you would’ve used it properly. Ivan was right about you. You’re weak.”

Aylin could’ve laughed at this, considered spitting back at Theia how caring for others was not a weakness, how being a murderer did not make Theia strong. But instead she just shook her head, alarmed at how brainwashed her former friend had become. Their road together ended here. Aylin would leave if she could, but she didn’t dare hope that Theia might follow.

”And weakness must be culled.”

Theia launched at her then, fangs flashing. Aylin wished she hadn’t been expecting it, but her easy dodge indicated that at least her body had been prepared for her friend’s betrayal. Aylin darted toward the door of the room, keeping her gaze trained on Theia as her friend continued to barrel toward her. ”Oh, so now you’re just going to kill me, Theia?” Aylin scoffed. ”That’s fucking rich.”

Aylin ducked into another room, spotting a window that a couple of werewolves were crawling toward, pursued by a number of Theia’s kind. Aylin had half of that vampire blood, but it meant nothing to her now. Her wand slipped into her hand and she flicked it at the window, shattering the glass. She turned her wand to Theia, who was still close behind. ”I can’t believe I fell for your stupid little act. You never cared about me, Theia. You only care about yourself.”

theia luxanna solas

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[theia luxanna solas]

❝ theia luxanna solas now we must choose a world smothered by midnight or ringed with flame Theia didn't miss the way Aylin's body immediately reacted to her pounce. The half-vampire's body flitted easily away, aided by the inhuman speed of her vampirism, as well as anticipation of Theia's movement. Aylin had known what the consequences of her betrayal would be, and had reacted accordingly... but, she still wanted to play the victim? Theia's anger only grew, along with her certainty that this was the only way things could have ended. Like Ivan had said, Aylin's weakness was inevitable. Aylin pivoted, taking off towards the door. Theia tore after her, unleashing all her rage and hurt. The woman that she loved, the person she had sacrificed so much for... the betrayal stung far less than Theia would have thought it would. She had told herself she would take no pleasure in taking Aylin out, should the betrayal come.  There was no hesitation like she thought there'd be. "Oh, so now you’re just going to kill me, Theia? That’s fucking rich." Aylin darted into a nearby room, and Theia heard the sound of shattering glass prior to rounding the corner. "I can’t believe I fell for your stupid little act. You never cared about me, Theia. You only care about yourself.” "I loved you, Aylin," Theia spat, charging forward. "That was never an act. I cared for you so deeply that I was willing to bring you into the coven when you were less than me," she snarled. "Your pathetic little human side had to get in the way, and that's no one's fault but your own." Theia stalked towards Aylin, hyper-aware of the wand she held tightly in her hand. "Come quietly, and it won't hurt as much." (tagged)⏤ aylin neoma feyaerts (WORD COUNT)⏤ 281 words (notes)⏤ <3

MADE BY MIZO

[aylin neoma feyaerts]

Cut me down
But it’s you who’ll have further to fall
Ghost town and haunted love

As Theia barreled toward her, Aylin couldn’t help but think of all the good times the two of them had shared, how the two kids in the castle seemed like strangers compared to the both of them now. Aylin had seen Theia’s rage before, but never directed at her, never fully. Being the target of it should have filled her with terror, but instead she found only clarity inside her body even as her mind reeled.

This was what Theia was, what she’d become. Some people claimed their lives were wholly different after they were Turned and Aylin had never fully bought into that. But Theia, for all her appearances, had become different. She’d picked her moments of showing it carefully, never pushing Aylin too far away as she’d morphed. And now? Now Theia could almost just be any other vampire attacking her. Almost.

”I loved you, Aylin. That was never an act. I cared for you so deeply that I was willing to bring you into the coven when you were less than me. Your pathetic little human side had to get in the way, and that’s no one’s fault but your own.”

For a moment, Aylin found herself touched by Theia’s words, her brief profession of love. But then that beautiful mouth continued its onslaught of brainwashed speech and Aylin knew there was no redemption for her in Theia’s eyes. She’d never stood a chance. “No, Theia,” she said firmly, even as she stepped away from her former friend’s charging form. “I loved you. For you, all of you, even with your flaws. You only loved who you wanted me to be, but I loved you. I still love you even though I hate you too. I might always love you. But you’re wrong about me, I’m not the one that’s weak.”

She felt a calm rush through her unexpectedly at her own words. Though she might have to repeat them to herself over and over, she knew now that she spoke truly. Weakness didn’t come in the form of mercy, in the form of empathy. Weakness was in the ones who didn’t hold those things dear. And the ones who let others determine their path. She almost felt sorry for Theia that she’d gotten so wrapped up in the whole thing that she couldn’t let it go.

”Come quietly, and it won’t hurt as much.”

At this, Aylin could only smile. Perhaps Theia really didn’t know her at all, only knew the sides of her that Aylin had dared to show these past few torturous years. Maybe on her own she’d be able to breathe again. There might be a shred of hope beyond these walls. If she could make it. “Oh Theia,” she replied, her voice a whisper in the room that darkened as half a dozen wands flickered out. “Don’t you know I’d rather hurt than give in?” And she launched herself out the window.

theia luxanna solas

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[theia luxanna solas]

❝ theia luxanna solas now we must choose a world smothered by midnight or ringed with flame Theia couldn't remember the last time she'd ever been so disappointed, so disgusted. What had happened to sweet, loving, affectionate Aylin? They had been girls together, had turned into women together, and none of this was fair. Why was it that she got to walk away, to leave her behind, to claim that she was the monster? Just the way that she was looking at her, with as much pity as she could muster, made Theia want to throw her through the wall. The more you love someone, the more you want to kill them... that was the saying that she'd heard spoken teasingly between couples before. She'd always found it silly... but now, as her hands twitched, fingers itching to wrap themselves around Aylin's pretty, slender neck, Theia understood it in full. Now, she just needed to put her out of her misery. She spouted something about how she was the one who had truly loved Theia, not the other way around - frankly, the words fell on deaf ears, turning to gibberish in the space between them. Theia was seeing red, quite literally, and no amount of guilt-tripping was going to make her see what Aylin seemed to think was the error of her ways. Darkness fell around them, though Theia's eyesight remained sharp. "Don't you know I'd rather hurt than give in?" Her former lover propelled herself through a nearby window, and Theia tore after her - only to have her wrists grabbed. She snarled, attempting to shrug off the noble witches or wizards that held her fast. What connection they had to Aylin, Theia didn't know, didn't care - likely, they were just being good. Oh, how sick Theia was of good. "Let go of me!" Theia screamed. "Aylin! Get back here, you fucking coward!" (tagged)⏤ aylin neoma feyaerts (WORD COUNT)⏤ 296 words (notes)⏤ <3

MADE BY MIZO

[aylin neoma feyaerts]

So long to the person
you begged me to be
She's down, she's dead

For a moment, freedom, sweet freedom. As she launched through the air, glass splintering around her, Aylin didn’t feel a thing but free. She could finally leave this wretched life, get out from under Theia’s thumb and Ivan’s brainwashing. Perhaps she could run away, far away, and be whoever it was she was meant to be. She’d done it, the exact thing she’d always been so terrified to do. She’d left. She was, at long last, free.

And then she came crashing to the ground.

The sickening crunch that accompanied Aylin hitting the terrace below Ivan’s second story window made her stomach churn with disgust. She felt her ankle twist awkwardly, and pain jolted through her right wrist even as she raised her left hand aloft, wand outstretched in search of the attacker she knew would still pursue. Dramatic exits could never be left as perfect as they were in the muggle movies she’d grown up with – life just wasn’t that easy.

”Let go of me! Aylin! Get back here, you fucking coward!”

What sweet mercy that some kind soul had managed to grab Theia, if even for a moment. Aylin could only hope that they could make it out as well, though she wouldn’t bet on it given Theia’s anger. Seeing her friend’s face just visible in the window, Aylin lowered her wand and made direct eye contact with her. You’re the coward, she thought, smirking as she gave her former friend a mock salute and disapparated.

Where she went was predictable, far too predictable. But there was just one thing she couldn’t bear to leave behind, no matter how much it cost her. A delicate little locket that she usually wore under her shirts and dresses, that had been left behind that night to better match their attire. Aylin landed on the doorstep she’d shared with Theia and tore the door open, rushing her way to her mother’s necklace.

theia luxanna solas

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[theia luxanna solas]

❝ theia luxanna solas now we must choose a world smothered by midnight or ringed with flame It was the cocky, smug little bit of eye contact that Aylin had given her before fleeing into the darkness that had made Theia absolutely feral. The hands that held her didn't matter for much longer - Theia had ripped them to shreds with a roar. She turned to the witch, teeth gnashing. There was no more elegance to her, no more delicate care put into the way she tore into her victim. She was a monster then, savage and brutal and inhuman, tearing into the witch without mercy. When Theia had finally come away from the mangled corpse, her face and the front of her dress were covered in blood. It didn't take a genius to figure out where Aylin would have gone, though Theia was surprised it had been that easy. The chaos from the party had spilled into the cold, London air, but Theia ignored everything as she made her way up to the apartment they once had shared. She was quiet, stealthy as she stalked up the stairs. Aylin hadn't closed the door in her hurry, and her back was to Theia when she finally entered the space. In an instant, Theia was flying forward. Her hand palmed the back of Aylin's head, slamming it down against the dresser she stood in front of. Her other hand came to hold Aylin's wrist, bashing it against the wood to force her to drop her wand. She kept her wrist pinned up by her head, using her other hand to grind Aylin's cheek into the top of the dresser. Theia leaned in close, a low growl trapped in her throat. "You're a fucking idiot," Theia snarled. "I want to rip your stupid fucking head off... but maybe I'll just Turn you instead," she threatened, holding Aylin as she struggled against her. Theia leaned in, inhaling deeply at her exposed neck. She smelled so sweet, like ripe fruit... "You could have just followed on your own... maybe I should have just bitten you so you didn't have a choice." (tagged)⏤ aylin neoma feyaerts (WORD COUNT)⏤ 339 words (notes)⏤ <3

MADE BY MIZO

[aylin neoma feyaerts]

So long to the person
you begged me to be
She's down, she's dead

Aylin yanked open the top drawer of her dresser, ripping open the little box in which she had stored the locket, her hands shaking as she rushed to get out of here. She was sure that Theia would follow, sure that she’d only have a minute at most to get what she could. If by some miracle Theia didn’t arrive, maybe she could grab some clothes, but Aylin was counting on her former friend following her. What she wasn’t counting on, though, was just how fast Theia could be.

Just as she thought she smelled a whiff of her, Theia was upon her, smashed her head so hard into the top of the dresser that Aylin saw stars and felt her own blood dripping from the side of her forehead. Theia bashed her left hand into the side of the dresser, causing her wand to clatter to the floor uselessly. Somehow, Aylin managed to hold onto the locket, the delicate gold chain wrapped between the less nimble fingers of her right hand.

”You’re a fucking idiot. I want to rip your stupid fucking head off… but maybe I’ll just Turn you instead.”

Aylin gasped in pain, immediately wriggling in the hopes that she could get free. Theia was so much stronger, and now growling at her with some sort of otherworldly feral strength. ”Theia,” Aylin gasped, hoping to appeal to whatever was left of the girl she’d been friends with. At this point, Aylin couldn’t be sure that this Theia held any resemblance to the person she knew.

”You could have just followed on your own… maybe I should have just bitten you so you didn’t have a choice.”

Aylin’s stomach sank at the words and she went limp in Theia’s grasp. So, this was it, either submit to being Turned and spend a million lifetimes brainwashed like the rest of them, or die here trying to fight it. She knew which one Theia would prefer. But Aylin, ever stubborn, found that even when death crept as close as it was now, that she still preferred it to the alternative.

She twisted hard and fast, slamming her left hand into Theia’s side as she slipped out from her grasp down toward the floor. Aylin pushed Theia as hard as she could away, stumbling onto the floor and grasping at her wand. She held it aloft in front of her, the one barrier between her and a certain death. Her other hand still held the locket, the last remnant of her beautifully mortal mother. ”You still want to brainwash me, control me,” she hissed, finding her voice and launching a jinx at the vampire. ”I’d still rather die.”

theia luxanna solas

MADE BY VEL OF GS