Fantasy AUs

[nerdietalk]

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[lowres]

[ She’s going where she’s lead, silent and scared. But she can hear footsteps now. She doesn’t know if she’s right to hope… ]

[fluidgender]

[Ranma's the one who stumbles onto this scene.

Nia's never seen anger on the king's face before.

But its a dangerous anger indeed.]

Let. Her. Go.

[lowres]

It’s all right, your highness. I know what the king asked for…

[fluidgender]

Nia...

I don't care what he asked for. I'm not going to do it. You don't deserve that. No one deserves that.

Sire-

Let. Her. Go.

[lowres]

[ She wobbles only briefly, until she’s unable to hold back her tears. She can’t understand why they’re being so kind to her. They only just met. ]

[fluidgender]

[The blade might lightly scratch her neck.]

The queen... your daughter... do you not care at all..?!

[Oh, he gets angrier. Ranma pulls out their blade, pointing it at Daveed.]

My wife... taught me... that a blade should only be drawn to protect others.

Don't make me use it for another reason than that.

[lowres]

W-wait—he—he only wanted to protect the queen, didn’t he? [ no more death. Please no more death. ]

[fluidgender]

...I know that. And I understand. Believe me, I do.

But son... you're scaring her. We're scaring her.

[Daveed trembles.]

[lowres]

Please don’t hurt anyone… please.

[fluidgender]

[Daveed... lets go. Crumbling to the ground.

Ranma drops their sword quickly, running over to grab Nia.]

[lowres]

[ Nia shakes all over, barely stopping herself from crumbling, too, by holding onto Ranma’s shirt. ]

I’m so sorry your majesty. The queen… miss Adora…

[fluidgender]

Its alright, Nia... Its alright. Its not your fault. I promise. [They pat her back gently, trying to give her warmth and support.]

[lowres]

What’s going to happen to everyone?

[fluidgender]

We'll figure it out. I promise.

[lowres]

… W-why… aren’t you doing what he asks, though? Y-you and Princess Kaori both…

[fluidgender]

...They mean the world to me. And a decade ago... I'd probably take the deal.

But that isn't fair. Its not right. And a king... has to do what's right.

[lowres]

[ She sniffles, rubbing her eyes. ]

… What can I do to help you bring them home? I-I know more about the fortress than anybody.

[fluidgender]

Nia... that's not your responsibility. You're a child. You should be... playing games or exploring interests.

You shouldn't have to think about things like this.

[lowres]

[ She shakes her head. ] I-I want to help. I-I am almost as old as you and the queen were when you married. If I can help so no one else has to be hurt, I want to.

[fluidgender]

And do you think Fuu and I should have been through what we went through at that age? The plays haven't painted a pretty picture...

[lowres]

No, but it is very different to just help isn’t it?

[fluidgender]

[They sigh, dragging a hand through their braid.]

...I was planning on hiding you in the countryside. Making it seem like you were deceased to the king. I wasn't expecting him to be this forceful.

I worry... that even asking for help will put you in more danger.

[lowres]

I will be in danger no matter what. It’s not safe to lie to a fae.

But maybe I can help your family to be in less danger. The princess tried to protect me… I owe her that much.

[fluidgender]

[Ranma never knows what to do with this kind of emotion. They think about times Catra has been upset... How did they distract from big emotions...?]

You can worry about that later. Not right now.

[They wave some guards over to take Daveed away. They don't know about Catra yet, but she's getting medical attention.]

[lowres]

[ Nia wants to see her. She’s going to show up as soon as possible to the medial wing. ]