Fantasy AUs

[nerdietalk]

Comments

[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. ]

[fluidgender]

[Ranma helps wipe off Nia's face, gives her some pats, and squeaks her nose. Stupid reactions is the tactic they've got to trauma,

But they're v worried about Kaori too and is happy to head there.]

[lowres]

[ This is new for her! She’s never known an affectionate parent at all. She swallows her tears, she doesn’t want Kaori to worry about her at all.

She peeks her head around the doorframe carefully. ]

[missedorientation]

[Kaori immediately tries to get up out of bed when she spots Nia and has to be pushed down by the nurse.]

Hey- come on, I'll be fine...

[Her leg is broken.]

[lowres]

You’re hurt! [ Nia is absolutely horrified. ]

[missedorientation]

I'm fine! [Her arms were bleeding.] It was nothing crazy...

[lowres]

It was! I-I didn’t want you to get hurt because of me…

[missedorientation]

You didn't hurt me, a short fall hurt me. Big difference.

Kaori.

[lowres]

When did you fall?! Can I help? Can I get you something?

[missedorientation]

I'll be fine! What about Daveed, are we killing him?

[lowres]

I-I hope not! He's just scared...

[But she looks to Ranma, suddenly terrified? She doesn't want to be the reason anyone dies.]

[missedorientation]

Two dead men is already too many. We don't need any more blood on our hands.

But he will be kept far away from you both... and from my temper.

[lowres]

… I’m so sorry about them. I haven’t had a chance to say it. The queen said she trusted them with her life.

[fluidgender]

There's nothing to apologize for. I shall... have to make arrangements. For the families.

And I shall have to contact... the king. If I'm going to invent a fabrication, it needs to be a convincing one.

[lowres]

You should never lie to a fae, sir. It could cost everyone their lives. It’s dangerous.

[fluidgender]

Maybe not a direct lie. Just implications without confirmations.

[lowres]

… I don’t—

From the letter he sent. I don’t believe he will return them. If you tell him I’ve died—

He only says he will speak with you about them if you’ve killed me. I—I think the king will use it as a declaration of war. If he does that, he’ll be able to execute Miss Adora for treason, and may assassinate the queen in retaliation. It’s a strategy used in history texts… by an ancient Sefiran king.