Fantasy AUs

[nerdietalk]

Comments

[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.

[fluidgender]

...I suspected as much. I couldn't think of any reason why he...

[...why the king didn't kill Nia himself.]

To be firm with him risks more harm to Fuu and Adora, but... I'm not sure what other path awaits.

[lowres]

[ Nia closes her eyes, sitting on the edge of Catra’s bed. ]

… I could return home. If I do that, he won’t be able to say I’ve been hurt. I can find a way to help the queen and the princess escape.

[fluidgender]

Putting you back in the lion's den.

[lowres]

But saving your wife and daughter, and preventing a war a little longer.

[fluidgender]

I'm not sure it's a victory I could stomach if an innocent died in the process.

[lowres]

I have friends in the fortress. I might be able to escape when they’re free.

[fluidgender]

And again, putting you in danger.

[lowres]

Someone will always be in danger. It isn't fair that your family should be apart like this.

[fluidgender]

But its fair for you to get hurt?

[lowres]

... This is the results of actions my country is taking. Regardless of being a ward or a princess--

It's my duty to protect my people from war. I've wanted for little my entire life. I'm not frightened of the King.

[fluidgender]

Even so... its bad enough my children are trying to bear that responsibility. I don't like to see a third put through it.

[lowres]

It's a burden you also had to bear, wasn't it? For it to have mattered at all that you and the queen took it on, we all have to consider what actions we can take to maintain peace.

[fluidgender]

...are you sure you aren't one of ours...?

[lowres]

[She tilts her head, confused.]

What do you mean?

[fluidgender]

[Shakes their head.] If I didn't know better, you'd be like an exact double of the queen...

All the more reason you shouldn't be in the center of this.