Fantasy AUs

[nerdietalk]

Comments

[lowres]

[It's too soon for anyone to arrive fast enough. Just a couple days away.

Fuu is hesitant... But she'll grasp the pendant, holding it close to her.]

... I don't... think I have long to talk, my love.

[missedorientation]

[Catra is willing to pay people so much to get Nia there faster than any expert can conceive]

What... what are we going to do...?

[Ranma can't verbalize the words "they" going to do. Its already kinda clear.]

[hououji]

[She sounds... just so tired.]

... I don't know. I've tried to think of something, but--my head... feels strange in this place...

[fluidgender]

...Maybe... don't think too hard for now. Just focus on rest and restoration.

[hououji]

I don't think we have the time for rest, anymore...

[fluidgender]

Then... then what's something you want? A-anything you can think of...?

[They're so... painfully desperate to offer anything of use to her, even knowing that they can't.]

[hououji]

Don't give up. Not yet. [It's the firmest sounding she's been since they connected.]

[fluidgender]

...Alright. That's one thing... I know I can do.

[They think.]

[hououji]

Every time it’s looked hopeless, we’ve made it through. We’ll make it through this.

Try to keep Kaori’s spirits up. Don’t let her spiral.

[fluidgender]

That one's easier said than done.

And be sure... to keep your own advice...

[hououji]

I will get our daughter home if it is the last thing I do.

[fluidgender]

It better not be. The last thing you do. It'll be the thousandth to last thing you'll do.

[hououji]

I only hope you can forgive me if I can't keep that promise...

[fluidgender]

Like I could hold anything against you...

[hououji]

With this... I'd understand.

[fluidgender]

I think I have some different targets of vitriol in this case.

[hououji]

Don't let your temper get to you, love.

[fluidgender]

I don't have the best track record there.

[hououji]

This is important. We have to make sure we still give Kaori and Adora they future they deserve.

[fluidgender]

...Alright. I'll promise to try.

[hououji]

Maybe we’ll have the favor of the gods one more time.

[fluidgender]

We've been lucky so far...

[hououji]

Pray for our safe return...

[But the day Nia is set to leave, while Nia is trying to follow them around to see if there's anything at all she can do, Nia's bangle, the one that Ranma has been using to speak to Fuu, goes so warm to the touch it's hot.]

[fluidgender]

[Ranma's terrified to answer it. But they do all the same.]

[hououji]

[It's not audio this time. It's a video--a platform. It's early enough in the morning that it's still dark in the north, but the lanterns keep it lit enough to be visible. The fae king sits high on a throne, watching the proceedings.

Fuu at the back of the platform, shackled. And Adora at the front. Neither looks... good. Exhausted, dazed, weak.

Adora is just left to stare, quietly, at a literal chopping block as the Chancellor reads her crimes.

Oh this is bad. Nia tugs on Ranma's sleeve. They don't want to see this, they have to look away, get away. It isn't fair at all to make them watch this.]