Fantasy AUs

[nerdietalk]

Comments

[lowres]

Then it’s important you rest! It’s a long journey from the north…

[fluidgender]

You'll have to convince my wife of the same facts. I guess... you've never met her?

[lowres]

I did! The princess asked me to watch over her while she was in the capitol. I’m… sorry I did not do a very good job.

I’m glad she’s home. Everyone was very worried for her.

[fluidgender]

Who could do a good job under the circumstances? It'd have taken a whole army and that would've just made more problems.

You don't need to take on blame.

[lowres]

It would have been most difficult since I was here, after all…

But you really should rest and recover, your majesty.

[fluidgender]

Ah, I'm working on it. I can't let my legs atrophy either and sleeping for over ten hours already... it's indulgent.

And I'm more curious about you and Kaori. How things have been while I was gone...

[lowres]

The healers helped the princess heal well from her injuries. I made sure she was eating and sleeping well.

She must be ecstatic you’re home.

[fluidgender]

I'm beyond relieved. Her safety... it means the world.

And... yourself? I know things were... very scary for you as I left the capitol.

[lowres]

[ She shakes her head vigorously. ] I’m all right! Everyone takes very good care of me. [ They don’t hurt her actively at least. ]

[fluidgender]

Good. They'll have to answer to me if they weren't.

...at some point, when things are less hectic, we should... talk about what you want to do for the future.

[lowres]

… of course. [ She’s been thinking about this a lot. ]

I would not want to overstay my welcome. The king put you in a very difficult situation by sending me.

[fluidgender]

I don't think it would possible for that to happen. And I think he put you in a much more stressful situation.

[lowres]

Is there somewhere I should go?

[fluidgender]

Should go...?

Well, really that depends on what you want.

[lowres]

I don’t imagine I can stay in the palace. [ She’s not a royal and the servants seem to avoid her when they can, despite her best efforts. ]

[fluidgender]

If that's your preference... then our doors are forever open to you.

[lowres]

… I’m afraid I don’t understand. Is that not why you wanted to speak with me?

[fluidgender]

[They rub their neck.] Frankly, I was worried you might feel like a prisoner, trapped and relying on us. It... didn't seem fair not to provide you with a better option if you wanted one.

[lowres]

I haven’t felt trapped. You and the princess have been very kind.

[fluidgender]

Then, as long as you want it, our home is your home. And if you don't want it anymore... we can get you whatever you might need to build a new one.

[lowres]

I… don’t think I understand. I’m not royal. I don’t serve here…

[fluidgender]

[Ranma puts some hands on their hips, humming thoughtfully.]

Well... I've been around a long time and met a lot of people. And at this point... I guess the difference between royal and not royal really doesn't really make sense to me anymore. Why shouldn't you be able to stay if we enjoy your company?

[lowres]

The king only ever allowed his advisors and servants to stay in the castle. [ and her, as a ward. ] He said it was a privilege of royalty.

[fluidgender]

Psh. The only rules that exist are the ones royals make and too many of them exclusively make rules that only have the purpose of hurting people. The rules shouldn't get in the way of helping someone in need.

During the war, Cephiro's side used royal estates as hospitals for the sick and injured. That's the sort of thing we should be doing in peacetime too.

[lowres]

Do you still need that many hospitals? [ a lot if them were probably donated to temples to help people who needed places to stay after they were displaced by the war. ]