Fantasy AUs

[nerdietalk]

Comments

[phoenix_temple]

Then I’ll admit I’m a little relieved. [ She was very nervous to know someone’s life rested in her hands. ] I’m very… small to fight attackers. Father was a little younger than me when he started, though. I hope I can grow to be like he was.

[fluidgender]

Small's pretty generous. [Damn.]

What kinda fightin' skills did he teach ya?

[phoenix_temple]

[!! She straightens at this again, trying to seem taller than she is at 4’9”. ]

I know swordplay and archery. He was going to teach me hand to hand combat, but—

[ well. He died. ]

[fluidgender]

[Ranma's definitely an inch or two shorter. But she'll hit her growth spurt!!! She swears!!!]

Archery, huh. [She's fixing Fuu's glasses a long look, which sort of gives the impression of an intense gaze into Fuu's eyes.]

[phoenix_temple]

Yes! Father had a bow made for me.

[ Fuu’s gaze returned is sweet and friendly and warm. That’s Kaze’s kid for sure. ]

[fluidgender]

[That's so intimidating. She can't hold gaze that long. She cowards out, looking elsewhere.]

And swordplay's not nothing. How long you been working at that?

[phoenix_temple]

Oh, forever. Father taught my sister and I since we were very small. [ Kuu, though… she didn’t have the heart for it. ]

[fluidgender]

That ain't nothing then. Maybe you could almost bring a challenge to the family.

[Fuu would probably have heard that the Saotomes don't let their daughter fight.]

[phoenix_temple]

That seems like the opposite of what I’ve been hired for, actually. [ she doesn’t want to challenge anyone, let alone her boss. ]

[fluidgender]

They need one. It ain't right, none of the family but the old man being allowed to fight.

[phoenix_temple]

Wouldn’t it be best if no one fought? My father used to say it put everyone else in more danger to defend him.

[fluidgender]

Fighting doesn't hafta to be dangerous. It can be fun too.

[phoenix_temple]

I don’t think that being fun makes it less dangerous.

But it’s dangerous for you to be here like this. I only imagine the lords of the estate would be furious with a servant coming in the room like this.

[fluidgender]

[She looks around, thinking about a diplomatic answer for once.] ...Prolly.

They're looking around for the lady for a while though. We got time.

[phoenix_temple]

Still, I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble! Father said the lord is very strict. I’m not sure if that’s improved or worsened since his death.

[fluidgender]

Trust me, I'll be fine. And you're new and unsupervised. You should be sneaking a lay of the land. It'll impress everybody if you seem to know so much before ya even start.

[phoenix_temple]

I was told to wait here for the lord and young lady. I don’t want to misstep on my first day…

[fluidgender]

And you waited. They didn't say you couldn't do other things in-between waiting, did they?

[phoenix_temple]

I thought it was implied… Father said to do everything we could to not make the lord angry.

[fluidgender]

[She considers.]

...alright. So I'm gonna go put my dirty, muddy hands on all the expensive stuff.

[phoenix_temple]

W-wait, no please don’t! You’ll get in trouble as well.

[fluidgender]

Then I guess a guard better be near me to make sure I don't, huh?

[Opens up a door, smugly.]

[phoenix_temple]

[ Ooooh she looks so uncertain. ] At least tell me who you are…?

[fluidgender]

Who do you think I am? If you're bodyguarding, you're supposed to be able to pick up on strangers quickly, right?

[She's moving to step out.]

[phoenix_temple]

I just started! I don’t know anyone yet…

[ She’s following though. ]

But I don’t think you’re dangerous. Not seriously dangerous to the lady, anyway…