Fantasy AUs

[nerdietalk]

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[fluidgender]

He's always winning. Any time we talk, any time there's a fight, any time anyone's doing anything... he's finding ways to win it.

[phoenix_temple]

Your lord father? Is he truly so cruel to his own child?

[fluidgender]

Cruel? That makes it sound special...

[phoenix_temple]

Father said he was easily angered… but I thought it was just to his staff…

[fluidgender]

To a king, the world itself is his servant.

[She says it like its a statement often repeated. Its not her own words. Its his.]

[phoenix_temple]

He is no king. And I’m not his servant.

I’m yours.

[fluidgender]

[She shrugs.] He doesn't call himself the king with words, but... its there.

[Said as if he may as well be. From her eyes, the world she understands is under his control.]

That ain't the way he's talked about it.

[phoenix_temple]

What do you mean? What did he say?

[fluidgender]

[She squirms uncomfortably.] I mean, you know... basic stuff. That you're here to... make sure I'm following the path he's set out.

[phoenix_temple]

[ She puffs out her cheeks a bit. ]

Well that’s not true at all. And he should know better than anyone that you’re my lady. My father was his knight. I’m yours.

[fluidgender]

[She tilts her head, not quite believing.] Girls belong to their pops. And your pop belonged to my dad.

So. You belong to Pops.

[phoenix_temple]

… So he… never told you?

[ Fuu was under the assumption that Ranma would know about the curse. ]

[fluidgender]

Told... me what? [She blinks in true confusion.]

[phoenix_temple]

Why my father served him.

Father said it was tradition to tell the heir after the previous Hououji had fallen. He said you would understand when I came…

My lady Ranma, my sword, my life, my very soul belong to you and you alone. That’s the vow I will have to take.

[fluidgender]

[She blinks a few times, utter confusion in each one.]

...But I belong to Pops. So its sort of like belonging to him too.

[phoenix_temple]

[ She shakes her head. ] I’m bound only to you.

Just as my father only was bound to yours—we only remain until it is time for the next generation. When your heir and mine are ready… that’s when I’ll depart like father did. So… I’m here for you and you alone.

[fluidgender]

...But I belong to Pops.

[Wait, follow-up] Whaddya mean... depart?

[phoenix_temple]

You’re to be the head of your family. You no longer belong to him.

[ She looks away at the question. It should be obvious. ]

[fluidgender]

[She shakes her head. None of this makes any sense.]

Well, that ain't never gonna happen... he's always the head.

[phoenix_temple]

… Really? He hasn’t told you anything? Not about the Hououji family or the… magic?

[fluidgender]

...Is magic real?

[phoenix_temple]

[ Fuu stares. It’s her turn to blink stupidly. ]

Why do you think my father worked for yours?

[fluidgender]

Erm... for payment? I mean, we have staff who either work to pay off a debt or a criminal sentence but... he didn't seem the type for that.

[phoenix_temple]

The Hououji family is bound to the Saotome house. Each generation, our lives are yours. It’s been this way since before anyone can remember.

[fluidgender]

[She thinks about how far back she can remember.] At least ten years...

But that's... what's the point of that...?