Fantasy AUs

[nerdietalk]

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[fluidgender]

[He lets her move around without trouble but he'll eventually say: "Ya failed test 2. Ya can't be sure I wouldn't have close the closet on you."]

[phoenix_temple]

Test…? What do you mean? [ She is so confused, just focused on making tea at this point. ]

[fluidgender]

["Ya know how many new hires get locked in closets by jealous staffers? They call it hazing, I call it stupid.

Always gotta be aware of every person in every room."]

[phoenix_temple]

[ Fuu blinks at him. She tilts her head. ]

I didn’t take you for stupid. You recognized me—so you must have been aware of my father’s skill and that he would have passed much of it down. You know there’s nothing to be jealous of since you know the lord is angry with me. And you know the lady is waiting on me, so it would be a foolish choice on your part.

[ She adds the water to the leaves now, careful to make sure everything is submerged. ]

Being aware of everyone doesn’t always mean being suspicious of everyone. It’s making the judgements on character as well.

[fluidgender]

[He's surprised but not offended, grunting in consideration.

"...Could flip it the other way around then. Admitting that the lord's angry with ya? Some might take that as permission to harass you in order to prop themselves up."]

[phoenix_temple]

It was a judgement call.

You left a card for my father, didn’t you? [ She peeks up through her bangs. ] Thank you. For taking care of him while he was here. I’m glad he had people who loved him.

[fluidgender]

["Don't know nothing about it."

He says, tsuning.

"Just saying. Folks love to know who rules over who. Gotta be careful 'bout it."]

[phoenix_temple]

[ Oh. She’s gone quiet again, focusing on the tea, making sure the leaves don’t steep too long. She hesitates when setting a tray, on whether or not to bring a second cup.

She finally does. She can say it’s a spare if she gets questioned about it. ]

… Thank you for helping me. I shouldn’t leave my lady much longer.

[fluidgender]

["We get a huge stock of tea leaves every month and we never get to use 'em when Lady Nodoka is out of town. It'll be easier for me to shirk some of these off onto you rather than let my more important supplies get shoved out."

Aka. Fuu can come by for more anytime.]

[phoenix_temple]

[ Fuu bows very politely! And very gracefully considering the tray she carries! ]

Thank you very much!

[ And she’s returning to Ranma! ]

[fluidgender]

[Ranma's flopped around a bit, but still distinctly not out of bed. Hard to tell if she's even changed clothes since yesterday.]

[phoenix_temple]

[ Fuu has to balance the tray carefully to open the door. But she sets it down quietly. ]

Is your throat still bothering you?

[fluidgender]

I... guess a little.

[phoenix_temple]

This should help. It shouldn’t be very bitter—you don’t have to drink much but it should help the pain.

[fluidgender]

...right. Did you... get something for yourself?

[Is that how you ask about other people.]

[phoenix_temple]

I brought two cups… I’m not sure if you wanted to share…

[ Since ranma seems either terrified of or disgusted by her.

She’s starving still, though. ]

[fluidgender]

That sounds... fine.

[She hasn't really thought about food but it is occurring to her that she's missed most of the day already. She rubs her forehead, trying to get her bearings.]

Was Chef Bucco awake downstairs to show you around? [Someone should've given Fuu a proper tour. A tour that didn't involve stabbings.]

[phoenix_temple]

Someone did help, though I didn’t catch his name.

… I’m not sure he liked me much. I suppose it makes sense. My father was such a large presence, and I can’t… fill that space right now.

[fluidgender]

He acts that way to everybody. You shouldn't take it personal.

[phoenix_temple]

He helped my find the tea things, regardless. So I’ll thankful. That was what was important.

[ She carefully, gracefully pours Ranma’s tea. It’s sweet, warm and comforting, and she adds just a little honey to help her throat. ]

[fluidgender]

[She'll watch the process in something resembling interest.]

Never really understand how people pour that without splashing anything.

[phoenix_temple]

You have to have a steady hand. Father actually taught me. He said it was one of the greatest acts of service—a gift of warmth and rest to serve someone else.

But mama was in the room, so it could have been his way of appeasing her.

[fluidgender]

[She can't hide a laugh at that, and then fails to hide her own surprise that she can laugh given everything.]

Real smooth talker, huh?

[phoenix_temple]

He was. It always got him into trouble, but it got him back out of it, too.

[ Her vision is blurring with tears again. She tries to swallow them. ] My sister took after him like that.

[fluidgender]

...sounds like you did too.