Fantasy AUs

[nerdietalk]

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[fluidgender]

[Its maybe more obvious that she's trying not to sit in the overwhelming thought space that is her father from her expression. But it's bizarrely easier for her to think about addressing it when it's happening to someone who isn't herself.

That feels wrong too. Like a dash of culpability.]

That's... gross. [Was the partnership of Fuu's parents decided by her grandparents...? The stormy cloud of generational pressures feels closer to the Earth than she likes.] Is Kuu... how is she doing?

[phoenix_temple]

… She’s mourning. We all are. [ Fuu clutches her father’s cloak close. ]

But she has more time until her duty. She’ll grow up and learn from mother, and I’ll train her children like father did for me.

[fluidgender]

[She grips her arm, uncomfortable.] ...and what about you? I mean... if there are choices you do have, which ones... would you want to make?

[She's not even really sure what she's asking. Hobbies or husbands or... some other h word?]

[phoenix_temple]

I was given a choice. Kuu and I were when we were younger. [ you’re 12 ] which of us would fulfill which role.

… but I do love to read.

[fluidgender]

Reading, huh. [She tries to keep the distaste out of her voice.] What kinda stuff?

[phoenix_temple]

Stories about other worlds. With more magic, or sometimes with technology we’ve barely ever dreamed of.

[fluidgender]

[She considers.] Can't say our library has much of that... Pops probably consider it silly.

But I'm sure we could work on fixin' that.

[phoenix_temple]

I likely won’t have much time to read. I’m to stay with you, after all.

[fluidgender]

'Course you will. Ya know how many boring things I'm dragged into with lots of free time?

And besides, not having "much" time to read isn't the same as no time.

[phoenix_temple]

I have to be alert! If something happened because I wasn’t paying attention, I’d never forgive myself.

[fluidgender]

Don't go leaping into this with that kind of energy day one, alright? Ya gotta save your energy.

[phoenix_temple]

Father taught me that this could be the most dangerous time of all— with him gone, I have to be ready to defend against those who would see it as weakness.

[fluidgender]

[She blinks because that's easier than showing the complexities of the emotions in her stomach.] That's... kinda intense.

[phoenix_temple]

[ She smiles though, warm and confident. ] Don’t worry, though. I’ll keep you safe.

[fluidgender]

It ain't me I'm worried about.

[Not that she's ready to put the words "worried" and "you" so close to each other either.]

[phoenix_temple]

You know I can fight. You shouldn’t have to worry at all.

[fluidgender]

I ain't worried, its just... concerning situation.

[She pronounced it with a drawl. "Sitch-ee-ation"]

[phoenix_temple]

You don’t need to be concerned…

[fluidgender]

I didn't say I was...

Just, ya know. Building up strength takes time and all that.

[phoenix_temple]

You can only build strength by pushing your limits!

[fluidgender]

Sure, but like... there's a little thing called overexerting yerself too.

[phoenix_temple]

You’re going to have to get used to this, lady Ranma.

[fluidgender]

Nuh uh. [Sticks out her tongue.]

[phoenix_temple]

At least for the rest of my life you will.

[fluidgender]

I don't hafta get used to nothing if I don't feel like it.