Fantasy AUs

[nerdietalk]

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[fluidgender]

[Huffs arrogantly.] Obviously! It'd be horrible to leave a situation like this...

[phoenix_temple]

[ She claps her hands once, pleasantly. ] Good! Then it’s decided. You don’t need to be upset any longer, as we’ll improve the situation together!

[fluidgender]

Yeah!

[She pauses, frowning, double-taking at Fuu. Wait. That sounds a lot like she flipped her frustration into some kind of optimistic positive...]

[phoenix_temple]

[ She beams and giggles softly at the double take. ]

[fluidgender]

Well ain't you awful proud of yourself...

[phoenix_temple]

I’m very good at helping people be optimistic.

[fluidgender]

[Huffs again!]

I'm changing for dinner- you didn't get the last word on this!!

[phoenix_temple]

Do you need me to accompany you? Or should I find staff kitchens?

[fluidgender]

I can dress myself, I ain't that spoiled.

[phoenix_temple]

I mean to dinner!

[fluidgender]

Oh. [She thinks about it. Thinks about putting Fuu into close proximity to Pops again so soon.] ...Ah figure its fine. Probably better for ya to meet more people, I think.

[phoenix_temple]

I won’t be expected to be there?

[fluidgender]

Its dinner at home, the room's already gonna be full with waiting staff. If we had guests or we were at other houses, it'd be another thing but. Right now its fine.

[phoenix_temple]

If you’re certain…

I’ll see you tomorrow then?

[fluidgender]

[She lets herself be indulgent, bowing to Fuu.] Tomorrow.

[phoenix_temple]

[ She jumps right out of her skin. ] D-don’t bow to me?!

[fluidgender]

[Oh that just makes her grin wider.] Oh, so I can surprise you!

[phoenix_temple]

You’re a noble! I should be the one bowing?!

[fluidgender]

If I'm so special, I think it means I can do what I like?

[phoenix_temple]

It’s improper though…

[fluidgender]

Improper, huh...

[She puts a finger to her lips and gives Fuu a wink.] Our secret then, right?

[phoenix_temple]

[ She still looks a little uneasy. ] You promise?

[fluidgender]

I promise.

[The first of many secret ways Ranma will try to fluster Fuu, without a doubt.]

[phoenix_temple]

[ Fuu… settles after a time. Days into weeks into months, she becomes a constant presence in Ranma’s life. She stays upbeat as much as she can, and when at all possible she makes sure she’s between Ranma and Genma.

She gets taller, over the next two years, but not by much. She does, however, get much more likely to tease Ranma, good-naturedly. ]

[fluidgender]

[The staff and the wider noble community get used to Fuu, although the former take greater notice than the latter. The head chef is clearly quite fond of Fuu, in his gruff way. The butlers and other guards a little more terse and irritable. A few maids are outright nasty, but most are pleasant. There's a poison taste tester utilized by a few nobles that is happy to exchange book recs to Fuu whenever their paths cross.

Ranma, despite her proclamations, does... change a bit in the two years too. She's less rough and tumble, she complains less when forced into a fancy outfit. Sometimes she actually enjoys a dress or looking put together actually, especially if her ego gets to receive some compliments.

Or if she can find a way to tease Fuu.

Of course, anyone pointing out that Ranma's "changed" is a ticket to trouble. There's a visit to some noble estate where Nodoka couldn't help but spend time praising that her daughter's "finally become refined." Within twenty minutes, Ranma left the area for mingling, ripped off the ends of the dress, and rode a noble's horse in circles on muddy ground. Outfit and reputation sufficiently ruined for a little while.

But she stayed within the horse pen so Fuu wouldn't have to chase after her.

One maid jokes that Ranma would only change for Fuu, not for anyone else. Another member of staff chides her for such an audacious claim above station, but there's some laughter that indicates other people believe it.]