Fantasy AUs

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[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.]

[hououji]

[Fuu is a bright presence in a way very different from her father. While he was always ready with a laugh to cheer others up, Fuu is a warm calm--the kind of person who could convince anyone that things would be all right. She's like a cool breeze beckoning night after a hot day.

There are a few incidents Fuu never reports to Ranma. Foiled attacks, blades crossed, injuries sustained and healed and hidden. And true to Fuu's original explanation, the only time she's ever injured without immediate healing are spars she offers to Ranma. She's good enough to never be hurt badly, but those are the only time Ranma ever sees her bandaged and healing.

The horse incident just left Fuu in giggles, though she did manage to pull herself together enough when they were discovered to explain "well, my lady is refined enough that she still shows grace when in such a state! It's quite a talent."

At every moment, she's true to her oath: she's always on Ranma's side.]

[fluidgender]

[Its not subtle: Ranma likes Fuu's laugh. She tries to get it out of her any chance she gets. Her general smug smile always gets a little bit wider whenever she hears it.]

[phoenix_temple]

[ Ranma will get her laugh easy and often.

Though she probably still hasn’t endeared herself to Genma because she hasn’t tried. She has to be very stoic around him as much as she really doesn’t like it. She’s hopefully getting more successful at protecting Ranma from him. ]

[fluidgender]

[Genma, at least, travels a lot. He can only stand to be around his party of cruel guards and clearly doesn't enjoy being around the staff and the family.

Nodoka is tough in different ways. She's stern beneath a pleasant smile and makes various vicious comments disguised as "polite observation." She makes sweeping, broad punishments that impact people in ways she can even see. Genma likes to see the damage in front of him, Nodoka will arrange things that hurt Ranma and the staff outside of her field of vision. Sometimes its hard to tell if she's even aware she's doing it.]

[phoenix_temple]

[ Fuu dislikes them both so much! She does everything in her power to make things easier for others when that kind of thing happens. ]

[fluidgender]

[Its part of why Fuu's warmth is such a boon to the house. Its a breath of fresh air. Ranma is always willing to help if Fuu asks for support but... that depends if Fuu ever mentions these problems.

On the broader scope of things, Ranma's clearly often bored at most social functions. She still spars, although Nodoka tries to keep schedules busy to try and curb that where she can. She hangs around with horses a lot. She'll arrange for Fuu to have one too honestly. She figures if riding around is the main hobby she's "allowed" to have, she might as well make sure Fuu has all the tools to keep a close pace.]

[phoenix_temple]

[ As a guard she has to stay close! So of course she will need a horse.

Fuu’s favorite moments are when they’re alone together. She doesn’t have to keep up such an air of being strong and confident. She’s only fourteen after all. ]

[fluidgender]

[Ranma finds herself treasuring moments like that. She'll even give ground to her mom on missing some sparring sessions in favor of just general free time. Just pockets where Fuu can just relax and maybe even read.

She might spend the time lifting weights but. She still likes to see that freedom.]

[phoenix_temple]

[ She likes spending the time WITH ranma, So she typically avoids reading when it’s just the two of them.

She still visits her father’s grave often. But she visits her home much more rarely. ]

[fluidgender]

[She gets huffy if she thinks Fuu is neglecting her hobbies though. Sometimes she'll even force a book in Fuu's hands, even if she doesn't even understand what the core genre or premise is.]

[phoenix_temple]

[ Fuu laughs a little at this. ]

I read before bed, my lady. I just want to enjoy our time together while we have it.

[fluidgender]

Why throw away more hobby time if you're asking for it? 'Specially since I know you were so excited about the, uh...

[She gazes at the cover. It has a beach on it.]

...Whale facts?

[Probably not that.]

[phoenix_temple]

We don’t get a lot of time together alone! Of course I’d like to spend it together.

It’s what friends do, isn’t it?

[fluidgender]

[Pink!] Well... yeah...

But I like it when you're getting all kinds of chances to enjoy yourself. I ain't annoyed to see ya read while we're hanging out.

[hououji]

You realize I enjoy myself when we spend time together, don't you? If you're happy, I'm happy.

[She's very genuine about that.]

[fluidgender]

Well, yeah... [Even pinker.] But... you don't read unless ya think you're safe to.

So I'm always to see ya reading too.

[hououji]

[She sighs dramatically.] I suppose you're right, but the last thing I need is for your father to find me reading.

[She's drawn his ire before, certainly. I can't imagine the repercussions were pleasant, considering their first meeting ended with her bleeding.]

[fluidgender]

[A smile crawls up her face.] Its always so surprising to hear you sigh like that after you have to spend a day being serious. Do it again.

[A distraction from thinking about Genma? Definitely.]

[phoenix_temple]

It hurts to know you think I’m capable of not being serious, my lady.

[fluidgender]

That's part of the concern, Fuu. You could stand to have more fun.

[phoenix_temple]

You know I have fun, my lady. That’s most of the reason your father hates me so much.

[fluidgender]

He hates everyone.

You only seem to be having fun when I'm having fun. I think that's too much vicarious living. You should steal more horses.

[phoenix_temple]

I would never steal! And I’m only having fun when you are because it’s hard to be happy when my friends aren’t.