Setting
Default Location for Into The Woods
Minimap
northwest |
north |
northeast |
west |
You are here. |
east |
southwest |
south |
southeast |
Noraneko is a part of 
Into The Woods.
8 Characters Here
Shiro [739] "Yes your majesty."
Ayanna Filia [738] "My name's Aya! Let's be very good friends, okay?"
Cress Winter [738] "That's not a Princess, that's my cousin!"
Ellen Winter [737] "Which me is the real me? What role do I have to play?"
Yui Sylphie [6] "There's no service here!"
Kuro Desmoro [6] "I'll bring the ka-boom!"
Leon West [3] WIP
Azrele Selvin [2] WIP
Start Character Here »
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βIt's time to break the umbilical cord. I don't need you anymore.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
Narcia was tired of this. Everything was going wrong, and nothing was really working. Was it a mistake to send Cress to Tartaria? Should she have thought up a different strategy? Nee decided to let Shiro deal with Kora, because everyone knew Nee would never want to try to get through to that stubborn idiotic girl. The ice queen sighed, taking up her phone, There were things to discuss, and time was running out. With Itward and Xion on the case, she was doing all she could from Ashia. But that didn't mean help couldn't come from elsewhere, right? Una was allegedly on the case, with her two loyal servants hopefully doing what they could.
First was Princess Cumin of Etruria. Nee called her up and... found Cumin in the bath on her holo. She gave a half smile at Nee, not really even bothering to cover herself up. "Hello! What do you need, Queen Narcia?" The girl asked and Nee couldn't think of anything for a brief moment. And then she punched her leg. No, this was not the time to freak out about a naked Cumin, this was the time to deal with rescuing Cress from whatever mess she was stuck in - if she was even still alive. As powerful as Heron was, she was still just one soldier. And one soldier couldn't solve everything alone.
"I know very well Etruria has the best spies in all of Ourania." Narcia said, deciding to not directly look at Cumin, who didn't seem bothered in the slightest. It was funny. A nation meant to be the most honorable and sporting citizens that never lied, ever, but almost no one knew that the 'no lying' clause only applied within Etruria's borders. They could lie whenever they wanted outside, and Etrurians were excellent at that. In fact, all of Etruria's 'relief forces' that were sent were all secretly spies. While they handed out goods, they also collected information and intel to bring back. Cumin nodded at that. "...I won't deny that." She said evasively and shrugged. "What do you need, Nee?" So Narcia updated her on the current situation, and the Etrurian Princess nodded, ready to help.
It was decided that Cumin would continue her searches, but one thing she knew for sure so far. "Be careful. Whoever this Jezebeth is, not even my spies have any idea what she looks like. The only one who seems to be in contact with her is Astor." There was a serious expression but it was almost hard to take seriously, due to her being naked. "Jezebeth knows what she's doing. She might not even be in Tartaria anymore." Narcia swallowed that information with unease. "She's going to want to go after you eventually, so be careful. We need you alive too." Cumin flashed a smile and then stuck her tongue out. "I'll do my best. For the sake of peace and perverted Ashian queens!" And with that, the call ended.
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βI hate you. I hate myself, I can't stand it anymore. Please look at me, please look at me!β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#30b818 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #d1ca00γ
|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#30b818 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #d1ca00γ
|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||
Kora had enough. This was it. She was done. She just didn't care anymore. Cress could go die for all she cared, it didn't matter anymore. Heron was strong, right? She was infallible! That's what everyone thought, anyways. If Heron was so strong, then she could handle everything on her own, without any help. Fine. Kora stomped out, she was at her limit. She wasn't going to stand for this crap anymore. It's not like anyone ever really cared about her in the first place. Nee said it herself. No one had time for people who were busy feeling sorry for themselves. There was no one left in her life she could count on, so that was the end of that. At the soonest opportunity, she'd get out of Ashia and who knows what would come after that? Whatever it was, she'd never come back to this hellhole.
Then someone grabbed onto her leg and Kora saw her leg disappear from view, going invisible. If Shiro was saying anything, Kora couldn't hear it, but she could feel the pup's mouth on her leg moving. Well, this was a problem, wasn't it? She couldn't kick Shiro off, because she still respected the girl. The only person in all of Ashia that she didn't hate. So the wolf stood there and then she saw the cloak wrapping around her too, enveloping her in, and now she could hear what the pup had to say. The girl looked frantic, desperate even, and the wolf couldn't help but wonder why Shiro cared so much. Was it just like Cress, where she pretended to care but in the end only cared for herself?
Please don't leave. Those were Shiro's words to her, begging her not to leave, desperate enough to run out and grab her leg and then her middle like this. "Give me a reason." Kora hissed angrily. "The longer I stick around, the more I'm gonna have to see Cress's stupid face. I'm gonna have to see Heron's arrogant I'm-better-than-you act, I'm gonna have to deal with Nee's coldness and I've had it. I'm done. I can't deal with them anymore." It was the truth, wasn't it? "what do you even see in Narcia, anyways? She's so cold to everyone, all she cares about are results. She's cruel. What the heck is even good about her, anyways?"
Kora almost wanted to laugh. She was Shiro's only friend? "What about Wren? Or Cress? They're your friends, aren't they?" The wolf snapped at the pup, feeling vicious and cruel. She wouldn't kick Shiro away, though. The girl suffered enough violence. "I'm a killer, Shiro. I fight with everyone. Why do you call me a friend, anyways?" Shiro was crying and Kora couldn't for the life of her figure out why. "I just have bad memories of this place. I'm sick of Ashia palace. Makes me want to vomit just saying the name." But then Shiro mentioned a name. Nio. So the girl was that afraid of losing friends? So she sighed, making no promises, but pat Shiro on the head. "You've got lots of people who care about you, all of which are better than me. You've got a girlfriend who would do anything for you. You don't need me either." In a lower voice, she added. "Doubt Nee would let me ever talk to you again, anyways, not after that fight."
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βLet your soul take you where you long to be.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
Heron put her down, they had been making much better progress now that Cress wasn't walking, but it still wasn't enough. "Hey, I see something." Cress squinted in the heat, her cheeks were flushed and it was clear she was dehydrated. She couldn't eat the food packets, her body wouldn't let her consume solids. Cress was fine though, while the others ate, she took sips of water, knowing that with this heat, they were going to be eating more to sustain energy. "This is my fault," Cress said as she capped her water. "If I had been paying attention and hadn't been thinking of my own problems, I would have noticed what was going on around us." Cress didn't know what else she could do, they had run out of songs to sing and mostly everyone was tired. Cress knew if they stopped again before nightfall, they wouldn't make enough progress. They had to account for a half a day of missing work if they wanted to make it to the city.
"It could be a mirage," Finnley stood to go see what it was. Cress wondered if she was going to die out here. The body could last a month without food, three days without water. "We should check it out, it's on the way anyways." Heron crumpled up her food packet and threw it on the ground, it was biodegradable, so there was no need to scold her. "Come on," Heron knelt down and Cress sort of awkwardly fell onto her back from the stump of dead desert tree she had been sitting on. "Let's go see the mirage," Cress said and they began walking again. They had shed Heron's bag of belongings since it turned out all the knight had packed was uniform and magazines with pictures of scantily clad women. Heron had wrapped her uniform jacket around her head like a turban.
Nee wouldn't let them die out here. No doubt her big sister was already panicking, sending out every fleet they had. Kora would probably be sorry now, she would come with the rescuers and no doubt beg for forgiveness. Who was Cress kidding? Kora wouldn't come. It would probably take Cress dying for Kora to realize that Cress had put her on medical leave out of concern for her. No, that would never be enough either. Kora had ripped her heart in two and eaten that half. The other half belonged to Heron. Heron who treated her like a princess, Heron who had a regard for her own life. Heron who was a knight and came from a noble house. In truth, none of the latter things mattered to Cress. She didn't care if you had a pedigree or if you were a mutt, because at the end of the day, Cress considered herself a mutt.
They were chasing shadows, the mirage really was just a mirage. "A trick of the desert, let's stay sharp everyone!" There was slight disappointment of course, but Cress had known not to get her hopes up. They were making better time at least, Heron was pushing on, not even breaking a sweat underneath the overbearing sun. Perhaps it was the motivational kisses she stole every hour, or maybe the fact that Cress's chest was pressing into her back, but Heron seemed almost overjoyed if anything. "Do you know something I don't?" Cress inquired and Heron shook her head. "I'm just glad we can be together." Heron replied and Cress had a feeling it was something else.
"Heron, what's that?" Cress asked. Heron grinned, "That, Princess, is our hideout." It was an old airship, broken down, but it was shelter from the sun and as Heron opened up the doors to reveal the dusty inside, the cool, stale air wafted out to them. "We should stay here for now and rest up, then move at night so that we don't have to walk in the heat." Cress nodded her head, but then realized. "The animals?" She inquired and Finnley raised a box of matches left out on the table. "We can use these to ward them off." Finally, they had some semblance of a plan.
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βYes Mistress.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
Shiro was holding onto Kora for dear life, as though she were a life raft floating in the middle of a drifting ocean. Shiro felt like if she let go, she would lose Kora for good. "Heron isn't better than you, she's different, but not better." Shiro managed to get out, wondering if Kora could feel the wetness of her tears. "Heron is touchy and a pervert, she's not gonna protect Cress like you can." Shiro shook her head. "She'll violate her and do the same things her brother did!" It was probably a lie, Shiro didn't know if Heron would go that far to get what she wanted, she also knew that Heron was completely oblivious when it came to important things like that. "She's gonna trigger Cress's anxiety and only you can make it better." Did Kora even know that Cress had anxiety?
"Nee isn't cruel," Shiro wiggled, "she's just afraid of being soft in front of other people because she's queen now." Nee was always soft to her and warm like the sun. "I think she's just afraid someone will hurt her again." Shiro would never hurt her though, she would always kiss Nee's wounds to make them better! Or overwrite memories when Nee needed her to. Shiro wanted to be the best girlfriend to Nee that she could, because Nee was always doing nice things for her. She made Shiro the playground and had gotten her all of those books, there was noway that Narcia could be so cold to everyone else and so kind to Shiro? To the pup it didn't make sense and her mind was swirling, trying to picture Nee as an ice statue. Narcia would never punish her, she always saved Shiro when Narina punished her.
"Wren is like a big sister and Cress... scares me." Shiro admitted, wiggling. It wasn't that Cress was particularly bad or anything, it was just that... She was so different from anything that Shiro had ever encountered and that scared her. "She's like a fire and it's too bright to look at her." Shiro still had to get used to being around all of these people. It was easy to hide behind Nee before, but now that she was supposed to be queen, well once she was out of the fake coma, she was going to have to be around a lot of people. Which reminded Shiro that she had to find her parents.
"You really are going to go away aren't you?" Shiro let go of Kora and hugged Ellis instead. The pup suddenly brightened, realizing something. "Kora, do you think you can do something for me? Not anything as a knight, but a favor between friends?" Shiro wiped her eyes, hoping that she could make enough sense of her jumbling thoughts to give Kora the information. "Um, my parents, I never met them, but I really want to. Do you think you could go to the Sanitary Tier and find them if I give you the information?" Shiro blushed suddenly although she wasn't sure why and looked down. "I want them to be at the wedding."
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βIt's time to break the umbilical cord. I don't need you anymore.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
Narcia felt sick to her stomach. How was Cress? What was she doing? Was she okay? There was nothing she could do. She had to push the anxiety away, had to ignore it, fight through it. Nee knew there was nothing else she could do, and sitting around and worrying was a waste of time. She froze her heart again and again, to push the fear and doubts aside. Nee would never let her weakness prevent her from reaching her goal. For now, she had no choice but to trust that Heron could succeed. Nothing was working out, - she needed to focus. So this time, Nee called Riana, because something had to be done.
"Queen Riana, I need your assistance." Riana was there in the children's room, fretting over something to do with Una's glass coffin where the girl slept. She looked to be hardly listening at all, so Nee spoke again, louder, more insistent. "Riana. There's an emergency situation." Riana glanced over, then nodded seriously. "What do you need, Narcia?" So Narcia explained, bringing up the list Corren had drafted earlier. "There's a situation. We're running low on medical supplies. I'll trade you weapons technology in return." She then listed off exactly what was needed and Riana wrote it all down, looking serious. "I'll have it shipped to you then."
With that settled, Nee was prepared to shut the call off but Riana spoke again, shaking her head sadly. "If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here. I lost my husband, so I know what it's like. It's awful, but I know you're strong enough to handle it." That's right, she had no idea. She still thought Shiro was comatose. Narcia faked tears and lowered her head, pain clear on her face. It hurt just thinking about how lonely Shiro must be feeling. "I'm doing what I can." Nee said coldly, and Riana seemed sad about that. "You don't have to hold it in. It hurts. I know. I know." Narcia let out a sigh, slightly irritated. "....I'll call you back if I need anything." She said, and ended the call. Now she needed to tally up what she needed to give in return for the meds.
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βI hate you. I hate myself, I can't stand it anymore. Please look at me, please look at me!β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#30b818 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #d1ca00γ
|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#30b818 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #d1ca00γ
|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||
Kora stiffened all over at Shiro's words. Shiro was saying that she and Heron weren't better than one another, that they were the same but the wolf knight wasn't so sure. "You don't get it! I'm-" But Shiro was still talking, crying, the dampness of her tears clear on the pant of her leg. What was said next made Kora grit her teeth in tension. Heron was a pervert, she was touchy.. but she was also loyal and strong and knew how to stand by Cress without letting her demons ruin things. She wasn't the one who chose her dead sister, after all. But then again, Heron had no idea what it was like, to be a victim like that. But still! Cress chose her, Cress wanted her instead. That was that.
Shiro was defending Nee and Kora sighed. Of course she would, because they were in love. At least it seemed Nee let up that ice wall a tiny bit around Shiro. "...If she makes you happy, then that's fine." It was hard to stay angry around the pup. She just seemed to dampen those feelings out, didn't she? "You'll just take care of each other, I guess." Shiro said that Wren was more of a big sister and that Cress scared her and Kora for some reason felt a little insulted on Cress's behalf but she shook it out. She wasn't going to think about her. "So I'm your only friend, then?" It felt weird to say and think about, that's for sure.
Finally, though, the tiny queen let go, coming to a sad but true realization. But she seemed to pep herself back up rather quickly, asking a favor. The wolf listened, wondering, but figured it'd be fine, right? There was no harm in it. Shiro deserved that much at least. "Sure, one favor. But only for you." So Shiro explained it. Her parents, she wanted her parents at the wedding. The wolf nodded then, becoming serious. "I'll do my best, then." She muttered. "Maybe it'll convince Narcia to let me meet up with you once in a while." That'd be nice. Shiro was the only one in the world that Kora didn't hate right about now.
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βLet your soul take you where you long to be.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
Cress was laying on a blanket on the ground, watching Heron do her work. "We'll sleep in shifts, do a perimeter check every 20. We'll leave an hour after sunset." The other knights were listening, the only other sounds being the creaking of the wind against the old airship. "Our main priority is protecting the princess, everything else comes second." Cress felt bad, she would get to sleep as much as she needed but the others would sleep in two hour shifts. Once Heron was done delegating jobs, the knight plopped down beside her, sighing. "Go to sleep, I'll keep watch." Heron ran a hand through her hair, red locks falling out of a messy pony. "I wish I could do something to help." Cress said, her hands balling into fists. Heron lifted Cress's head and put it on her lap so that Cress could use it as a pillow.
"You've already done enough for all of Ashia. No one's sacrificed more than you," Heron said, playing with Cress's short hair. "I just did what was right," Cress shrugged, it wasn't a big deal. "Yeah, but most people aren't willing to. They ignore it, or are too scared to move outside of their comfort zones." Cress was about to say something when Finnley popped in. "Pod heading this way on your six." He said, his expression tense. "It's an unmarked vehicle," Heron got to her feet. "Stay here," she said to Cress and took out her lance, the weapon unfolding and springing into action. Cress watched her go, feeling nervous sitting alone in the pale light of the airship.
She could hear Heron shouting, someone else in return. Were those happy shouts? The door swung open. "It's a search party," she grinned and Cress sighed in relief. They were covered in desert dust, they had lost all of their belongings, but at least they had been found. Heron carried Cress out as the search party set up a tent. "Oh good, you have a port." They were all dehydrated from walking nearly 20 miles and needing to ration out their food. "Yeah, Corren put it in." As it turned out, the person hooking her up to a bolus had studied with Corren way back when. "You okay?" Heron asked and Cress nodded her head. "Getting fluids," Heron had an IV in her hand, getting hydration. "Do you have a holo I can use? I need to contact my sister."
"Yeah, you can use mine." Cress reached out for it, missing completely. "Huh? Why am I so... dizzy." Cress was seeing double. "Ashian scum," the chair was kicked over, Cress looked around, seeing that the others were all sleeping. Heron was slumped in her chair, clearly fighting it. "Hey, don't damage the goods! Lady Jezebeth wants these two in one piece." Cress didn't understand, what was going on? Her head lay on the dusty desert floor, Cress struggled to get on her hands and knees, trying to crawl away. A boot clapped her on the back, pushing Cress into the ground. "Stay down," a person said gruffly. "Una will... Una will.... not-" the Tartarian sneered. "You think we take orders from the princess?" His tone was mocking, Cress could see it, the vague outline on the wrist. These were androids.
"Princess Cumin," one of them said into their holo. "Please inform Queen Narcia that we've found the Princess and her escort. We'll be transporting them to the capital now." So they were Cumin's spies. Well, died spies. Whatever the case, Cress was lifted, her head hanging down. "Still awake? Better get comfortable, you're in for a long ride." It was a four hour drive from here to the capital, better than a two day walk at least. It would be okay, they were just going to have to accelerate their plan a lot. Her ID chip! Nee could track her, she would know what was happening, Nee would know what to do.
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βYes Mistress.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
Shiro nodded her head, "Yeah, you're my only friend." Shiro looked down, hugging Ellis close. Ellis was her friend too, but Shiro didn't think that Kora would think it counted. "I hope that we can stay friends for a long time." Nee probably wouldn't want Shiro to associate with Kora, but she didn't think Nee would stop her. It was Shiro's job to know the people, to reach their hearts, and Kora fell under that. She was a friend and even though Shiro used to believe that Kora was scary and mean, Shiro had since realized that Kora was just like her, a girl with a tragic back story, a victim of circumstance. While there was nothing they could do to change their past, they could do their best to change their futures.
Kora said that she would do the one favor, only for her. "Thank you," Shiro was so happy, her smile seemed to light up the dark space underneath the cloak. "I know you can do it." Yes, Kora was probably the only person who could find her parents, that is, if they were still alive. Shiro felt a pang, she wasn't sure if she was hoping for them to have perished so that she could never know the answer, or if she wanted them to be alive so that she could meet them. Shiro was so conflicted and she felt guilty for wishing them to be dead. They were her parents, surely they had wanted to do what was right and spare their daughter a life of hardships.
"I can come meet you, if the palace has too many bad memories, you shouldn't have to think of them again." Shiro gave Kora her best smile. Her holo began to buzz and Shiro took it out of her pocket. "Oh, Princess Cumin found them. Apparently they walked twenty miles!" Shiro was greatly impressed, she couldn't walk twenty miles if her life depended on it. Narina had made Shiro run as punishment and because of her lungs, she always ended up collapsing and waking up in the sick bay. With the new medicine, Shiro could run without fear of passing out. It was nice, getting to experience the things she previously couldn't do.
"I should go back." Shiro looked at her feet. "Bye Kora, don't stay gone too long. Okay?" Shiro gave Kora one last hug, then she had to go back to the room. Shiro watched Kora leave, then she began going back to the playground. When Shiro reached the door, she knocked once or twice, hoping that Nee would see the empty hall and know it was her.
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βIt's time to break the umbilical cord. I don't need you anymore.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
"My spies have her, they say." Cumin muttered quietly on the holo. Nee and Cumin were talking again, as they usually did. The Etrurian Princess was dressed now, so that was thankful at least. Her light brown hair still shone from the dampness, and Nee wondered why she couldn't care less about being seen naked. Cumin was definitely an odd one - but most people she met tended to be off from the normal, didn't they? "Something's off." Nee said and Cumin nodded. Nee was looking at the signal of Cress's chip, and it was moving incredibly quickly. Before they were making steady progress to Gehenna, but now... Something wasn't right. "You see, a few hours ago, I received an SOS from the spies that just contacted me. Saying that their position was compromised." Princess Cumin's eyes seemed to glitter. "I wonder how much you'd bet that they're androids now?"
Then someone else patched into the call. Una, and she looked less timid than before. "Una! Oh wow, she's cuter than I thought!" Cumin giggled and the Tartarian Princess seemed to shrink just a little. "Hello. What's the matter, Princess Una?" The hologram gulped, then sent forward a live feed video. "Thyella and her dragon knights are there. I ordered them to attack, because I didn't send any other Tartarians to the scene. Whoever's there, aren't my soldiers." Well, that cinched it then. Jezebeth was on the move. She was still active in Tartaria. And sure enough, the video feed, there was a firefight, but a certain maid as she fought was dominating with her two swords.
"You're more prudent than I expected." Nee never really thought much of the girl, so seeing her taking action like this was a pleasant surprise. Maybe Una did have a good head on her shoulders after all. Cumin nodded, looking extremely relieved. "I'm sorry, my spy network was compromised." Cumin said, sounding sad. "I caused you both some trouble." Nee waved it off. Now that the situation was being resolved, there was nothing to worry about. "Mission Complete!" The maid girl said with a lyrical laugh. "I'll get Princess Nui and her team to Gehenna. They'll be safe!" And that was that, it seemed.
There was a knock. Narcia wheeled herself over to the door and opened it, knowing it was Shiro. She said her farewells to Cumin and Una and helped Shiro into the room, closing the door. "They're safe now." Narcia said, hugging her intended close. "How was Kora? She didn't hurt you, did she?"
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βI hate you. I hate myself, I can't stand it anymore. Please look at me, please look at me!β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#30b818 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #d1ca00γ
|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#30b818 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #d1ca00γ
|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||
Friends for a long time. Maybe Kora was going insane, but she liked the sound of that idea better than she thought, and she didn't know why. Maybe it was because of the pup's endearing face, or maybe it was something else, but there was just something about her. "A long time. Sure, why not." Kora said gruffly, looking away. After assuring Shiro that she'd find her parents, the pup thanked her and smiled up at her. Shiro believed in her, and it seemed she was the only one she'd trust to do this. Was it just her way of saying she was needed? Kora didn't really know, but whatever.
She was going to find Shiro's parents and bring them to her. A last favor, between friends. Shiro then said that she'd be the one to come and meet her and the wolf nodded, but then shook her head. The girl was trying to be understanding, accommodating for her bad memories, but still, it was risky. "Not until the Narina situation's dealt with. It's too dangerous for you to go off on your own, even with the cloak." Shiro then announced that she was going to go back so Kora nodded and slipped out from under the cloak. "I'll see you again, somehow." She muttered. "I'll bring your parents, too."
The wolf didn't get far before someone grabbed her and more or less lifted her up and carried her like a sack of potatoes. "Tch, what the hell? What's happening?" It was Itward, but still, she didn't like being carried so easily. She kicked and thrashed but the only male Cherubim easily overpowered her. "You're a knight, aren't you? You're coming with me to Tartaria." He sighed, shaking his head. "This is technically against orders, but if you keep hurting our other knights here, I won't stand for it. If this is what it takes, then I'm taking you back to Cress." Kora bit his shoulder but to no avail. No, she didn't want this at all. "I hate you! Put me down!" The wolf hissed but Itward was stronger. "Maybe once we're there you two can work out your problems and stop causing problems for the rest of us."
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βLet your soul take you where you long to be.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
"Still awake huh?" He kicked her in the ribs, prompting a groan of pain from the girl. "What's wrong princess? Can't handle a little pain?" Cress writhed as he lifted her in a choke hold, stroking her cheek. She was in that odd stage in between wakefulness and rest, her eyes opened in slits, fire peeking out beneath pale, snowy lids. "You're kind cute," Cress wanted to scream, but being choked, there wasn't a sound she could utter. "I can kinda see why Jezebeth wants you in one piece, you'll fetch a nice price among Tartarian nobility." She wanted to scream, that creeping sense of anxiety returned, rooting itself in her spine, paralyzing Cress in every way.
The pod jolted. Cress was thrown to the ground as the rebel went to see what the hold up was. She wriggled, attempting to relieve herself of her bonds. Heron lay beside her, asleep, knocked out from whatever it was the rebels had given her. The only signs of life in the knight were the occasional fluttering of her lids and the feel of her warm breath on Cress's skin. Cress curled up on the ground beside her, her head touching Heron's chest. Jezebeth was going to separate them no doubt, she'd do to Heron the same she did to Kora, only probably take away her arms since that was her best ability. They would have to hut her, put a stop to Jezebeth before the woman could lay a hand on them.
The pod jolted once more, Cress was thrown into the seat, a stifled moan escaping her as she landed beside Heron, her limbs tied at uncomfortable angles. Her head had smacked the back of the seat, stars dancing in her eyes. Kora, it was Kora come to save them! Wait, no, that must have been the drugs playing with her mind. Kora wouldn't have come, Kora never wanted to see her again, she didn't love her, she didn't want to be with her. Heron was waking, stirring. Her eyes widened, there was an explosion that rocked the two of them and somehow, Heron used her body to shield Cress. The idiot rebels hadn't taken her lance, Heron broke free, fighting alongside a girl in a maid costume.
"Thank you," Cress gasped as the cloth was removed from her mouth. Relief flooded her body, she wasn't going to be violated, Heron would protect her, this weird girl in the maid uniform had saved them. Heron lifted Cress, carrying the princess on her back. Finnley was waking, the others hadn't been so fortunate. They only took the knight along since they thought his looks could fetch them a nice price at market. Once more they were on their way to Ghenna, Cress, Finnley, and Heron the only survivors of their original team. This was her fault, she should have told them an unmarked pod was too suspicious, if she had, if the others hadn't rushed out, they would still be alive.
"I'm sorry you had to rescue us from such a sorry state." Cress said, wondering how she could truly express her gratitude. "Cress, why don't we get you a maid uniform like that?" Heron asked, as perverted as ever. "As if I'd wear a skirt that short!" Cress replied, wishing Heron weren't such a womanizing pervert.
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γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
Shiro nodded her head, "Okay, if you really want to." The pup said, sad that she had to see her friend go. "I know that you'll be alright, because you're the best knight there is." Well at the moment standing in the castle. While Heron was a great knight, Shiro believed that Kora had the potential to do much, much better than the flaming redhead who had stolen Kora's love right out from beneath her. Maybe Shiro was prejudice, maybe the pup really did believe that her friend had the potential to rise above everyone else and get stronger and stronger, the likes of which the knights had never seen before.
"I'll miss you," Shiro whispered as Kora left. The pup watched her go, then she had to return to the playground. She knocked once on the door, then waited until it opened. Nee was sitting in her wheelchair and Shiro felt bad for making her do things when she was supposed to be asleep. Xion was still there as well, the two speaking to Princesses Una and Cumin. Soon Cumin would be queen as well, once she had, had her coronation. Nee had been lucky, not a single soul had protested her becoming Queen over Ashia Palace. She wondered if Narina knew that her daughter was no longer just a princess.
Now that Kora had the free time, would she train to challenge Heron to a duel? Shiro wiggled out from underneath the invisibility cloak and went to play. "No, Kora didn't hurt me. We're friends," Shiro smiled, friends didn't hurt each other, or at least, the pup believed so. Her only other friend was Nio though and Nio had left a giant scar on Shiro's heart when she had died. Shiro didn't think that counted though, you couldn't exactly help dying and no doubt the little girl had left marks on nearly everyone's hearts.
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βIt's time to break the umbilical cord. I don't need you anymore.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
It was frustrating, not really being able to move as much as she liked. Still, Nee knew in a few days, those problems would be solved. Shiro was back, at least, and that was something. She was playing on the playground now, saying that Kora didn't hurt her, that Kora was her friend. "That's good. I'm glad you have another friend, Shiro." Nee said, and started thinking intensely about something that was bothering her lately. The ID Chips were being used to map out the neural activity in one's brain and with the endless patterns, is able to transform that data into a pesudo-brain of sorts in fake bodies. In that case, then, wasn't it possible for the same to apply in a real, organic body? Say, if someone had more than one chip at their disposal... couldn't you switch between two personalities that way?
"I have an idea." Nee said, suddenly smiling. She glanced over at Shiro, watching her play. "Kora mourns her sister, doesn't she? Aya." Then, it was only logical that it'd solve one of her problems to bring Aya back. And now, Nee knew a method that would surely work. "Then if we brought her to life, Kora would be happier, wouldn't she?" As long as they could take the port that holds the chips from an android body and implant it into the wrist of Kora's body, then they could insert Aya's chip and transfer the neural map information onto the brain, activating the Aya personality. And if you ever want to switch back, all you have to do is place Kora's chip back in and remove Aya's.
So she called Itward, knowing Itward was forcing Kora to help search for Cress. They should already have the search planes flying out now. Itward's face appeared on the screen, looking serious. "What's wrong, Nee?" Nothing was really wrong, was there? Nee first updated Itward on the situation, according to the maid, Thyella's report. Most of the team was dead, but there were four survivors. Cress, Heron, Finnley, and Ghenna. Itward nodded, a breath of relief escaping his lips. "Do you want me to continue with the -"
Of course she wanted that. Not for a search, but for an experiment. "You have Kora and Doctor Benkov on your ship, do you not?" Itward nodded, confirming it. He already cancelled the other ships - there was no need to send an attack team just yet, after all. Now that Cress's team was safe, it was totally unnecessary. So Nee explained what she wanted Itward to do and her old friend shook his head, staring at her intensely. "Are you insane?" He nearly shouted. "You want us to kill her?" Nee nodded, already forwarding the exact medical procedure required for what she wanted to accomplish. "Of course, it's only temporary." Nee said with a pleasant smile.
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βI hate you. I hate myself, I can't stand it anymore. Please look at me, please look at me!β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#30b818 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #d1ca00γ
|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#30b818 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #d1ca00γ
|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||
Kora was forced onto the ship and chained to her seat so that she couldn't fight and escape. It was frustrating and she didn't like it at all, not even a little bit. She wanted to find Shiro's parents, she promised, so why the heck was she being dragged onto this stupid mission anyways? If Cress wanted her around, she'd have invited her along. But instead she was left behind. Showing up now would just be embarrassing. But she was forced on and there was nothing she could do about it. So Nee ended up calling Itward, and just as expected, Cress and Heron were perfectly fine. She didn't want to listen anymore, and Itward issued the cancel order, to bring the rest of the ships back to Ashia Palace.
Then things got more interesting. Itward was against it, but Kora was very much intrigued. "So you can put Aya back in this body, then. Just have to kill this brain and keep the Kora chip safe to bring this me back whenever, right?" That's what she thought Narcia was plotting, anyways, that scheming ice queen. Narcia nodded, looking happy to be understood. "That's right. Of course, I'll only allow such a thing if you approve. a procedure like this will require your consent, of course." Kora wanted Aya back, she wanted a chance for her to live. And in addition to that desire... Kora didn't want to be herself anymore. Other than Shiro, no one really liked her like this anyways. Everyone preferred her as Aya, didn't they? "Do it. I want it." Itward looked shocked and he was going to say something but Narcia interrupted like a precision laser. "As Queen, I veto your veto, Itward."
So Kora was put on an operating table, and Benkov was there. Nee was overseeing the whole operation of course, and Itward was there as well to make sure. "It'll hurt a bit, but the Queen says she wants you awake for this part." The wolf was plugged into a series of machines, and once the implant of the Chip port from one of the androids was complete, her brain would be forcibly shut down using drugs to block all activity. So he cut into the skin with the scalpel, removing her own chip, and Kora winced. Any thought she had now would no longer transmit into the chip. So anything she thought now would forever be erased. It was fine, though, wasn't it? He made a larger incision and then used a pair of forceps to place the port in, attatching it to the neural network in the arm using neural transmitters, all according to Narcia's instructions. "Time to sleep. When you next wake, it'll be as Aya." Kora grinned, knowing that she was about to die. She wasn't afraid, though. As long as they had her chip, she could be restored in the future. Not that anyone would really want that, anyways.
After shutting off the brain and putting Aya's chip in, something was wrong. There was brain activity, but it was minimal. She was in a deep coma now - if you could call it alive at all. Itward was agitated, Benkov was much more worried than before, and even Narcia wondered if she had made a mistake with her calculations. "It should have worked. The port should have transferred her consciousness over and allowed her to wake up." Narcia clenched her teeth. Was this a huge mistake? "She's not waking." Itward growled fiercely. "Nee, you said this was going to work."
Narcia sighed. Fine, so the operation failed. "Keep her hooked up to life support for now, and keep her on the ship at all times." The Ashian Queen said in a bored voice, sighing. "How can you be so calm?" Itward muttered, and Nee blinked at him, shrugging. "There's always risks with experimental operations." How was she going to explain this to Shiro, though?
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βA heart's a heavy burden.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
"Why are you making me wear this?" Cress asked, a permanent blush on her face. Both Cress and Heron were wearing maid uniforms, Finnley was wearing a butler uniform, their previous clothes discarded in desert sand. "Once we get to Gehenna you can wear whatever you'd like, but we can't risk you lot being recognized as Ashian nobility." Thylla, their Tartarian guide said. "I like you like this, a cute helpless maid." Heron teased, tapping Cress on the nose. She was carrying Cress again since Cress still couldn't feel her legs. She overdid it, walking nearly two miles while still in recovery. Cress blushed, looking away. "I'm not cute," she mumbled, feeling more like Heron's Barbie doll than vassal. Finnley was bringing up the rear, awfully quiet. "Were almost there right? At Gehenna?" Thylla, Una's head servant, nodded her head.
They were reaching the cave now, the people of Tartaria inhabiting mostly underground areas. The place was lit up like daytime and Cress found herself sitting up higher in Heron's arms. They were passing by the entry and Thylla showed her ID for easy access. They followed her with no trouble and Cress wondered how she was going to make a city with no sun flourish with plants that thrived on light. Her blood froze, they were passing by a group of men in business suits that whistled at them like dogs. "We're not meat!" Cress snapped, causing them to snicker. Her agitation was apparent and Heron placed a hand on her back to comfort her. Cress pulled her skirt down, hoping that you couldn't see underneath it the way that Heron was carrying her.
"Don't mind them, Tartaria is still not used to having equality among genders." What an awful thing, to have to live as an oppressed woman, as an object of men's desires. "I wouldn't mind having a lady pet," Heron grinned and Cress whacked her. "You'd be a pet too idiot," Heron grinned. "No I wouldn't be," Cress forgot that Heron didn't really consider herself a lady. "You'd be all mine then," Heron was clearly having day dreams. "No one could touch you but me," Heron pat Cress's head like a dog and Cress hissed at her. "I bet the ladies you courted were huge fans." Heron winked, she was being irritatingly cheeky. "I wouldn't treat you badly, you'd be the most spoiled pet in all of Gehenna." Cress just hoped that Heron wasn't seriously considering this.
"You'd have a collar with a bell," now she was detailing her plans. "And only I could pet you." Cress yawned, "That would be great if I were say, a cat." Her words were dipped in sarcasm, so much so that even Finnley rolled his eyes. They had reached the palace by now and Cress's eyes widened. It was very large and dusty, just like the rest of Tartaria, except, the palace was carved out of the cave wall. The inside was lit with all sorts of fixtures and Thylla showed the Princess to where she would be staying before offering to take Heron and Finnley to their quarters. "No need, where the Princess goes, I follow." Heron said, placing Cress on the bed. "It's beautiful," Cress admired. While the outside was built into the cave, the inside was entirely clean, made of white marble and stone to offset the dusty air outside.
Heron placed Cress in bed, going to the closet to find the princess something to wear that wasn't a maid costume. Cress tried to stand up in the meantime, sliding carefully to the floor and attempting to put weight on her legs. "What are you doing!" Heron ran over, catching Cress as she fell. "What does it look like? I'm trying to walk." Cress replied, attempting to push Heron away but the knight was much stronger and stubborn. "You've already hurt yourself enough, Nee is gonna kill me when we get back and she sees all of these bruises." Heron placed Cress down gently back on the bed. "I'm used to bruises, it's weird having smooth skin." Heron put a hand out, stopping her. "Don't," Heron warned and Cress sighed, leaning back. "Fine, fine."
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γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
Shiro smiled, Nee was happy that she had another friend. "Isn't having friends fun?" Shiro smiled as she hugged Ellis, going down the slide. The pup was clearly busy with her play set, going back up only to go down yet another slide. She was happy though and a happy Shiro was a not spiraling Shiro. The pup was standing at the top of another slide, going down on her stomach and squealing. It was a good thing that the room was sound proof from its days as an interrogation suite, otherwise someone passing by may have heard her and known that Shiro wasn't in a coma. Shiro had never been in a coma before and she didn't think she ever wanted to go into one, it seemed scary. Cress had been in one and she cried a lot from it.
Shiro didn't think she would ever be able to live stuck in a body that couldn't do anything. Even now, with her broken lungs, she could still do things. Which reminded Shiro, she had yet to have her shot today. Maybe if the pup was lucky, Corren would forget, although she doubted it considering he had nothing here to keep him busy anymore. Nee was speaking then and Shiro looked up, going over to her beloved's side. "How are you gonna bring Aya back?" Shiro asked apprehensively, but Nee was doing that thing she did whenever she had an idea and Shiro knew better than to interrupt. The pup went over to the coloring books, knowing that soon Nee would have to get ready for the dinner.
Shiro pulled out a coloring books with all different kinds of dogs. There were earthen species and dog breeds from Ourania and Shiro sat on green grassy carpet, opening up the coloring book and getting to work. "I don't think dogs are blue Ellis," Shiro shook her head, putting the blue crayon back. She took out blonde, the same dusty blonde as her hair and Ellis's fur. Shiro used it to color in the fur, then used pink to color in the fur and red for the doggy's nails because Shiro thought it made her look pretty. "Do you think Nee will like it?" Shiro asked Ellis and looked up at Nee to see that she looked panicked.
She was holding the holo though and Shiro knew better than to go over when the holo was in use and compromise everything. Who knew who was on the other end? It could be Narina having discovered that everyone was alive and well and then they really all would be hurt wouldn't they? Shiro would be punished for falling in love with Narcia, for letting her charge be with her when Nee really should have been with someone of equal status. Even though Shiro knew this, she couldn't stand the thought of it. Nee was her's to snuggle, she was Shiro's to laugh with and love. Shiro wanted to go over and cling to her, but Nee was still on the holo.
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βIt's time to break the umbilical cord. I don't need you anymore.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
Having friends was pretty fun, wasn't it? Well, for Nee at least, she wasn't sure if fun was exactly the right word. Even on Earth, she didn't really get along with people all that much. There were whispers in the halls - the weird cousin of Cress Winter. While Cress was naturally friendly, Narcia found it difficult to befriend anyone other than Cress. Even if some people talked to her and considered her a friend, Nee usually wouldn't feel the same connection back. It was like a sort of dysphoric way of life. Still, she did make meaningful friendships - just not numerous friendships. No doubt the likes of Cumin and Una would be happy to call her a friend - Nee wasn't sure the word friend applied quite as much from her end. Aine, Heron, and Itward (sometimes) were the closest things to friends she had. Cress was her sister, and Shiro was her lover, so they didn't quite count.
Shiro asked how to bring Aya back, and back then, Nee answered so confidently, giving Shiro a brief explanation of the port chips Narina's androids used and how she wanted to incorporate that using Aya's chip to bring her back into Kora's brain, but she had a feeling Shiro didn't really understand as her intended went to play on her own. It looked a little lonely - there was a little redhaired girl that should've been there with her - but Nee shook it off, focusing on guiding Benkov through the procedure. What she didn't expect was for it to fail, and as she was, there was no bringing her out of the coma. Kora - or whoever she was - would have to come out of it on her own.
Itward was angry, yelling, calling her idiotic and foolish, and no matter how Narcia tried to play it off as just a risk, the truth was that she hadn't even considered the risk in the first place. It was so unlike her - usually Nee was able to map out every possible outcome and plan for each accordingly, but this time, she was so hasty with her plan that she didn't correctly think it through. What was wrong with her? How would Shiro feel, now that another friend of hers was taken away? No - not taken away, not if the activity on the monitor was to be believed. It was very faint, but she's still in there, somewhere. "I told you. I told you this was a bad idea, why didn't you listen at all? You're just like Narina, playing with lives as if they don't matter."
"That's not what it was at all." Nee hissed. In truth, it wasn't. Maybe before she wouldn't have cared about Kora's life, but she respected her on the level as another living being, right? She asked her permission to go through with it, and explained the process so that she'd understand. Narcia... didn't do anything wrong, right? "It was supposed to have worked." Itawrd shut off the call in anger, and shortly after, the door was knocked. Narcia muttered the password - Winter - and Corren came in, with a glowing rod that made bell-noises when you shook it. "Here, Shiro." The doctor said, waving it in front of her. "This is a gift from me to you." He made it glow and shine before her eyes and then when she wasn't looking, injected her with the treatment, in one swift moment. "I want to run a scan on you, if that's okay, to check if your symptoms are stable." Nee wheeled herself over and hugged Shiro close, feeling guilty at her most recent mistake. "You're a good girl, a brave girl." The ice queen whispered. "But it's your choice."
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γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
"You don't always have to close yourself off you know, Una." Riana said to her, entering the room. Una was reading her brother's journal again, about when he started the war. It was sad - he used to be just like her. Their father, Mephisto, always was picking for a reason to fight with Ashia, wanting to conquer it and enslave the Ashian population. Semyon and Una always did oppose it to the best of their ability, and Semyon promised that when she woke, she'd live in a world where there is no war or suffering. So reading about Semyon's decision to start the war made her sad, especially because of how it happened. Apparently this woman named Jezebeth approached him and told him that the best way to achieve world peace was to conquer everyone until there are no more nations to have wars with in the first place.
It was interesting, though. Jezebeth told Semyon that Queen Narcia surpassed him in almost every way. The best solution would be to unsettle her, to rile her up and make her afraid. To do this, he had Mastema infiltrate and steal Narrina's body and gave it to Jezebeth for disposal. Predictably, Narcia had a mental breakdown shortly after, and that was when the war was declared. Ashia's strength was in Narcia's intellect, so weakening her was weakening Ashia as a whole. "He's dead now, Una. I'm your family now." Riana sighed, seeming sad. "He wasn't a bad person. Just because he started the war, doesn't mean your big brother was evil. He was just misguided. You don't have to feel bad to love him."
Una nodded. Why was Riana always so understanding for her? Why, even now, did Riana keep trying to provide her with some semblance of a family? "Thank you, Riana. He's my brother. I'll always love him." When she called her Riana again, the Coriandrum Queen's eyes seemed a little misry, but that was that. "It's a shame the tank didn't heal you." Riana said sadly, frowning at the glass coffin where her real body laid. "Our best doctors are trying their hardest." Una couldn't fault them. She knew how hard they worked to try and cure her. Then Una's UI beeped and in the corner of her eye she saw a message from Thyella.
"Princess Una, we're coming to your room. I brought tea!" That was the password to tell her to switch to the disc in her office in Gehenna. "Riana, I have to go. But thank you for always taking care of me." With that she shut her eyes and imagined herself flying to Gehenna. When her eyes opened, that was where she was, back in her office in the Abyssal City. Orthrus left a note, saying that he was searching for Narina's possible location again, so Una carefully placed it into her drawer, hidden from view. There was a knock. Thyella. Una opened the door, and her maid introduced the team. Nui, Heron, Finnley, and Ghenna.
Una did a curtsey as Thyella shut the door and smiled happily at her. "Welcome to Gehenna. I hope you'll enjoy your stay here." The Tartarian Princess said, swallowing her anxiety and fear in front of Nui, who was so much better than her in every way. She frowned sadly, knowing she had to address the issue. "I apologize for the loss of your comrades. It was my oversight that allowed th-this tragedy to occur." Shoot, she stuttered again. Anyways, it was time to show her information. Something Nui was going to very much be interested in. Una summoned a holographic version of her brother's phone and brought up the relevant pages - of Jezebeth and Narina and the whole reason the Tartarian war began in the first place.
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βA heart's a heavy burden.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
She was in clothing now, something far too princess like for Cress's taste. There was a wheelchair too, one that Heron put her in as soon as the knight was done fooling around in her underclothes. "Are you honestly going to remain in those?" Cress asked in amusement, quirking an eyebrow. Heron grinned, performing a delightful little spin for Cress's amusement. "I never realized how cozy maid uniforms are," Heron said, doing a curtsy. Cress rolled her eyes as Heron snapped out her lance from her belt, wearing it over her new outfit. She gave the air a few quick lunges before tucking the weapon away as someone knocked on the door. Heron went to see who it was, letting Finnley inside. He was dressed in the butler uniform, the two of them no doubt corroborating on their new disguises. "Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Cress inquired.
The two knights nodded in unison. "We're your knights after all," Heron said, hooking a thumb between them. "So we've gotta protect you, even if it's in the most inconspicuous manner." Another knock on the door, this time from Thylla. "We're ready," Cress said, trying to appear perfectly comfortable in the dress she was wearing. It was a pale milk color with black, lace trim. Elegant, far too sophisticated for herself. It fit nicely, not squeezing things out of proportion and resting firmly against her hips and waist, puffing out in the way any Princess dress should. Heron took the handles of the wheelchair, her maid uniform matching. The three survivors of the most recent attack followed Thylla out and to the drawing room, where they would be having tea.
"Heron," Cress started, drawing a breath in. "I know, I've counted three exits, all of the windows we've passed thus far have been fake." Heron uttered underneath her breath as they reached the drawing room doors. Thylla knocked, saying something to the Princess of Tartaria before opening the doors up, allowing the three of them inside. Cress put on her most pleasant smile, seeing the hologram girl before them. Una apologized sincerely for the trouble, but it wasn't as though Cress could blame her. The Princess shook her head, giving Una a most sincere smile. "It's no trouble at all, after all, your maid is the one that saved us." Cress spoke in earnest. There was no time to waste on pleasantries, almost as soon as they began, Una confirmed the Ashian's worst fears.
Both Jezebeth and Narina were the same person. "Seeing as how they're both my birth mother, we'll take care of it. No need to trouble yourself further. I hear that you've been hard at work to become the next Queen." Cress looked at the files once more, her holo had been crushed in the airship attack and so this one was her's to borrow until she could get a replacement. "There are some other things I came here to discuss," Cress handed the holo to Heron so that the knight could send copies to their Queen. Yes, much more important things that Cress needed to discuss, such as the supplies that had been burned up in the airship fire.
"The things we lost in the fire, those were the supplies I was going to use to begin planting in the desert." Cress's tone took on a much more serious edge. To the Princess, there was nothing more serious than plants. "I took those out on personal expenses and didn't expect anything to happen to them, unfortunately, with the attack, I've lost all of my supplies. They came from Coriandrum and I suspect it would take a bit of time to get in a second order." She had purchased quite a lot after all. "Una, if you don't mind my calling you that, do you have any means by which to contact Queen Riana?"
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βYes Mistress.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
Shiro was perfectly oblivious, the pup doing her own thing, playing on slides, coloring, snuggling up against Ellis. Thanks to the bouts of her most recent dreams, Shiro was wondering what it was like to be a dog. As it turned out, it was hard. Shiro crawled on her hands and knees, carrying Ellis by picking the toy up in her mouth and practicing her puppy moves in front of the mirror. Shiro didn't want to bother Nee, not when she looked so preoccupied, so Shiro played alone. The puppy turned in circles, she practiced begging and sitting, but it didn't look right, not without ears and a tail, so Shiro went back to coloring instead. She could practically feel the waves of anxiety coming from her intended and was beginning to grow worried.
A knock sounded on the door, "I'll get it!" Shiro yipped, getting up and skipping over to the door. The password could be heard, which meant it was clear. Shiro opened the door and Corren came in with some sort of sparkly bell contraption. Shiro's eyes widened, she excitedly followed the bells, only yelping when the needle was injected into her skin. Shiro whimpered and ran, hiding behind Narcia. It hurt, the pup hated needles, she hated any sort of pain, it brought the poor girl back to punishment, when she was forced to be a lady in waiting and had to work at all hours of the day and night.
Corren was speaking again, saying that he wanted to run scans to make sure that she was stable. Shiro whimpered, burying her face in Nee's side. Nee was praising her, saying that she was brave, that it was her choice. "I-I g-guess." The pup looked down, holding onto Narcia with one hand and Ellis with the other. They would have to do the tests in here, unless Corren had cleared out some rooms. As it turned out, he brought the portable ones. Shiro had to get undressed and so she wiggled out of her clothes, laying on the table as he set up the scanner around her.
He put headphones on her ears, then started it. The machine made all sorts of sounds, clanking, humming, thumping. Corren kept telling Shiro to hold still but the pup couldn't help but wiggle. "But Nee says I should only show her," Shiro could hear Corren sigh audibly. "It's different when you're a doctor," finally, Shiro could come off of the table. Instantly, the pup clung to Nee, "That was scary." She whimpered, not having been allowed either her pacifier nor Ellis since they could disrupt the images and show a fake signal of some sort.
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βIt's time to break the umbilical cord. I don't need you anymore.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
It was a cruel trick, to fool Shiro with that contraption, but there was nothing that could be done. Even if it entertained her, the needle was injected and she ran behind Narcia, whimpering, about to cry. "I'm here for you, don't worry, you're safe now." Shiro was irrational in times like this, but it was perfectly understandable. With all of the abuse she suffered for her entire life, the girl was obviously going to respond badly to any sort of pain stimuli for the next long while. A bulge of irritation went through her when Corren mentioned needing a scan, and when Shiro stripped, the ice queen felt an illogical desire to wheel her chair over Corren's foot.
Shiro agreed to the testing, to Nee's discomfort, and Corren prepared the portable scanner. It was loud, even from here, almost unbearably loud and Nee was thankful Shiro was given headphones to block some of it out, at least. The scholar was telling her to stay still. "Only I should see her." Narcia muttered under her breath in agreement and she earned a half sigh from her former tutor. Finally, though, it ended, and Shiro went back to Nee's side. Narcia wrapped her in a blanket quickly, so Corren couldn't see. It was pointless to look over the results of the scan - she had no idea how to decipher any of it, but the scholar knew all about it.
"Everything seems fine." He said with a cursory glance. "I'll have to examine them more carefully to be sure, however." The sandy haired boy made a sad attempt at a smile - he really was one of those times that was better off not smiling if he could help it, and he handed the weird stick toy thing to Shiro, as a sort of apology gift. "Only good girls get it, and you were a good girl." He said and it sounded awkward. Still, Narcia appreciated the effort, and she decided Corren wasn't all that bad, even if he was stiff and stuffy. He left the room then, and Nee held Shiro close to her in a warm hug, giving her Ellis and the pacifier.
She planted a light kiss on the pup's cheek, grinning but there was guilt behind it, debating if she should tell her what happened to Kora. "I'm sorry I can't play with you on the playground." Nee said, and she meant each word. "When my stitches dissolve, I'll join you. We can play together." It was time to get to business, though, so Nee wheeled them both over to the library, allowing Shiro to pick whatever she liked from the wedding section. "Should we start planning the wedding?" Nee asked with a faint blush on her cheeks.
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βEven now, the smiling savior is a faΓ§ade.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
Nui in all her fire, was honestly, intimidating. Nui was so accomplished, she even survived a battle in a wheelchair, and seemed perfectly level headed rather than focusing on the losses and everything. Meanwhile Una was here, doubting every word she spoke. The silver princess really didn't have any sort of history to be proud of, especially in front of Nui, who struggled nearly her whole life since returning from Earth. Oddly enough, Heron Cherubim was wearing a maid outfit, and was playfully fluffing her poofy sleeves and the hem of the dress. Was she really a warrior? But when you were as skilled as she was, did you really have to be formal?
"It wouldn't have happened if I were more prudent." Una said, shaking her head. Nui was testing her, wasn't she? Trying to gauge how much of a leader she really was, right? If possible, Una didn't want to be one, but she knew she had to, if she wanted to prevent another war from breaking out. Jezebeth, Narina, whoever she was, she was causing a lot of trouble and even if Nui claimed that she didn't have to, Una knew she had to take responsibility as well. "I'd... like to help, if I may. Even if there isn't much I can do." Thyella shot her a supportive smile from the back of the room, and Una continued. "It was my brother who started the war, so I have to take responsibility and offer aid."
When Nui brought up the supplies she was going to use to revitalize the desert, more guilt stabbed into her holographic chest. The silver princess almost faltered, because she knew that if she was more focused, instead of reading Semyon's journal, maybe she could have prevented it. "I'll recompensate you..." The girl paused. Was that a word? Did she just make up a word? She became flustered for a few seconds, and if anything, Heron's lip curled up into a half grin, mocking her. "Um.... once Tartaria is in a position to repay you, I'd be glad to. It's for our benefit, after all..." Unfortunately, the economic system was all but shot. There was lots to do to fix the economy and the flow of money.
She went to her holo and tapped a very familiar number. "Certainly, I can contact her." Queen Riana appeared on the other end, looking safe and professional, then she smiled at Cress. "Ah, I'm glad you're looking healthier, Nui." The Coriandrum Queen said warmly. "What do you need help with?" So Una explained it - fumbling at least once - and Riana waved her hand with ease. "There's no need. Consider it a gift, to foster good relations between our alliance." Riana said with a smile. And that was when something terrifying happened. "Oooh, I can't take it anymore!" Heron let out a yelp and launched herself at Una, and for once in her life, the silver princess was glad to be a hologram. "She's so cute! Cress, I want her, she's gonna be our daughter! Look at her! Look at her!" Una fell silent and she shivered. How was she supposed to respond?
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βA heart's a heavy burden.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
Cress couldn't care less about the money, she knew it was selfish, but to be honest, money was never really something she thought about. The only reason the girl was bringing it up, was due to the fact that she had purchased this all on Ashian citizen taxes, believing that it would be a show of good faith from their people to Tartaria. Now though, it seemed more likely that the people of Tartaria wanted to suffer so that they would have something to complain about. Insufferable people, it was a wonder how they had even survived thus far in this desert city, taking resources from every city. What export did they provide that was so important that it had become one of the main country's of Ourania? If it was such a terrible place, why didn't the people up and leave?
"There is a lot you can do," Cress said, clapping her hands together. "We should get started, we're losing daylight having tea and whatnot. The first thing I need you to do is find the bodies of the team. The families should at least have notice that their loved ones have perished on an important mission from the Queen." Cress knew that Narina would probably receive grief from the families, which was why they had selected people who could be gone for long periods of time. "They should be told that their deaths were not in vain, they had done their best and their contributions won't be forgotten." No, Cress would never forget the names of the brave scientists and knights that had gone with them. Cress would name a garden section after each of them.
Una said that she would compensate them, that isn't what Cress meant though. Still, if the girl wanted to pay back what Cress had spent on the soil and equipment she would need to garden, then Cress would let her. "Thank you," Cress said, breathing out a sigh of relief. They were wasting daylight sitting here, not that Cress could do much without her tools. "There's no need to be nervous," Cress said, able to feel the waves of tension rolling off of the girl. "I'm sure you'll make a fine queen." No doubt Una was like her, she didn't want to rule, she wanted to run as fast and far away from the crown as she could, especially after spending so long in a coma, but Una was all that Tartaria had left, they wouldn't let their leader run away so easily.
"Take your time, there's no rush to pay us back." Thankfully, Ashia's financial system was stable, unlike Etruria and Tartaria. They had no debt, in fact, the city's large technological export ensured that they were bountiful in their economy. Unfortunately, most of that profit made it's way to the palace. They had been using the money as means to beautify their city, Ashia Palace, to build orphanages and housing for the homeless, to expand the Rubble Tier so that it was no longer covered in dust and ruin. Cress leaned back in her wheelchair, the tea here had a flavor unlike any she'd ever tasted before. It wasn't watery, like she expected, but rich in exotic flavor and not overly sweet, no doubt the natural essence of the leaves providing the taste for it. Cactus! That's what the flavor was.
Princess Una dialed up Queen Riana, who said that she would replenish their supplies, free of charge. "Thank you," Cress said, giving Queen Riana her best smile. The woman was commenting on her state, mentioning how she looked much better. "Thanks to your technology, I will forever be in your debt." Aya's serum had stopped working at that point, it would have only been a matter of time until Cress's body deteriorated once more past the point of recovery. At that moment, Heron began acting strange. She seemed to be writhing in her place, then jumped up to attack Princess Una. "Heron!"
As it turned out, the knight had only pounced to hug Una and call her cute. This was the reason that Cress could never believe that Heron would ever truly love her, no doubt she was simply taking advantage of Cress's weakness, exploiting her loneliness and twisting it to let Cress think she could possibly love her. So Cress wheeled right up to Heron and slapped her. "I apologize for any disturbance this idiot has caused." Cress said in irritation, wondering if Heron really was that daft to simply assault a princess out of the blue. "She means no harm, she's just stupid when it comes to any girl with a pulse."
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βYes Mistress.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
Shiro hated this pain, she hated that one day she was going to have to get another lung transplant. Apparently, these lungs would only last about thirty or so year depending on her condition. Thanks to the manufacturing of ghost organs, there was no need to worry about rejection, so Shiro would get to live a mostly pain free life. Except for the shots of course. Those were scary and painful, although not as scary and painful as the vest. Yes, this was much better than the vest. So Shiro would endure until there was a proper cure for the sanitary illness. That would be ice, to never have to worry about things like chest pain and breathing again.
Shiro had to undress and lay on the scanner. "Ellis can't come?" The pup whimpered as Ellis and her pacifier were both taken away, her ring could stay on since it was out of the picture's way. "Nee, please take good care of him!" Shiro was given headphones with a little bit of music that played inside of them. She had to stay extra still and listened to the commands Corren gave her. Breath slowly, relax, hold her breath and count to thirty. It was weird, but Shiro made a game out of it, a little smile on her face as she made a game of counting numbers up and down and all around. "Okay Shiro, I want you to sing." Sing? Shiro blinked in surprise. "What song?"
"Something fast and upbeat, I'm trying to measure your intake properly." The pup began running through songs in her head. "Oh I know!" An earthen song, ne that Shiro believed Narcia would enjoy. "I'm gonna wash that man right outta my hair!" Shiro started, wondering how Corren could even hear her over the sounds that the machine was making. "And send him on his way!" Shiro smiled, hoping that she hadn't started giggling again like before. She needed to stay focused on the task at hand, Corren was telling her something that pertained to the scan! He had given her directions to hold her breath and once again the machine clanked an made funny sounds.
Shiro could have sworn she had heard Nee laying claim to Shiro's body again and the pup blushed as Nee put a blanket around her shoulders to cover her from Corren's eyes, not that Corren was interested in the body of a little girl. Corren gave her the sparkly bell thing and Shiro's eyes widened as she took it, holding it like a precious toy. She shook it, eyes lighting up in delight as the bells rang and shone underneath the lights of the playground. "I love it!" The pup also loved the praise that came with it. She was a good girl wasn't she? A very good girl, that's why she got this special toy, just for her!
"It's amazing!" Shiro went over to her jewelry box, putting the toy in it along with her crown. She bound back over to Nee, who handed Shiro her pacifier and Ellis. Shiro tied the ribbon around her neck once more, the familiar weight of the pacifier a great comfort. Having Ellis made her feel good too, "Thanks for watching him." Shiro smiled just a little bit, showing Ellis to Corren. Corren fluffed the toy's hair, then spoke with Nee about results. In the meantime, Shiro got dressed again. Nee apologized for not being able to play with her stitches, but Shiro didn't mind. "That's kay, I just want you to get better. Once your tummy is all fixed we can ride the slide together!"
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βIt's time to break the umbilical cord. I don't need you anymore.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
It was nerve wracking, watching Corren do what was necessary for Shiro. As much as she disliked it, it was just something she was going to have to deal with, right? Still, everyone - no matter how much ice you had - everyone had something with which you became irrational. In Narcia's case, said thing was Shiro. Whenever Shiro - and Cress, for that matter - became involved in her calculations, it became difficult to truly think rationally, objectively. She hated that the Sanitary Illness existed, she hated that Shiro needed to feel things that frightened her and reminded her of the bad days, she hated that Shiro was unable to live in a healthy, carefree body. But if she ever expressed these feelings, Shiro would consider herself a bad girl, she'd blame herself for making Narcia feel these emotions, so Narcia was forced to always bottle it down and keep it locked up. She wasn't allowed to express how she felt, because it'd only make her intended's burden heavier.
"I'll take very good care of them." Narcia said quietly, gingerly placing Ellis and the pacifier in her lap where they would be kept safe. Shiro was being made to sing, and other such things, so Narcia decided to check the data from Kora's brain that was being updated into her phone, live. No improvements, and Itward seemed incredibly angry with her when he shut off the call. The ice queen suddenly felt a new wave of fear ripple through her. Cress and Shiro, if they ever found out, if they knew what she did to Kora, they'd probably never forgive her. The anxiety festered and churned inside of her, eating away at the calculating ice that she usually possessed. She couldn't explain it to them, they'd never understand.
Once it was finally over and Corren left, Narcia and Shiro were together. Shi put the new toy in her box for safe keeping and with Ellis back in her grasp and her pacifier tired around her neck ribbon, the girl looked as chipper as she always did. "Ellis is precious to you, so of course I'll take care of him." Nee said, thinking of Kora and feeling horrid. More dark thoughts permeated Nee's mind. It wasn't right, it was horrible that Shiro had to be restrained by the limitations of her illness, that she was forced to deal with things she didn't want to. A girl like her deserved to be carefree to live whoever she pleased without worrying about any of this. And yet, until a cure was made, there was nothing anyone could do to really solve her problem permanently.
Shiro was understanding and warm and optimistic about being able to go on the slide with her once her sutures were healed up. The child was too sweet, too pure, she just wanted Nee to get better when she herself was the one with the sickly body. Nee wanted to be the only one to see Shiro unclothed, she wanted Shiro to be healthy and happy and free of her bodily restraints, she wanted so many things but if she ever tried to tell Shiro how she truly felt, the girl would only blame herself and blame her illness and be unhappy. Narcia had no choice but to keep it all bottled in."Once I'm better, we'll have a lot of fun together." Nee said with a nod.
"For now, though, let's try and think of a way to mend the hatred between Tartaria and Ashia." If peace was to be created, this was going to be one of the necessary steps to that goal. "This mutual hatred is deeply ingrained in both our cultures. Ashians hate the uncivilized, warfaring Tartarians, and Tartarians hate the luxurious, selfish Ashians." One nation of squalor, the other of splendor. The only reason Tartaria held the widest amount of territory in the Eastern Continent was because no other nation wanted to populate the vast desert and mountain regions in the middle.
In history, ancient Tartarians were just roving groups of nomadic bandits that survived by pillaging and stealing from other villages, because no one would ever accept them in their own villages. Coriandrum was already founded at the time, and always turned them away, so the primary target for the ancient Tartarians were the lush rain-filled lands of Etruria and the vast lake Asphodel.Eventually the different nomadic groups started finding each other, and through war and alliances, they eventually became one united group called Tartaria, building an underground city, safe from the heat of the sun. This would eventually be known as Gehenna, Tartaria's capital city. Narcia explained all of this to Shiro, so the pup would understand. "So, the question is, how do we solve this?"
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βEven now, the smiling savior is a faΓ§ade.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
Princess Nui was already being more helpful than Una could ever be, suggesting courses of action for the Silver Princess to take if she wanted to help. Una felt completely at a loss. Of course, why couldn't she have thought of any of those things at all? She already failed the test, didn't she? Nui already thought of her as a mental invalid, someone who wasn't worthy of the crown. Thyella, thankfully, managed to keep her head in the game. "Here, the coordinates of where I found them." The maid said with a grin, sending them to the Silver Princess's holo. "We should take the bodies and bring them back here, so that their chips can't be used to create androids." That made so much sense, it was painful to not have been able to consider it. "I'll do that. Their bodies deserve to be brought home to their loved ones." Una said, nodding stiffly, and Heron did a little wiggle and Una didn't know why.
Nui was giving her words of encouragement, telling her not to be nervous and Una wondered just how easily she was seen through. Of course someone as intelligent and skilled as Princess Nui, one of the brains behind the Ashian Civil War (according to the news she was privy to, at least) would be able to realize just how afraid Una was of ruling. "I'm all that's left of the Malachite family." Una whispered. "If I hadn't fallen sick, I could have convinced my brother not to go to war. It's my responsibility to do well for the Tartarian people." If she wasn't sick, she could have changed the course of history, and many of those who were now dead could have lived. But because of her frailty, that was impossible.
After Riana and Nui's exchange, and Riana confirmed that she would be sending a shipment of supplies straight to Gehenna as quickly as possible - a few hours at the most - Una knew she needed to say something, she had to help formulate some sort of plan, a course of action. But the Silver Princess felt overwhelmed and all she could do was try not to cry as Heron lunged at her and spoke about how cute and small she was, how infantile and incompetent she was. Theylla drew her knife and was about to issue a warning but then Nui stopped it, slapping Heron across the face and telling her not to take her seriously. Another knight, a male one, muttered something under his breath that sounded like 'stupid Heron' and heron grinned goofily. "But she'd be such a cute daughter, Princess! She'd be our child!" Heron laughed and patted Nui on the head and Una was terribly confused. "We'll be the best parents for her!"
Then someone knocked on the door. Astor's voice was heard, requesting to be invited in. Thyella got into action immediately, pushing the Ashians behind a hidden door to a hidden, secret closet. "You may enter, Astor." Una knew she was in the crosshairs. Everyone of importance was honing in on her now, gauging her ability to rule. One misstep and it would definitely spell death. "It's nice to see you, Princess Una." Astor did a customary bow and sat himself down on the chair opposite of Una's desk. "I hope everything's been well here." Una nodded, trying to be as professional as she could. "Yes, I'm fine. Still trying to become accustomed to being awake again." She said quietly, and Astor nodded, as if he understood. Should she ask about Jezebeth? Or would that be too obvious?
"Here, take a look at this." Astor produced a holo of the battle Thyella was at, showing the dead Ashians and Tartarians at the fallen pod site. Astor shook his head, as if he were saddened by it. "There was a battle on Tartarian soil, Princess. The Ashian military is insisting on being aggressive towards us. Our heads of military agree with me. With all due respect, princess, you're still young, so perhaps you don't truly understand." Astor spoke and Una felt small and tiny, she felt unfit for the task before her. "But in cases like this, to protect our loved ones, we have to declare war."
Una felt panic rising inside of her. No, she didn't want war at all. How was she going to just explain this away, though? Before she could think, Astor spoke further. "If you don't agree, Princess, many of our generals and officers might decide you're unfit to be Queen, and they might turn against you. You wouldn't want that, would you?" Una froze. What was she supposed to say to this? She didn't want this at all! But then another voice was heard, someone casually strolling into the room. Her butler, Orthrys, had arrived. "Sure, we can go to war. That's a splendid idea." Wait, what was he doing? Was he betraying her? "I mean, Tartaria's military is understaffed, and the Taenarum - our best warship - is still undergoing heavy repairs. And this time, Frelia won't back us, while Ashia is powerful, and has the might of Etruria and Coriandrum as allies. Our armies are like a mouse fighting against a god. It's an absolutely splendid time to go to war, isn't it?" Astor grit his teeth and Orthrys gave her a wink and a bow, placing a tiny cake on her desk. "I prepared this for you, Princess, for your pleasure." A cruel joke. She wouldn't be able to eat, anyways.
Astor stood up, and sighed. "That is all. I'll come back later to discuss in further detail what we should do. Have a nice day, Princess." With that, Jezebeth's mouthpiece left, and Orthrys shut the door. Thyella returned, with the Ashians, and sighed a breath of relief. "Jezebeth is making her move, then. We need to find her and put a stop to this." They really did have to, didn't they? If the situation was allowed to escalate, Tartaria might fall into a civil war - with those supporting her fighting against Jezebeth's allies. Una knew now, that no matter what she did, she wouldn't be enough. So, holding her tears in, she lowered herself onto her knees in front of Princess Nui.
"Please.... help me."
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βA heart's a heavy burden.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
"Heron, you can't just go around touching and hugging everyone!" Cress snapped, wishing that Heron would get her head out of the clouds. It was clear that Heron was being an idiot, wanting to hug Una and take her in as their 'daughter.' Cress was a bit perturbed that Heron would so easily turn back to this perverted nature, as well as the fact that she didn't want to have kids, she couldn't even go near a man, much less do anything like that to have kids. Never mind the fact that Cress didn't want to bear children, she didn't want to feel another life growing inside of her. The thought was scary, of caring for a child that was so fragile it could break when dropped was petrifying. Nope, nope, Cress was never going to have kids! Not as long as she had a say in it!
As it turned out, Una was afraid. Cress put on a gentle smile, taking Una's hands gently in her own. "I'm sure you'll make a great ruler. You just have to believe in yourself," Cress gave a short, confident nod. "Have courage and kindness, show the people how it's done, and soon enough they'll follow." It wouldn't be immediate, nothing ever happened quickly, but it would be soon. "Trust in yourself," there were a lot of fears and doubts that came with being a ruler, a lot of negativity that they needed to expel from their bodies and minds if they ever had a hope of wanting to succeed. If the people saw that their ruler was confident, then they would follow without question. That was how Narina had ensured her rule, it was no doubt how the Seraphim's had stayed in power for so long.
There was a knock on the door, Cress's eyes widened and Thyella jumped into action. Heron grabbed the handles of the wheelchair, wheeling Cress into the office and Finnley jumping in behind them. A man named Astor entered and Cress recognized the voice, her heart skipping a painful beat. Did you capture the targets? The voice matched to near perfection and Cress's hands balled into fists, wanting to get up and tear at the man's throat, to beat him for hurting and killing her friends so casually without a second thought. They were people too! They deserved to live just as much as anyone else! Heron placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her and Cress was jolted from her rage. This was the man who made Nee crawl like a dog across the desert floor.
They couldn't let any harm come to him, not as of right now. Hopefully Una fulfilled her part in placing the tracking chip in his pocket o that they could locate Jezebeth's lair. When it was safe to come out, Thyella opened the door and Heron wheeled Cress back out. Princess Una collapsed to the ground, begging the Princess to do something. "I'll help," Cress said, a fire burning in her red eyes. "I'll keep him from invading Ashiha Palace." If Tartaria tried for another war, they wouldn't survive, not with how little supplies they had left and how few soldiers remained. "I'm going to go to my room to prepare for Queen Riana's shipment, I'm afraid we're going to nee an escort considering my security detail was wiped out." That's right, they had proof of such things.
This Astor man wanted to play games? Fine, Cress could play games too. She could tell Nee exactly what had happened and let Nee's cunning and wrath find their way here, they could unleash Kora's inner wolf. "We have some time to ourselves," Heron whispered as they reached the room. Cress felt a shiver as Heron's mouth latched onto her ear, nibbling and sucking on the skin. "Heron what are... you doing?" Cress asked, writhing beneath her. "I told you I was gonna teach you all the good things about love," Heron's fingers traced on top of her dress. "I'll overwrite those bad memories."
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βYes Mistress.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
Shiro smiled, "I know we will, even in your chair, I already have a lot of fun with you." The unconventional kind that most other woman didn't ever get to experience. Nee's love was the best kind there was and Shiro had the markings to prove it. Just thinking about it made a light blush flush on her cheeks. When Nee said that Ellis was very special to her, Shiro smiled again. "Ellis is my friend," yes, a precious friend that would hopefully never leave her side. Shiro put her pacifier in her mouth, giving it a few quick suckles and then taking it back out because there were still somethings that Shiro needed to do. After the scary machine that made noises that reminded Shiro of the vest, it was only natural that the pup would want her pacifier.
Now they had to think of a way to bring together Tartaria and Ashia. It was too bad it was going to remain another country, they could have used the territory to expand the homes of the Rubble and Sanitary Tiers. Shiro was dressed again and placed the blanket back on the bed, going into auto pilot and making the entire bed up. She fluffed pillows and tucked corners so tightly that you could have bounced a quarter off of them. Shiro blinked, realizing what she was doing and she went back over to Nee's side. "Isn't Cress's gardening a show of good will? We could let them name the gardens though." No doubt they would want to name them after their fallen Kings, Mephisto, and Semyon. It was a little scary to think that they would immortalize those two oppressive rulers.
"Maybe we should preach love instead of hate?" Shiro said, taking a quote directly out of Cress's book. As much as Shiro loved Nee, her beloved was sort of clueless when it came to people. It seemed like what one didn't get, the other inherited. While Cress was good with people, Narcia was cold and candid with them and where Cress lacked intelligence, Nee made up double fold. Shiro didn't mind though, to Shiro, Nee was smart and strong and infallible. Shiro loved her and everything that came with her. "We can start with holo new," Shiro suggested with a smile. "We can contact the media and tell them a bunch of good things to talk about!" Well Shiro wouldn't get to do any of this, not since she was supposed to be in a coma.
There was another thing that the girls needed to take care, something that thinking about made Shiro blush and wiggle happily. "We should start compiling the guest list." The pup brought out a tablet, one that Nee had encrypted so that when she wasn't there, she could check in on Shiro using the camera. "I think we should invite Queen Riana and Cumin," Shiro wondered if Kora was really going to find her parents, the thought excited her. "Kora said that she was going to go look for my parents and I still have to find Nani too." Shiro sat on the floor beside the wheelchair, comfortable on the fake grass.
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βIt's time to break the umbilical cord. I don't need you anymore.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
Narcia felt her heart heat up in an odd way when Shiro said that even in her wheelchair, they still had fun. The ice queen nodded, trying to get this feeling of unease out of her system. She did something unforgivable, something awful and there was no real atonement for that as long as she kept it a secret. But how could she just tell Shiro and shatter her lover's delicate heart like that? How could she wipe away Shiro's smile, how could she make her cry and fear ever making friends in the first place? "I have fun with you as well, Shi." Nee said, yet she wanted to cry because of how wretched she was.
Gardens to honor the fallen Tartarian Kings. The idea sent a chill up her spine, even if it seemed to be a good one. Naming the garden after them would be a show of both good will and forgiveness, wouldn't it? Mixed with the water - water that would have to be checked for any chemicals that might have caused the illness - hopefully Tartaria would realize that they no longer had a need to remain enemies. "That's a good idea, Shi." Nee said, beaming with pride. "And no doubt my sister's already spreading peace as much as she can. We should help out as well." And holo news seemed like a good idea. Cress and Una would help mend Tartaria's citizen's hearts, while Shiro and Narcia would work on making Ashia willing to accept and forgive Tartaria as well.
A guest list - and just as importantly, a date - would need to be made up. After marking on her phone to remind her to call up the Tower News Network, Shiro started making her list. Queen Riana, Princess Cumin - and her brother, Kail, by extension, were on the list. "Una as well." Narcia added after a brief thought. "And-" She froze when Shiro mentioned Kora, and her agreement and Nee realized how grave her sin was. "Shiro, I-" That was when there was an emergency transmission from Xion. Wren was apparently found on the street, bloody and horribly injured, near death.
About an hour later, Narcia and Shiro were in the private medical bay. Xion and Corren were there as well, both of whom knew Shiro's secret so it was safe for her to be there. "I scanned her and removed any tracking devices and bugs." Xion said. Wren looked to be in a horrible state, and Nee was very thankful Corren already covered most of the wounds. The blue haired girl made a weak noise, as if trying to see through the bandages over her eyes. "It'll be okay. It's not your fault. It's Narina's fault, you're a good girl." Narcia said quietly, brushing her intended's hair. "....Is that you... Shiro?" Wren asked. "Narina... she caught me.... but it's all A okay. I'll be better... real quick for you, so don't cry." Xion, Corren, and Narcia all knew, though. Wren was interrogated and tortured for information and Shiro, and they knew the blue haired girl didn't reveal the tiniest detail.
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βEven now, the smiling savior is a faΓ§ade.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
With the perverted knight reprimanded, Una tried to calm herself. It was just a quirk, it was nothing to worry about. It was just Heron being harmless, she was an ally, it was fine. After enough repetitions, Una made herself believe those words begrudgingly. Nui then gave her advice, telling her how to rule, and the Silver Princess did her best to remember every word. She needed to believe in herself, she needed to be kind and strong, she needed to have self confidence, and by setting a good example, eventually the people will follow. She nodded fervently, but then realized how childish that looked, so Una said in a diminutive little voice. "O-okay. Thank you. I'll do my best for Tartaria." Right now, Una wasn't doing much at all, was she? Thyella and Orthrus were handling almost everything for her, her best and loyal friends.
Meeting with Astor was hard on her nerves and Una felt like she was drowning when it was done. It was only after Astor left that the Silver Princess realized that she completely forgot to place the tracker on. Her eyes brimmed with holographic tears and the girl shook her head, hating herself for being such a failure. "I forgot... to..." Orthrus then picked up the tiny cake and munched on it, knowing Una couldn't eat in her current form. "I did it for you, idiot princess." The butler said in his most abrasive voice. "No cake for you." Thyella looked like she was about to fume and Una felt even more miserable and incompetent. "Th-thank you. I'll, um..." But the words wouldn't come out so with help of a glare from the maid, Orthrus sighed and patted her holographic head, hand going through, making it shimmer. "Just let us do all the work, since you're clearly-" The combat maid then punched him in the side, shutting him up.
Princess Nui promised that she would help, and said that they'd need an escort. Thyella smiled and went with the Ashians, after giving Orthrus a glare to tell him to behave. "I'll take them to their room, Una. I'm pretty strong, after all!" Then Heron grinned, pulling her spear out and twirling it in her hands, taking it as a challenge. "Oh, you are, huh? C'mon, Cress, I'm stronger than any escort! Let me handle everything!" Thyella smiled and pulled out her knives hidden in her poofy sleeves, and that was when Orthrus interrupted them. "Yes, because fighting in Una's room is the perfect way to plan a strategy." That stopped the fight pretty quickly. "I'll... okay. I'll prepare a team to extract the bodies of your comrades while you wait for Riana's supplies." Una said, feeling useless, always relying on her retainers to do everything for her.
Once the Ashians were gone, she and Orthrus were going to have to plan things out. "If we want the bodies, we should get to them right away. That's what's going through that head of yours, isn't it, Una?" The Silver Princess nodded - the sooner the better. Orthrus's voice lowered slightly. "Be careful, though. Other than Thyella and I, I'm not sure we can trust anyone else fully. Jezebeth might have gotten into their heads." So if they were going to get the bodies, the less amount of people sent on the mission, the better. "Um, Orthrus-" He looked at her, then spoke over her. "I'll spread rumors that the extraction ship houses Princess Nui to bait an attack. It'll be good to get a glimpse at the attackers... maybe capture one alive and see what they know." Una lowered her head, wishing she was smart enough to have thought of that. "Okay. I trust you, Orthrus. Come back safely." He then put a hand into his pocket and fished out a holo disc with a grin. "Oh, but you're coming with me, aren't you? It'd be good field experience."
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βA heart's a heavy burden.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
"You make such cute sounds when you're enjoying yourself." Heron grinned and Cress blushed, looking away. "Stop it," she said, sounding like a spoiled child that didn't want to eat her vegetables or something of the sort. Heron trailed her fingers down Cress's spine. They were playing board game, the two of them laying on their stomachs on the bed. "I'm only speaking the truth," Heron said up, she was no longer wearing the maid uniform, but a knight uniform that belonged to the Tartarian military, saying she simply wanted one of the cool uniforms for herself. Cress was no longer wearing the fancy dress either, but something that would be easier to garden in. "I just got the call from Riana, it's time to move out." Cress nodded her head, not resisting as Heron lifted her to put her in the wheelchair.
Riana was also sending some medical supplies to replace Cress's supplements that had been lost in the fire. "Next time we play Chutes and Ladders, I get to go first." Cress had been teaching Heron the game with a board made on paper and their pieces being buttons Heron had found in the drawer. The two of them had been having a little of fun, but Heron was obviously cheating. "You said it yourself, that's the luck of the draw." Heron laughed and took the handles of the wheelchair, wheeling Cress out to where the elevator was. Finnley was waiting there for them, also wearing the Tartarian military uniform. "You two look great," Cress smiled.
There were more waiting for them in the lobby. "Oh, these are perfect." Cress clapped her hands together, seeing her supplies. "Let's start in the city center," It was a barren square of rugged dust and red dirt. "Heron, put me on the ground please." Heron eased Cress out of the wheelchair and onto the ground and Cress used her hands to survey the dirt. "I'll need two bags of soil," she began listing off the things she would need to make this desert cave able to house the edible flowers she was going to plant. "Where do you want me to start building the tubing?" Finnley inquired, holding a beginner's guide to hydroponics. "Over there," Cress pulled on a pair of gloves.
She began to work the hard earth, mixing it with the soil so that the plants would know to root into the desert earth. "Need some help?" Heron got down on her knees, copying Cress's motions as Cress overturned the soil. Cress didn't mind crawling across the dirt, she didn't mind the desert dust that clung to her every exposed layer of skin, or the red plant vitamin mixer that smudged across her face. Her hair glistened with sweat in the high afternoon, but despite the hard work, Cress was smiling. She was in her element, planting, pulling, readying soil, watering the ground. Cress reached for her water bottle, accidentally drinking the water mixed with plant vitamin. Cress spit it out, wiping at her tongue. "Ugh, that tastes awful."
Heron was laughing, holding onto her side. "I was gonna say something, but I decided against it because you were so in your zone." Cress punched Heron's shoulder. "It's like butterfly kisses," Heron teased, stealing a kiss in return. "Let's focus, we're nearly done with this section." Cress said, trying to get to her feet, only to collapse. "Hey, whoa there," Heron grabbed her, easing Cress back down. "I'm fine, I just forgot." The princess objected and Heron shook her head. "You've been hard at work for a few hours now, it's nearly sunset." It wasn't enough, there was still so much Cress needed to cover. "Let's just do one more plot, I promise after that I'm done." They were at the edge of the city now. People stopped to watch them, they murmured at the holos that flickered around the fresh dirt, informing citizens to stay away.
"Cress, Corren is gonna kill me if I let you overdo it on the first day. Besides, you need to eat," Heron carried Cress back to her wheelchair, placing the princess in. Finnley rejoined them with the soil samples from the outer districts. This wasn't the only city they would be working in, Cress still had so much work to cover. "Thanks," she murmured as Finnley put the samples in her bag of magic gardening tools. "We should report to Princess Una and let her know that our first day on the job was a success."
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βYes Mistress.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
Shiro blushed when Nee said that she had fun with her as well. It was true wasn't it? That's what lovers did, they had fun with one another in ways that no one else could know about. It was a good thing that Corren had left, he had work to do, soldiers to fix. How was Kora doing? Shiro wondered. Had the knight found herself a place to stay? A good job? Had Itward taken her somewhere to help make her feel better? Itward could always station Kora in one of the port cities away from Ashia Palace, then not only would her friend still have her job, but she would get to see the world! Shiro wished she could travel more too, but she knew that in the end, she belonged here, in the palace, by Nee's side. "I hope that we can have lots more fun together in the future too."
Praise felt great, Shiro was a good girl, she was coming up with all sorts of ideas that Narcia liked! That's what good girls did after all, they spent their days helping people out, especially the ones they loved. Shiro was a good girl, so she would be as helpful as Nee, as anyone, needed the Queen to be. Were Queens good girls too? Narcia certainly was one. Narina wasn't though, she may have thought she was a good girl, but she said mean things and hurt people for no reason. Kora was a good girl too! She helped her friends and she sacrificed a lot being in the royal military as a knight. Did that mean by default that all knight's were good girls? Some of them were good boys too no doubt. Shiro hoped that they weren't abusing their titles, that they were upholding all of the Palace's principles and were being kind and courageous in every way.
"We can invite Una too and lots of other people! Maybe we should invite the orphans too!" They no doubt could use a good cheering up and a wedding was just the event! It was going to be the talk of the year, Shiro was certain. The thought of getting to wear a wedding gown for Nee, of getting to be so grown up, it made Shiro blush again and she tapped her cheeks, shaking her head. Shiro needed to focus! "What's that Nee?" Shiro asked, seeing as how her beloved was trying to ask her a question and Shiro was off in la-la land doing who knows what! Shiro was wearing her most innocent smile, eyes sparkling in wonder the way they did whenever she was thinking about happy things.
Then it all came crashing down. There was an emergency in the med bay. Shiro was shoved underneath the invisibility cloak once more, Ellis falling from her arms. "What's going on?" Shiro asked, hardly able to comprehend a thing that had just happened. Ellis was picked up and the pup was placed on Narcia's lap. They rushed down the hall and Shiro felt a sense of dread cement itself into her stomach as they neared the sick bay. Wren was in the royal sick bay, being tended to by Corren. "Wren," Shiro felt tears brimming on her eyes. She fled the safety of the invisibility cloak before Xion could even close the door and ran up to her friend, her protector, the girl that had been by her side through many sick nights, rubbing Shiro's back, memories of her staying beside her in the servant sick bay while Shiro was running a fever or had been beaten again.
Corren was saying words, Nee was trying to comfort her, but they were a buzz of background noise. Her friend spoke to her weakly, Shiro's tears rolled down her cheeks, glistening as they hit the ground. Her happy, innocent smile was gone, replaced by a shattered look of despair. "It's me," Shiro confirmed, her voice seeming so small. In that moment, everything about Shiro seemed so fragile, like glass that would break with one touch. This was her fault, Narina was after her and so she had gone to Shiro's protector. "This is... my fault." A tear ran down her face, most of Wren was covered in bandages, her bright blue hair matted with blood. "If I wasn't... if you weren't..." Nee was comforting her too, calling her a good girl, but if Shiro really was a good girl, then why did everyone she love end up getting hurt?
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βIt's time to break the umbilical cord. I don't need you anymore.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
It felt blissful being with Shiro, but all bliss had an end, didn't it? Even if the emergency transmission from Xion hadn't happened, Narcia would have broken Shiro's poor heart regardless with admitting what happened to Kora. Shiro said that they were going to have plenty of fun times together in the future and the ice queen very dearly hoped that it was true. "I hope so as well." Narcia said in a low, pained whisper. She hoped beyond hope, but what she did to Kora was horrible. Kora was Shiro's friend. What was she thinking? Why hadn't she been a little more careful before going through with it that risky procedure to bring back Aya?
Many people, it was going to be a huge celebration to mark a new age of peace and love for Ashia Palace. It'd have to happen after Narina was gone for good, of course. Once Narina was gone, a true peace treaty could be drafted. Aquarius had already surrendered to the Western Continent, and Stalford now had peace on his half of the planet. All they needed was for Narina to die so that Una could maintain control over Tartaria. "The orphans, and many others too. It'll be the happiest day of our lives, and I want to share it with everyone." And just like an ill omen, Xion messaged, telling them about Wren.
Wren was talking, trying to sound strong even with the pain, and her voice was slurred, almost dizzy since no doubt Corren had her on pain medication to try and dull the agony as much as he could. The lively blue haired girl made a weak smile and wrapped her hand around the crying and shattered Shiro, and Nee knew not even her words could do anything to help. "I didn't tell... her anything, Nee." Wren said, and no matter how she tried, her voice sounded weak and exhausted. "But I think she suspects that Shiro's okay. You gotta.... keep her safe. No matter what." The only hint to how much she was hurting was how her voice shook at the end of each word. "It's not... your fault, Shiro, you doofus. I'm fine. Something like this isn't enough to hurt me, silly."
Nee's words weren't reaching Shiro, and something else needed to be done, in any case. First, she needed to know this much. "Corren, how bad are the injuries? Is there any permanent damage?" Corren seemed reluctant to go into much detail with Shiro around, but he answered on somewhat vague terms. "There's nothing we can't fix. It should take a few days. The injuries look worse than they actually are." He went quiet. "Whatever happened, Narina wanted us to find her alive." Then Nee turned her eyes towards Xion, who gave a gentle smile and showed the results of the bug scan. "Already removed everything. She's clean."
"Where did you find her, Xion?" So Xion pulled up a map of Ashia Palace with business like precision - it was the Arantra District of the Rubble Tier, not far from where the Filia family once lived. "She was here, and Itward sent knights to search the area. There was a warning, saying not to mess with Tartaria once they found the torture room, but we know for sure it was Narina." Wren did her best to nod in assurance. "It was her. No question about it." If there was slander like that, no wonder Ashians still hated Tartarians. "Clean it. Get rid of it. We don't want them hating Tartarians more than they already do." Xion nodded with affirmation. "Already done." She said and handed Nee a lollipop. Narcia, of course, knew what to do with it. "Shiro, here. It's only for good girls, and it's for you." Nee wanted Shiro to not blame herself for this tragedy. "Narina is the bad girl, she's the one who will be punished. You did nothing wrong, I promise." Wren did her best attempt at a smile. "You're the best girl there is, Shiro! So don't beat yourself up about it, alright?"
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βEven now, the smiling savior is a faΓ§ade.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
It was weird, being in a ship. At this point, Una was far more accustomed to instantaneous travel via transferring her mind through various holo discs containing the port for her consciousness to enter. As such, something like this, actually flying to a location, was odd in and of itself. Thyella was back in Gehenna, keeping a careful watch over Princess Nui, Heron, Finnley, and Ghenna as they did their work, so it was Una and Orthrus and a few other staff members to retrieve the bodies. As it turned out, it wasn't too far from Gehenna by flight - maybe a day and a half march to get to the Abyssal City by foot. So far, it seemed like all was going well.
"I, um, I'd like for-" Orthrus shot her a dry stare and shook his head. Una fell silent, not knowing how to give the order, not sure how to sound strong and confident. Her butler served her a cookie and ate it himself, as he always did, and mouthed words for her to repeat. "Everyone, I want you to retrieve the corpses of the Ashian scientists and make sure they each have something to identify them by. Top priority is retrieving and destroying their ID Chips in their left wrists so that they can't be used for nefarious means!" The girl almost stumbled over her words if it wasn't for Orthrus guiding her. "But make it quick, enemies might be on the move." Orthrus added sternly, then lowered his voice. "You still sound too much like a scared little schoolgirl, Una. I'm sure that's the model behind every strong leader."
Una shook her head, watching as her soldiers moved out, taking the bodies, and treated them with respect as they brought them back into the ship, each on their own bed. "It's hard, Orthrus. I'm not.... I'm still an eight year old girl..." Orthrus snorted then, sounding very unlike a butler as he did so. "Yes, admitting that you're a child is definitely the right way to inspire confidence." He sighed, looking vaguely disappointed as Una withered, and the butler poured more tea for himself. "Like it or not, this is your responsibility. Thyella and I will do our best to help, but you have to pull your weight as well. This is how to ensure peace." Una knew that, she knew this was necessary. But it didn't change the fact that she was afraid.
Once all the bodies were loaded and stored safely, it was time to return to Ashia Palace. Of course, rumors were spread about that Princess Nui was aboard this ship, retrieving her fallen comrades, and just as expected, someone took the bait. A few ships attacked and so Orthrus did his duty - piloting. The man was lazy and sarcastic and hated doing work, but his expertise was flying a ship. Thyella was much better at physical combat, but this was what Orthrus's primary skill was at. So he maneuvered their ship, idly reading a message at the same time. "Queen Riana's shipments have arrived, by the way." He spoke in a bored voice as he shot down the other dragon ships.
Once the battle was over, Orthrus made sure to leave exactly one survivor, and he ordered the soldiers to restrain the latest victim for his torture and interrogation games. Una wanted to pretend she didn't know what her old friend's habits were and remained mostly quiet for the ride back to Gehenna. Once back to the palace, the bodies were each placed in pods of mourning, made to look as if they were asleep, and their dogtags were in Orthrus's hand, casually placing them on Una's desk once they were back in her office. It was night now. Una made a call to Princess Nui, announcing her mission success. "Well, I'm off to have fun with my new friend." Orthrus said, leaving Una to make her report. "Um, we retrieved the bodies and their identification for their families. Once again, I'm really sorry. Too many died for such a... s-senseless reason..." Una wanted to cry. She hated war, she hated fighting and death. She just wanted a world where everyone could live peacefully.
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βA heart's a heavy burden.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
"Then when I got back, she told me that the wedding was off! Can you believe her?" Finnley was regaling them in the tale of how his engagement was broken off. Apparently, when Narina charged him with treason, his family abandoned him and revoked him from the will, the girl he was madly in love with and supposed to marry, tore out and stomped on his heart by jumping ship a well. "I'm sure they only did it because the other noble houses expected it." Cress said as the wheels stopped, getting stuck in the sand for the third time in an hour. Finnley lifted the front of the chair and Heron the back. People ceased in their tracks to watch them, no doubt curious about the trio with tan skin and exotic hair and eyes. Most Tartarians were deathly pale, as though they never saw the sun. It was a shame considering that the desert was their backyard.
"Are you drinking?" Heron asked, opening up Cress's water bottle and forcing the girl to take a few steady sips. "Now I am," Cress wiped her mouth with her arm, leaving a streak. She was covered head to toe in desert dirt. "I think, if she really loved you, she would have waited for you like you asked her to." Finnley grunted, no doubt tired of speaking of it. He was the one who had brought it up in the first place, or maybe that was Heron, Cress wasn't so sure. "Yeah, you're right. Maybe I should have jumped while I had the chance and married Shiro." He burst out laughing and Cress politely tittered, not finding the idea as amusing. To pay for his treason, Finnley had been assigned to watch over Shiro since in the end she had been less of a lady in waiting and more of a tool for Narina's amusement.
"I think if you had tried to touch Shiro, Nee would have had you beheaded." Both knights laughed at that, as though the idea were so outlandish. Finnley straightened then, his tone not as humorous. "I still feel bad for what I did, I probably could have saved them a lot of pain, but I was so scared of Narina." They all were, whenever you spoke to any soldier, bringing up Narina felt like a sin. She was like a PTSD trigger, sending everyone who heard the name into a fi. Just thinking about her, about her cold, heartless, mother sent chills up her spine. If it weren't thanks to Thyella's team, no doubt the trio would have been assaulted by strangers. They were hailed as 'outsiders' and if it was one thing that Tartarians didn't like, it was tourists.
They reached the palace gate now and headed up the steps. Well, I'll see you tomorrow," Cress and Heron watched Finnley go. "Bath time!" The knight chimed, wheeling Cress to the elevator. "We're both so dirty, I'm sure a nice, long, hot bath would do just the trick to get us ready for dinner." Tomorrow too, they had plenty of work cut out for them if they wanted to make it back home within a month. So far, no invitation from Jezebeht, Cress couldn't help but feel relieved. Una had forgotten to put the tracker on Astaroth and Cress wondered if Una was possibly a slightly taller and blonder version of Shiro.
They were in the room now, the smell of dinner wafting down the hall. It smelled spicy and exotic and Cress couldn't wait to try some. Heron ran the bath and Cress began to get undressed, throwing the clothes into a laundry pile. They were borrowed since Cress's things had burned in the fire. "Okay Heron, I'm ready." The knight came out, her voluptuous body making Cress lightly blush. Heron saw it and grinned, lifting Cress up and placing her in the tub. Instantly Cress felt relaxed. "These bubbles smell so nice," she took a deep inhale, the tension unwinding. Heron slid in next, seemingly immune. "It's nice," Heron grinned, her arms wrapping around Cress. Unlike most times, Cress didn't react or protest.
"Mmm, what is this? Vanilla? French vanilla?" Cress breathed it in, a lazy smile sliding onto her face. "Let's wash up," Heron got out the soap, lingering and massaging every inch of Cress's skin. "This doesn't bother you?" Heron asked, a hand on her chest, rubbing a certain little mound between two fingers. Cress shook her head, "It feels... nice."
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βYes Mistress.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
Nothing that couldn't be fixed? It certainly didn't look that way. There were bandages where skin should be, blood where muscle and tissue should have been. Wren looked as though someone had thrown her into the blender and put it on high. "Wren, Wren, please be okay." The pup whimpered. It was probably a bad idea to take Shiro here, even if it was her friend. The poor little pup was inconsolable, holding Wren's hand gently, tears running down her face. This was not an issue her pacifier could fix, this was something much worse. If Shiro just gave herself over, Narina wouldn't keep hurting the people she loved. Right? If Shiro went, she would be a good girl, she would save all of her friends from their suffering. Sure Narina would probably do terrible things to her, make it so that Shiro couldn't be with Narcia, but at least they would be safe.
Yes, it would be much better if Shiro just left. Sure, Nee would cry, sure she would be upset and heartbroken, but if Shiro's death meant that Nee got to live, that the people she loved would stop being hurt, then Shiro would do it. Wren was speaking then, saying that Narina suspected that she was alive, that she was okay. There was a way to stop this, all Shiro had to do was walk out that door. Her legs shook at the thought, if Shiro went, it would mean she would probably never get to see Nee again. There was another fracture in her heart, painfully wedging itself into place. No, Shiro couldn't do that. Even if she loved everyone, she was selfish, she wanted to be with Narcia for the rest of her life. The only way to defeat Narina was with love, so that's what Shiro would do.
Shiro whimpered and trembled, knowing that Narina was out there, that she was actively looking for her, it terrified the pup. She felt something warm between her legs and Shiro sobbed even more, realizing what she had done. Shame filled her for committing such a terrible act here and now, unable to hold it in. "I'm sorry," Shiro whimpered, "I'm a bad girl." Corren came over, holding something in his hand. He was gentle, as he peeled away Shiro's wet clothes, wiping her off with a damp towel. As a doctor, something like this didn't scar him or make him turn away, he had handled much worse. In fact, washing Shiro off was easy. "These are all I have," Corren said, looking to Narcia before putting them on. It was a medical diaper, the kind you would put on someone who you couldn't put a catheter in. Since they were in the royal medical suite, he had a nightgown too.
Shiro was blushing heavily, feeling as though they were all looking at her as Corren fixed the diaper around her, then put the nightgown over her head. Shiro went over to Nee, feeling small as she burst into tears again. While all that had happened, Xion had already given Nee the details and so Shiro went over to Nee, feeling like her tail was in between her legs. She took Ellis from Nee's lap, hugging him against her as she cried. Nee had a lollipop, she looked like her normal, loving self. Shiro gingerly took it from her, clear hesitance in her eyes. She unwrapped the sucker and placed it in her mouth, the taste of summer berries dancing on her tongue. "Th-thank y-y-you." The pup stuttered. It was clear that her spirits were down, even with the two comforting her.
"I-I'm n-not." Shiro replied, because it was the truth. "A good girl would have been able to help, a good girl wouldn't have let her friend get injured!" Shiro felt tears running down her face again. Wren was practically her big sister and yet, Shiro failed her. She was a bad girl, she deserved to be punished for being so awful. Wren should have given her up, that way at least she would be alive and safe. Shiro would be punished and Nee would be sad though. The thought of what Narina might do... it made Shiro whimper and shake again. If there was a chance of being caught, Narina would probably do to Shiro what Itward had done to Aya. Shiro didn't want that, she wanted to be able to feel the love Nee gave her, even if thinking about it made her blush.
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βIt's time to break the umbilical cord. I don't need you anymore.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
Narcia's mind idled slightly. It wasn't that she wasn't being attentive to the current issue at hand, but rather, a new strange idea suddenly appeared, one relating directly to Kora's situation. The girl was flying above the city in what was essentially a coma, with Itward and Doctor Benkov attending her. The longer they remained in the air, the longer, theoretically, no one would figure out the truth behind what happened. Nee wanted to atone, but she knew now that revealing the truth wasn't how to do it. No, she needed to stamp the truth out and bury it, and provide an illusion of a different possible truth to present to the world. If she told others, it'd only burden them and hurt them needlessly. Shiro's reaction to Wren was proof enough of this.
But first, a possible solution to the problem was this. If she could somehow wake Kora up, then one method would be examining the brain directly. It was too dangerous to remove the chip port now, who knows what that would do to her mental state, but if they could directly see the effects of the personality transfer on the brain in a way ENG scanning can't, perhaps a method to waking her up would become apparent. so if they cut open her head and - she would need to think more, of course. It wasn't the time now for a hasty decision. What also needed to be planned for was what lie to feed everyone that would explain Kora's disappearance, and how to shut Itward and Benkov up about the procedure. They were a liability until their silence was guaranteed.
Thankfully, Shiro accepted the lollipop even though she was still in a bad state. The pup kept apologizing, kept crying, and no matter what Wren weakly tried to say, it didn't seem to be working. The bluenette seemed to be getting more stressed out by Shiro's tears than by her own injuries, and - Nee wasn't sure, but wasn't stress bad for the healing process? It hurt the ice queen's heart to see her like this, and more hatred festered, hatred that could only be solved with Narina's permanent eradication. "You aren't a bad girl, Shiro." Nee said, bringing a hand to her beloved's cheek, retrieving a tear on her fingertip. "Only good girls can cry. Bad girls hurt others, but good girls cry and want everyone to be happy." She needed to try and overwrite Shiro's definition of bad and good, to make her see sense before the pup made a decision everyone would regret.
"A bad girl is a girl that hurts people and enjoys hurting them." Narcia explained in an unwavering, steady tone. "A bad girl laughs when people are hurting, a bad girl wants to make people sad and cry." She poked showed Shiro's tear to her, before returning it to her cheek with as gentle a smile as the ice queen could muster. "Good girls cry when their friends are hurt, and want to make the world a happy place." At this rate, Shiro wasn't going to be able to attend the Red Moon Conference, not while she was upset like this. Since Narina seemed to know the truth by now, it wouldn't do harm to update the alliance as much as possible, would it? "So Shiro, tell me, which one are you?"
She stayed at Shiro's side while Wren spoke quietly to the crying girl until it was time for the Red Moon Conference to begin. She gave her lover a nudge. "I should to the Conference. Do you want come with me?" She ordered Xion to guard the room from the outside to the best of her ability, and Narcia wheeled herself farther in, through a secret passage she had built specifically for a stealth operation - one that connected directly to the Playground. She booted up the secure server, since this night was the one night a year Ourania's moon glowed red, for a reason yet unknown to science. It was time to plan a strategy with the other royals.
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βEven now, the smiling savior is a faΓ§ade.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
The Red Moon Conference had begun and Una felt incredibly nervous in this virtual room, surrounded by people who were definitely all much better than she was. Queen Narcia's fierce and cold icy eyes gazed upon everyone with a ferocity that was both intimidating and powerful all in one. Queen Riana of Coriandrum wasn't her usual calm and gentle self - but rather cunning and calculating, eyes narrowed as the gears spun in her head. Even the friendly and bubbly Princess Cumin was a force to be reckoned with, smiling pleasantly at everyone from her corner. And last but not least was Princess Nui, whose heart burned with a passion brighter than anyone else. Next to them, what was Una, anyways? The Silver Princess of Tartaria wasn't good for anything.
"We're all here to discuss two topics." Queen Narcia said, taking the leadership role in all of this. "In the interest of preventing another war, we must have a discourse on the future of Tartaria, as well as my mother, the former Queen Narina's actions. I invited you all here so we can join our minds and formulate a plan together." Each word was clearly spoken, with purpose and strength. Was that how a Queen was meant to be? Riana then glanced over at Una who tried not to squeak in fear. "Princess Una, would you like to begin with a status report of Tartaria?"
Una nodded, trying desperately not to freeze in place, trying desperately to prove that she wasn't as useless as she feared. "U-um! I- um!" She stumbled three times in succession and Una wanted to melt away and cry in a ball in the corner. Why? Why was she such a failure? And yet no one was interrupting at all. "...Tartaria is..." So in a weak and trembling voice, Una reported. Mutiny was a high risk, and there was a lot of support for Jezebeth. The citizens, in desperation, are in support of war, even if it was a hopeless war. They'd prefer to die in a blaze of glory rather than starving in the desert. She then mentioned how Nui already started her help, and Nui's supplies were given - not to forget Cumin's care packages from her spy network. But the fact of the matter was, Una wasn't recognized or taken seriously by the vast majority of Tartaria.
Cumin spoke then, crisp and sharp, in contrast to her usual gentle tones. "May I suggest a speech of your intentions?" The Etrurian Princess asked prudently, but it was clear she wasn't acting. "Explain your wishes and reasoning to the people, show that you aren't afraid to reveal your intentions." Una felt weak and useless as even Cumin reprimanded her - or at least, that was how her brain interpreted the honest advice. "If you can't even face your public to talk to them, how can they trust that you have their best interests at heart?"
Riana echoed that sentiment, as did Narcia, and Una felt overwhelmed, only able to nod weakly, nauseous at the idea of speaking publicly for all of Tartaria to hear. Was that something all rulers had to do? The Silver Princess felt sick just considering it. But it seemed the scolding and criticism wasn't over yet and Una felt a sheet of ice wash over her. Narcia's cold glare was aimed directly at her soul. "One of your top priorities should be figuring out who isn't loyal to you, and plotting their deaths." Nee said and Una shivered. Assassination? Murder? No! She didn't want to do any of that! "Anyone supporting Jezebeth is a risk. You can't let support for her grow." Una had no idea how to do any of that sort of stuff!
And Riana was joining in now. "You should also try to spread peace and forgiveness to your peoples." The motherly Queen Riana said in a voice that wasn't motherly at all. Una felt like she was being torn apart for her inadequacies, and she knew she deserved it. They were counting on her to do a good job and she failed to deliver. "Princess Nui's also there to help with that, to show that Ashians only want to help revitalize the barren desert and make it habitable." Una lowered her head, quivering. "Y-yes.... I'll do my best..." She sent Nui a silent ask for help, feeling like an insect under a microscope.
Then the topic shifted to the second, and possibly more important point. Una didn't have much input for this one, so she went mostly quiet, glad that Tartaria wasn't being examined this time. They were discussing Narina's actions now, trying to figure out what her next move was going to be. "My mother's goal is unification of the Eastern Continent under Ashia's banner." Queen Narcia explained with absolute certainty. "She's willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal." What was said next sent shivers down Una's spine. For that to work, Narina was going to try and have all the non-Ashian royals killed, and use her android army masquerading as Ashian Knights to subjugate the lands and put them under Ashian rule.
Spoken incredibly matter of factly, Cumin was less a gentle and kind princess and more like an analytical viper. "And it makes sense that the weak and fragile Una would be her first target." Princess Cumin said and Una didn't know what to say to that whatsoever. "Tartaria is the most vulnerable of our alliance nations, so we'll do all we can to lend support." Una already knew she was the weakest one, but it was even more humiliating to have it pointed out so obviously for everyone to ridicule her. The girl already just wanted to cry and never have to bear the weight of a crown. Una felt like she was being crushed by the responsibility that she never wanted to bear.
"Una. It's imperative that you maintain control of the situation in Tartaria. My sister will do her best to help, but the responsibility still lies with you." Una knew it of course, she knew this already. Did they really have to keep telling her over and over again? She was trying her best, wasn't she? "You need to locate where Narina is hiding and eliminate her as quickly as possible." Narcia was staring at her, and Una wondered if it was possible to freeze to death from a stare. "If you fail, Tartaria will once again be riled up in war, and that might spell utter ruin to the nation your brother tried so hard to protect." Una wouldn't look anyone in the eye, just kept her head down. "Yes." She said. It was all she could really say without breaking into tears in front of everyone.
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βA heart's a heavy burden.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
It wasn't as though Cress wasn't grateful, she really was, it was just that maybe Heron wasn't the best person to take a bath with if you wanted to keep some things private. "I didn't know you have a birth mark here," Heron grinned as Cress tried to wash herself, taking away the layers of dirt from planting night sky lavender, the last flower of the day. After the fact, Cress was covered in dust and dirt, as was the entire crew. Heron had started the bath, infusing it with something that smelled familiar and comforting, instantaneously relaxing Cress and making her lower her guard. "Don't look there," Cress blushed, blocking Heron's view with her hands. "I'm the only on that can see it," Heron said with a grin, removing Cress's hands. "You're all for me," Heron kissed her again, trying to override those terrible memories.
Her hands caressed Cress's skin, tracing over the scars from procedures Corren had performed. When Heron broke the kiss, there was spittle running between the two. "What's with you today?" Cress blinked, as though realizing that their lips were no longer interlocked. "You're more touchy than usual," Heron shrugged, revealing her fangs with a grin. "You're my girlfriend aren't you? Am I not allowed to enjoy what's mine?" Cress blushed and looked away in answer, which made Heron laugh. The redhead wrapped her arms around Cress's waist, the scent of the bathtub too distracting to make Cress stiffen up like she normally would.
Instead, Cress closed her eyes, resting her head on Heron's chest. "Tired?" Heron asked and Cress nodded her head. It was only early that morning that they had hiked across the desert, it was only natural to feel exhausted. "I have to attend this conference thing, Nee is forcing me." The red moon, that's what Narcia had called it. Hopefully it would be quick so that Cress could eat her soup and go to sleep. "I'm sure Nee wants you to at least pretend to be interested. This is your future after all," Cress sighed, knowing that this was the fate she had chosen. "I didn't think being a princess would involve so many meetings with other royalty. I thought they just sat around and kissed babies." Cress hadn't realized that being a Princess was hard work, she had to give Nee more credit for doing it.
"Well it's about time to come out, you've gotta attend after all." Heron lifted Cress from the tub and Cress wrapped a towel around herself. If it was Heron's choice, Cress would have slept in no clothes, but she managed to find a nightgown that looked far more dressy, appropriate for a meeting as such. Then it was time to play the waiting game as Cress sat with her holo, waiting for it to ring with the secure connection that would allow her to attend. Finally, it was time. All of the women were there, Ourania's alliance, the strongest and most reliable. Well and Una too. They were off to a good start, getting right to business about the issues and current events happening between Ashia and Tartaria, light and darkness, life and death.
There was one thing though, an increasingly worrying issue that made Cress's brow furrow, then twitch in annoyance. "Stop talking down to her like that!" Cress snapped, feeling mad on Una's behalf. "Sure she's new at this and young, but you guys were all too! Surely you remember the uncertainty that came with wearing the crown? The indecision? The having to weigh the smallest thing because apparently it's a giant political gesture as to what color your sanitary napkins are!" Cress threw her hands up in the air, clear frustration on her face. She took a deep breath, attempting to maintain her composure.
"It's natural to be afraid, especially when you're just starting out. Let's try to support Una as much as we can." That Cress was certain on, because without Una, they wouldn't have even gotten this far. Cress's progress may have been reversed depending on what Narina AKA Jezebeth wanted to play. Right now their mother had done a fine job of trying to get an edge on them, but it wasn't working. Instead, the nations had united in a front against her wicked witch of a mother "We all have one common enemy, I know it's making everyone scared and frustrated, but you shouldn't vent these emotions on Una." Ever the pacifist, seeing the queens unite and bully the poor child brought up Cress's inner vigilante. "So why don't we all calm down and think rationally?"
"I've been making progress in Gehenna with the planting of flowers, but my main concern is the people. They may be unfamiliar with the greenery, which is why I've only planted flowers with nonlethal tendencies when consumed, but my bigger worry would be someone stamping and ripping out the flowers over night." There had been protective barriers set up to ensure that no one got to them, but even so, Cress was worried. "I also think that if Una outright states her intentions, the people of Tartaria will think she's a puppet on strings." Cress closed her eyes, giving it some more thought, then, she snapped her fingers in sudden brilliance. "Una should make a speech about taking Ashian's captive."
It was a brilliant idea, or at least Cress thought so. "That way she can win the favor of the people and slowly ease them into the peaceful treaty by making a huge show of beginning peaceful negotiations and the people will see her as a hero." Which would lead to them ultimately accepting her. That way, no one would question the escort of knights that went with them to garden and the people could think that Una was putting Cress to work. They could also go around to the other cities without fear of attack and Una could make a show of prancing around her "prisoners."
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βYes Mistress.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
Shiro felt so small and embarrassed, having soiled herself again in front of everyone, having her clothes stripped and forced to wear a diaper by Corren. Shiro felt less like a queen and more like a baby. Tears were still running down her face in shame and Shiro refused to meet anyone's eyes. The poor pup was quite horrified at herself for what she had just done and she was sure that it was something only a dog would do. No one could ever love a dog and she felt as though Narina was right. Shiro was just a puppy, trying to keep up in an ever bustling world. Narcia, Wren, Kora, they could all navigate easily but Shiro was lost. Shiro twisted the material of the nightgown in her hands, whimpering. She was a bad girl wasn't she? She had gotten so afraid that she had just let everything loose on the floor. There was no way Nee would still want to be with her after that.
Wren was trying to comfort her, murmuring soothing words, but it wasn't helping. Shiro should be the one comforting her, not the other way around. "I-I'm sorry, I-I-I'm n-not a g-good f-f-friend." Shiro shook her head. Wren had always been like a big sister to her, she had always protected Shiro from the bullies, but when it came time for Shiro to protect Wren, she had failed. She hadn't even known that Wren was missing, they should have been watching her ID chip, someone should have seen her leave the Palace. They were on lock down after all, did no one take attendance of the staff? Did no one check to make sure that the maids and butlers who walked the halls weren't android infiltrators? What if it was one of them who had taken Wren and dragged her to the Rubble Tier and beaten her up?
Nee was by her side then and Shiro whimpered, no doubt this was the moment that Nee broke off the wedding, probably disgusted at the display Shiro hadn't meant to put on. Shiro flinched when Nee reached up and wiped away her tears, saying that she wasn't a bad girl. Shiro slowly opened her eyes, seeing Nee's loving expression and her heart fluttered. She insisted that Shiro wasn't a bad girl, that only good girls could cry because they wanted everyone to be happy. Shiro's knees felt weak and shaky and she slid to the floor, unsure if the emotional turmoil inside of her was relief or something else. No doubt that this is what real love was; to fall for someone so unconditionally that even in their moments of weakness you still wanted to protect them. Shiro wanted to protect Nee, she had to, Narcia was her everything and the ring on her finger proved that.
Nee went on to explain the true definition of a bad girl, someone that hurt someone and enjoyed hurting others. It was the exact opposite of Shiro, who hated seeing people afraid and injured, who had lived in fear of being punished for not making tea properly, or not setting the table right. "I w-wan-t-t ev-everyone t-to live ha-happily." Shiro whispered, looking at the floor. She felt drained after crying, as though all of the energy in her body had been taken, leaving her physically and emotionally spent. In truth, Corren had given Shiro a mild sedative that would keep the pup from doing anything rash in case she tried to make a decision on her own. Shiro wasn't really the most reliable in tight situations, she had a tough time making quick decisions and also second guessed herself a lot, unlike Narcia who was always calm and cool and in control.
Nee wanted to know what she was, if Shiro was a good girl or a bad girl. Shiro looked at the ground, swallowing. What was she? Everything in her screamed that she was a bad girl, that she had let her friends down, but from what Nee was saying, Shiro was a good girl. Narina was the bad girl, the one who laughed when she hurt people, who smiled so pleasantly as she tortured Shiro and punished her staff. Shiro remembered being in that interrogation room, before Narcia had turned it into a playground to take away the bad memories, she remembered Narina hurting her daughter by forcing her to inject Shiro with a hallucinogenic. "I-I'm a-" she started, uncertainty in her eyes. She was a good girl, Nee had said so and Nee only ever told Shiro the truth, so Shiro really was a good girl then?
"I'm a good girl," Shiro finally replied, a bit of question still in her eyes. Yes, Shiro was a good girl, Shiro was Nee's good girl. "I'm a good girl!" Shiro said, feeling tears well up in her eyes again. Her words were certain, an affirmation to herself that she was on the side of good. Corren needed them to leave so that he could get back to work without fear of interruption. Shiro turned to Wren to say goodbye, promising that she would come visit tomorrow. Once the pup was out of earshot, Corren went over to nee and handed her a few small syringes. Not Shiro's medicine for the sanitary disease since he had to be there when it was injected, but vials of the sedative to pour into Shiro's tea until the Narina situation was taken care of.
A good girl protected everyone, Shiro would have to protect what was precious to her too. She tried to stand up, but the pup was terribly dizzy. "My legs feel funny," Shiro said, looking down at them. "It's probably nothing," Corren said and lifted Shiro up, placing her in Narcia's lap. Shiro took Ellis from Nee and leaned her head on her beloved's chest. She gave Ellis a squeeze, wondering if Nee could feel the diaper through the thin nightgown Shiro was wearing. At least there was a bright side to wearing it, she wouldn't have to fear another accident tonight and embarrass herself even more. Tomorrow she could go back to being a big girl, but for now, Shiro just wanted to curl up in Nee's lap and cry.
"I'll stay with you," Shiro said as Nee went through the passage to a little hidden room where the meeting would take place. Shiro wiggled off of Nee's lap, knowing that she couldn't be seen or heard lest they wanted to tip off the other Queen's about the lie, so the pup sat beside Nee's wheelchair on a pillow on the floor, suckling on her pacifier so as not to make a sound and leaning her head against Nee's leg as she hugged Ellis. It's too bad Shiro didn't have any of the books, she would have loved to read through one of the books about earthen wedding traditions, although her head was too dizzy to distinguish the words on a page.
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βIt's time to break the umbilical cord. I don't need you anymore.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
Shiro was in pieces, sad little pieces of a girl whose happiness kept getting hurt over and over again. Her whole life felt like a train of sadness and misery, following her every step. Even at birth, Shiro - not that she was named that that early on - was doomed to a sad, parent-less existence. Abandoned at the incinerator to be killed, afflicted with the Sanitary Illness, and no matter what they did, without the parents, they'd never be able to figure out exactly why such a thing even happened. They could theorize, but a solution wouldn't come without any more evidence. And after that she was a lab rat, and then taken in by Narina herself to be a servant, a lady-in-waiting. After that, it was only a steady rise of cruelty and misery. Torture, bullying, torment, pain, punishments, training...
And even now, even if she was free from it, there was no real escape from the train of sadness. Shiro had to watch her loved ones being hurt, over and over again, while she was protected from ever bearing pain herself. It wasn't just Wren. How much had the girl cried when her ice queen was taken as Semyon Malachite's wife and plaything? How much did Shiro suffer, all alone, wishing her lover was safe, that her lover with beside her? And a little more recently, when Nee was made into a dog to crawl on the streets, Shiro needed to be sedated. All of these cruelties, Shiro didn't deserve to see her loved ones like this. And it wasn't even over yet - if she ever found out Kora's state, everything would only get worse.
After Narcia gave Shiro a definition of good girls and bad girls, the girl let out in a low whisper, what she truly truly desired. Shiro's deepest wish, her heartfelt cry. She wanted everyone to be happy. The girl seemed to be trying to work through it, to apply the two definitions to herself and her life to try and figure out what she was. Nee decided to stay quiet and let Shiro puzzle it through with her own strength - that would be more effective than just telling her over and over again without giving proof. This way, Shiro would internalize it and truly believe it without need of external reinforcement. And finally Shiro said it, but she wasn't sure. She said she was a good girl. Narcia didn't say anything, but she gave Shiro a warm smile, a nod of affirmation, and Shiro repeated it, with more confidence and certainty. It was working.
"That's right. You're a good girl. You were always a good girl, and you'll always be a good girl." She took Shiro's hand and tapped the ring with the locket, a symbol of two promises aligning to build a happy future together. A promise of happier days to come, a promise of forever being with one another, a promise to overcome any tragedies that spun their way. "As long as we have these, everything will work out. I believe it." She would do her best to believe it, for Shiro's sake. The pup needed this affirmation, and Narcia knew she was going to have to atone for what she did to the lamb - or perhaps wolf was a more accurate descriptor.
Of course, Nee was very perceptive of her surroundings. So she noticed Corren giving a mild sedative to Shiro, and she quickly pocketed the syringes while Shiro said her farewells to Wren. "I'll be better before you know it!" Wren said in a chipper, optimistic tone, and you could tell the servant truly believed it with all her heart. Nee felt something choke in her throat. She knew, of course, she was going to have to enlist Corren's help if she wanted to wake Kora up - assuming there was enough left in her brain to even wake her up in the first place.
The Red Moon Conference. Narcia felt a little better with Shiro at her side, and it helped her keep her mind on point as she discussed what needed to be said. Una was incompetent, though. It was frustrating. Did the girl not realize how much of a crisis this was? Did she not understand how much of a threat Narina was to the continent's peace? The girl was idiotically underestimating everything, and this foolishness was going to put everything in danger! It was like she had no idea that she was the cornerstone to their entire strategy! And all Una could do was meekly say yes to what everyone else was saying! Riana and Cumin were offering advice, and Una couldn't even try to defend herself, she didn't even have the strength to say that she was doing her best.
Cress was defending Una, of course, it was just like Cress to side with the weak, the downtrodden. It was one of her best qualities. Still, there was a time and place for everything, and this wasn't one of them. "We don't have time to baby a fledgling princess, sister." Nee said, feeling exasperated. "I'm not trying to be mean. I'm being realistic. She needs to understand the gravity of the situation." Still, Nee softened her expression, sighing a little. "Princess Una. Don't misunderstand. I know very well that you shoulder a heavy burden." Even though her voice was cold, the meaning behind it was not. "That's why the four of us are here, so we can help you, and we can bear it together until you're strong enough to do it yourself." Would the Silver Princess understand, or would she shy again in fear again?
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βEven now, the smiling savior is a faΓ§ade.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
Una felt wretched. She just wanted to cry. Queen Narcia was a chessmaster, a brilliant and unparalleled strategist. She was calculated and incredibly confident in everything she did. Princess Nui was passionate and strong, even with her recovering body, her fire burned brighter than anyone else's did. Princess Cumin, she watched her family die and became a symbol of Etruria's inner strength, and was resolute ever since. And Queen Riana, older than the others, and just as cunning as Narcia, if not moreso. And Una had nothing like that. She was completely insignificant. The only reason she had the throne was because of her blood. She didn't do anything to deserve the position.
Princess Nui was defending her, telling them not to talk to her like that and the Silver Princess wanted to cry. She should've been able to defend herself, to fight back and prove that she was on the same level as everyone else, but instead, all she could do was rely on Nui to save her and talk on her behalf, flames burning bright and true. Then Narcia spoke in response, saying that it wasn't her intention. She spoke evenly but every word was infused with ice and it made Una shiver. She was afraid, intimidated by all these people who were clearly superior to her.
Queen Narcia said that they were here to help her. With that, Queen Riana nodded, showing her hidden motherly side once again. "I'm sorry if I came on too strong, Una." She said, and seemed like she really did regret how she said what she said. "I was just trying to give you my advice, but I wasn't thinking about how you'd take it. Can you forgive me?" Una shuffled but she nodded meekly, and she knew Nee was annoyed at how timid she was being. Cumin spoke next, face not changing expression, that slight yet silky smile still up in full force. Una didn't know what to make of the Etrurian Princess. She was nice... and apparently she wasn't ever allowed to lie, right?
"I'm new too, Una." Cumin said with a friendly wink. "I've only ruled for a few months, you know. The Tartarians came and killed my parents. If I let fear control me, I wouldn't have been able to order people to take my brother, Kail, and run away. I wouldn't have been able to go into hiding and plan a resistance from inside." Cumin's words were kind but the meaning behind them was clear. "It's hard, but you can't let yourself be controlled by your feelings. You need to be able to think clearly, okay?" Was this Cumin's attempt to reach out, or was she being mean again? Una didn't know. "Nee here is quite new as well. She's nearing the end of her first year."
Una felt even more crushed by this. They were all - other than Riana - new to the throne, and yet they were already so much stronger than she was. Una felt fear just thinking about Narina, she didn't know how to think clearly and rationally, no matter what. The topic left her, though, onto Nui, who was explaining what she had been doing, what she was planning. As Nui spoke, Narcia nodded, as if she was evaluating the plan. "That would help on your end, definitely." Nee said at last, but she still didn't look wholly convinced. "But if we want Narina to believe that lie, wouldn't I be forced to go to war to save you, sis?"
The sisters really were close, weren't they? Una felt a little lonely. She wished she had someone like her brother who would protect her and look after her just like Nee always did for Nui. The twin sisters of Ashia Palace were definitely bound together by intense familial love and trust, and Una wished, she wished she could have had the same with Semyon. He once was a kind and loving brother, but that vanished and became something else entirely, all because he was manipulated by Jezebeth - by Narina Seraphim. "W-war is scary, though! War is bad!" Una exclaimed suddenly, wanting to talk, to say something, so she could feel like she was contributing.
Narcia shook her head. "No, I won't be declaring war. But..." Cumin spoke up then, with a little tilt of the head. She had a plan. "I have an idea. We can go along with Nui's suggestion, and as a reason for Narcia not going to war, Una, you should say that the Ashian's well being will only last as long as war is not declared by anyone." How did they do this, Una wondered. How could these people make plans like this so quickly, how were they able to figure out their next moves like this? The Silver Princess felt lost, she had no idea how to even make a plan to begin with.
Queen Riana was next, then, adding onto the already established plan. "Your people seem to value strength and authority, Una. It's a part of your culture." Una knew this, of course. She knew all about how Tartarians viewed might as right, and always wanted to be strong in order to protect their loved ones and their own interests. It was ingrained into their history and their mentality. Only a coward chooses peace. "So you need to show that your will is stronger than Jezebeth's. Your first step should be to depose of Astor, to show that your faction is stronger than hers. That's how to earn respect." Una nodded, wishing she was brave enough to do something like this. "I-I'll do my best. I won't fail you all." Una then eyed Nui in particular, giving her silent thanks for the help. Narcia then adjourned the Red Moon Conference, and Una returned to her office, leaving the hologram server behind.
It was late now, and she needed to sleep. Thyella was there, dutiful as always, with a wink and a smile. "It's okay. Just do your best, Una." The two were of similar size - both short and tiny - so Thyella would be her body double. She already had the wig that matched Una's long hair. "Thank you for the help." Thyella slept in her bed and pretended to be her at nights while the real Una had to disconnect from the helmet every night to avoid brain damage. It was time to return to the everlasting darkness of a coma. "Good night, Princess." Thyella said, and it was the last thing she heard before the coma claimed her.
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βA heart's a heavy burden.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
The conference was over, it was growing late and Cress was tired. "Done?" Heron asked and Cress nodded her head. "It's been decided," Cress tried to stand, her legs shaking. Heron hoped off of the bed, sliding an arm around Cress's waist and another over her shoulder, helping Cress limp to the bed. The two lay beside each other, a hand still around Cress's waist. It took a while for Cress to get used to it, but Heron had desensitized the area with tickles so it was fine. "Oh shoot! Your dinner!" Heron jumped up, going to the mini fridge and taking out a bag. "Corren would have killed me if I forgot." Heron connected it to the port in Cress's chest and then clambered back underneath the blanket, the lights closing as they stilled.
"I wonder how Kora is doing," Cress said sleepily. "Probably running herself into the ground training, hopefully Itward did something about her." Cress hadn't heard anything further from them all day, so she assumed that Itward had taken corrective action and applied it to Kora's behavior. Although no doubt Kora had been evading him, hiding from the world to run her body down, down, down. "That idiot doesn't realize you're just trying to protect her." Heron sounded upset, no doubt she still loved her. Cress's hands tightened around the blanket. That's right, she was just a replacement for Kora wasn't she? Heron loved the blonde little wolf after all.
It was fine though, laying like this, with her. Cress had always been a replacement hadn't she? The spare child that had been cast away. Why would Heron do this then, if she was in love with Kora? The lips that ran up the side of her neck, leaving little kisses, they were all for her. Could it be that Cress had, had it wrong? Maybe Heron didn't love Kora after all, but Cress? This fickle thing called hope that kept slipping away, it came right back like the dawn and dusk. "I'm glad you said yes," Heron said, her breath warm on Cress's skin. Cress lips turned up in a smile, yes, this love, as dangerous as it was, was or her. "I am too." Perhaps it was okay, to love this one person. Kora had made up her mind after all, she had made that very clear. Even though it hurt to think about, it was important to remember.
Had Kora lied that day? The day when she had taken Cress's hand and told her she liked her. Was it foolish to believe that she could have both Kora and Heron? They would expect her to make a choice wouldn't they? Choose one and leave the other behind, wait too long and lose both. Cress sighed, feeling the rush of nutrients in her veins. It was energizing and yet, tiring. Her eyes fluttered closed, red eyes shut behind snowy white lids. Heron's arm tightened around her waist, bringing her closer. Cress could feel the heat rolling off of her, the comforting sort that sent shivers up her spine. Red eyes, red moon, faint whispers of breath that faded into dreams. It was the kind of night where sleep took absolute hold and the world could be forgotten for a time.
When dusk turned to dawn and the ninth hour approached, Cress awoke once more, light filtering in through a crack in the shades. From today until Narina was defeated, they were supposed to pretend to be prisoners. What would happen? Cress wondered. She knew they were going to go around to the Tartarian cities, where Cress would plant more flowers. She didn't know what to expect these next few weeks, no doubt things were going to be very hectic. Heron got up when the pump began to beep. It had been in a slow feed over the course of the entire night, just like Corren had told her to do it. "Morning," Cress smiled, feeling drained after the long walk from the day before. "Morning," Heron leaned over and stole a kiss from Cress's lips. Cress tried to stay still as Heron disconnected her port from the IV pump.
As it turned out, Cress would get to find out just now. "Morning prisoners," Thyella said, sticking her tongue out at them. Cress propped herself up on her elbow, wondering what Una's vassal was doing here so early in the morning. "The speech will be in two hours, in the meantime, I'm supposed to make you look as beat up as possible." Cress stiffened, what did she mean by that? After a breakfast of soup that Heron made Cress down, it began. Makeup, lots of it. It turned out that Thyella was quite good with FX makeup, although God knows why or how. Makeup on her wrists, rope burns, fake bruises along patches of exposed skin through a pretorn dress. It looked quite realistic, aside from the smile that Cress couldn't hide.
"This is actually pretty cool, you're good at this." Thyella laughed, it was Heron's turn next. There was a sick looking scratch going down the length of Heron's face, overtaking one of the knight's eyes. Cress had a sick thought then, that she wanted Kora to see this without knowing it was fake, that Kora would think she was hurt and come try and save her. Then Kora would believe that she was better than Heron, then maybe the girl would stop doubting herself. It was strange wasn't it? How she had been rejected and yet, she still valued Kora so much. "This is just for decoration, it doesn't actually work," Thyella placed a collar around Cress's neck, attached to a leash. Her hands were tied behind her back, loosely bound so as not to actually hurt the princess.
"Wait!" Cress said before Thyella could put a gag over her mouth. "Can I have one more sip of soup?" Heron came over, putting the spoon in her mouth for Cress to eat. "Thanks," Heron winked and Cress blushed. Thyella put the gag over Cress's mouth then, silencing her. It was time to go, with Heron complaining loudly that she wanted a female knight to tug her around on a leash. Cress would have rolled her eyes had she not had to focus on walking if she didn't want to collapse midway. The abuse was gonna get worse on stage, it was all fake, but Cress knew she had to go along with it, this was for the future peace, the betterment of their world.
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βYes Mistress.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
Shiro was falling asleep by the foot of the wheelchair. Her head was leaning against Aria's, her tummy growling since she hadn't eaten dinner. Shiro whimpered, placing a hand on her stomach to silence it. In the end, neither girl ended up going to the knight's benefit. No doubt the people would think that Narcia was just too grief stricken to attend without Shiro. As long as Itward went on their behalf, it should be fine. The people wouldn't get too suspicious. Or maybe once this meeting was over, Nee could go for the last hour of the party? That would be the smartest option, attend late and stay until the end, that way it almost seems as if she was there the entire time. Shiro nodded her head at her plan, remembering to stay out of sight of the camera.
What were they going to do now? All of that hiding, there was no point in it. Shiro felt tired of pretending to be in a coma, to have to wear the heavy invisibility cloak and unable to talk to her friends or look for her family. That was why she had entrusted the task to Kora, because as long as Shiro couldn't walk around freely she couldn't invite them to the wedding, or find out why they had left her there that day. Shiro just had to be patient for a little longer, maybe they could act as though she had awoken from the coma so as not to confuse the people and she would be wheelchair bound and covered in bandages in public? It would give Shiro an excuse to not do much either, since there wasn't much for her to do anyways.
"You should... go to... the party." Shiro nodded off, falling asleep right there on the floor. She felt a bit like Cinderella in that moment, sleeping on the floor beside the dying embers to stay warm. Except Shiro was sleeping next to Nee's wheelchair and the temperature was actually quite nice. "Night... night." Shiro murmured, falling asleep with her pacifier in her mouth and not having eaten any dinner. She also forgot about the no talking rule, but Shiro wasn't exactly thinking straight. Even if the sedative was mild, it was still there and she had no idea why she felt so dizzy and tired. Shiro wasn't hungry either, which was strange since the pup had finally been having an appetite and had gained a few pounds so she was no longer drastically underweight, just mildly so.
Like magic the pup woke up in bed the next morning, rubbing her eyes to see that she was there with Aria. It was nice in bed beside the one she loved, warm like the sun on a cold day. Except, they didn't have cold days. Shiro had only gotten to experience the cold thanks to Coriandrum. It had been fun, the difference in temperature, the white powder called snow. That had been Shiro's first time seeing it and she would love to go back one day, when her time wasn't filled with political hassle and what not. They were in the middle of a war too, well, almost. Shiro wasn't sure how last night's meeting had concluded, but she woke up hoping that Nee had gotten the answers she wanted.
There were several things on the table. Shiro crawled towards the edge of the bed, sliding and tumbling down to the floor. The pu groaned, her pacifier falling out of her mouth. She untangled herself from the blankets, going to see what they were. Apparently, the fancy gift boxes were for her and Nee. They were congratulations gifts, on Shiro's 'waking up and Nee's recovery' from the other Queens. Fancy dresses in traditional Etrurian and Coriandrum style, little gifts of cakes and exotic fruit and a pair of glass slippers. Shiro stared down at them, she put one foot in, finding that it was surprisingly comfortable. They were low heels, a pair for her and a matching pair for Nee. Shiro tried not to make too much noise, delighting as she looked in the mirror. Nee was still asleep, Shiro thought, tired from a hard night of work no doubt.
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βIt's time to break the umbilical cord. I don't need you anymore.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
After the Red Moon meeting, Narcia felt exhausted. Too much had happened in one day, and she knew the work wasn't going to end just like this. There was much more to do, they still had so many things to work on and consider before Narina was dealt with. Waste too much time, and you just end up losing in the end, especially if your enemy was as powerful and influential as Narina was. They had a plan for moving forward, and hopefully that'd be enough to lead them to victory. Nee knew, though, she knew it wasn't going to be that easy. So she went to sleep fitfully, feeling unsure about the future, unsure about her own actions, unsure about far too many things.
Nee woke up feeling horrible and sick. Her dreams - she couldn't remember much of them - but she knew they were horrible, and they centered on her guilt. What she did to Kora, the unforgivable crime of killing her, Shiro and Cress's precious friend. Now she was just a vegetable floating in the sky, unable to do anything. Nee tried not to feel sick, tried to focus on what was happening in front of her. Shiro was twirling in front of the mirror, wearing some sort of foreign-looking dress. "Good morning." Nee said. She could move a little bit more than yesterday but she still didn't feel all that great. She'd still need the wheelchair, unfortunately. It still hurt as well.
It was awful, wasn't it? It was terrible. And yet, even with how bad of a person she was, Narcia still needed comfort. "Shiro, I.... can you overwrite? Can you make it better? Please?" She shivered, letting the ice down, only for this one person. Shiro was the only one who could see her like this, weak and vulnerable. "I'm sorry for being so weak. Once it's... once we're done... I'll be stronger. I can put the ice on once you overwrite these memories." So Narcia shut her eyes and allowed Shiro to take her to heaven, trying to do her best to give equal heaven in return.
Once it was all done, Narcia felt embarrassed yet happy at the same time. She still wasn't allowed to get the sutures wet, and she didn't have the strength to stand on her own, so she needed Shiro's help again. Nee got the sponge ready and handed it to Shiro, blushing furiously. "...I'm sorry for making you help me so much." She said quietly, shaking her head. "You don't have to, you know?" She really loved Shiro, so much that it hurt thinking about her pain. "Let's look for your parents today." Would that make up for her crime?
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βEven now, the smiling savior is a faΓ§ade.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
For the millionth time, Una read her written speech, feeling sick and nervous. How could she do this? How could she play the role of someone so evil like this? She was nervous, it was awful, she didn't want to say such mean things. Even if Thyella promised that it was just make up, that it wasn't real, it looked real and thinking about people in pain like that made her want to cry. The Silver Princess wasn't ready for this at all. She was a gentle hearted girl, she wasn't suited for anything like this.
"The more you read it, maybe it'll change." Orthrus said with his usual cocky smile, a sardonic drawl to his tongue. "Maybe it'll magically become a speech about hope and peace." Una shivered. If only life worked like that, if only she could give a speech about forgiveness and acceptance. But she knew, of course. Everyone said it. Tartaria wouldn't respect her unless she gave them what they wanted. A strong, powerful, confident leader. She needed to play the role, no matter how much it hurt her. Just reading the words made her shake and quiver.
And finally there she was, Thyella and Orthrus on either side, her two most trusted servants, and her two closest friends. She was at a podium in the central square of Gehenna, in front of a large crowd of people. Una stood strong and tall, trying to act like a strong leader, wishing she really was that brave and powerful. She couldn't even look apologetically at Nui and Heron at all. "This is your princess speaking!" Una declared loudly - her voice only coming in loud because of the volume setting on the holo disc. "I have captured Ashians! Princess Nui and Knight Heron Cherubim!"
She made a devilish grin, one of triumph and sadism. "They will pay for their crimes against our people! For their roles in my father and brother's deaths! Beginning with them, Tartaria will have it's revenge!" Una wanted to cry, but she knew she didn't have a choice. She needed to forge on, she needed to show that she was here, and she would rule. "They'll learn that no one escapes Tartaria's justice! They'll show us their secrets, and bring life back to our desert! Tartaria will be strong! Tartaria will destroy all of her enemies!" She raised her fist in the air, just like her brother used to when he was making a speech, and Thyella and Orthrus did so as well, three fists rising in unity.
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βA heart's a heavy burden.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #CD5C5C β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #C5E3BFγ
|| Still Into you || Paramore ||
Cress stumbled a few times as Thyella pulled her on a leash. Her legs were protesting and Cress was doing her best to not let them give. Heron followed along behind, being escorted by two of the surliest knights Cress had ever seen. No doubt Heron could take them with one hand behind her back, but for the sake of the show, Heron wasn't resisting. She was keeping a watchful eye on Cress, no doubt pained that he couldn't help her every time she stumbled. It was terrible obvious that Cress wasn't completely healed yet, but hopefully, for the sake of what they were doing, it would legitimize Una's rule. Like this, no one would oppose her if they believed she really had orchestrated the attack and capture of Cress and Heron.
Cress winced at the sudden light at the end of the tunnel. They were coming out of the underground cave, up to a dusty amphitheater where thousands had gathered to hear the first announcement of their new Queen. When Cress stepped onto the stage, there was jeering and booing, people were throwing stuff at them, rocks, piles of hard desert dust that had compiled into stones and exploded into sand upon impact. Cress coughed, her knees weakening; when she fell they burst into cheers and Cress coughed, red dust invading her lungs. "Stop that, your new ruler is coming!" Thyella hissed and Cress looked up at her gratefully.
As Una spoke, Cress glared at the crowd. These were the people that called for continued violence, the ones who wouldn't let her live in peace with her garden. Her fire burned, brighter than ever as Una spoke to her audience. Yes, Cress would show them the secrets to reviving the desert, to making the land fertile enough to grow plants so that they would finally believe that Ashia Palace had no bad intentions. Or maybe they would think that they had one it on their own, by forcing Cress to work. At least she would get to spend her time as a fake prisoner doing what she loved, Cress hated being cooped up indoors.
Once Una had finished talking, there was a moment of silence and then, a roar. They were clapping, stamping their feet, shouting their approval at their princess. No doubt it would make Una feel good, maybe it would finally give the girl the push of confidence she needed to get up on her feet. Cress was yanked by the leash, making her fall over as she tried to stand back up. "Dogs have to crawl!" Thyella said loudly, a cruel grin on her lips. However, there was only sadness in her eyes. Heron made a show of trying to resist, but her attempts to 'escape' were quickly defeated. The binds on Cress's wrists were cut, only to allow her to crawl across the stage. They cheered as she went, tripping on the torn dress, crawling until they were out of sight and back in the tunnel.
Cress panted, grateful that she was allowed to crawl instead of walk, crawling was easier. "Cress!" Heron cried, they were safe from sight in the tunnel. Heron knelt down by her side, but Cress was smiling. "She did it." Cress grinned, "Did you see? She moved them. That's what a leader can do." Apparently there was a tradition in Tartaria when they caught a prisoner. Cress and Heron were put on a platform inside of a cage, too tall for anyone to reach, but just high enough that anyone could still see them from any point in the city. Cress was made to crawl there through the city when they exited the tunnel. She didn't mind that much, it was easier than walking. Heron kept getting prodded in the back, people tore at her knight's uniform, they jeered and prodded. Cress had a circle of knights around her, almost seeming as though they were there to protect her.
An hour passed in the cage, then someone came to get them. They were whisked away in a pod back to the palace. "I wonder how the others are doing." Cress said aloud. They had to get ready to go plant some more flowers. Finnley was there to meet them, wearing the uniform of a Tartarian knight. "Una's waiting for you guys." Thyella said, handing Cress a warm towel to wipe the make up off. "Let's go see her then." Heron lifted Cress up in a bridal carry then. "Heron! I can walk!" Cress protested and tried to get down. Heron shook her head, "No, you need to save your energy for later. There's a lot of gardening that needs to get done." So with a sigh, Cress let Heron carry her to Una's office.
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βYes Mistress.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ: #FFAEB9 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #63D1F4γ
|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||
Shiro took off her nightgown and hung it up, then she disposed of the diaper, putting it down the incinerator and watching it burn. No, Shiro didn't need those, she was a big girl. She went back to the boxes, trying on one of the dresses. It was pretty and exotic, with long sleeves and a short bottom with a large, colorful belt around the middle. Shiro loved it and she wore the glass shoes, pretending she was some foreign dignitary and giggling quietly so as not to wake Nee up. "In my own little corner, in my own little chair, I can be whoever I want to be." Shiro sang to herself, closing her eyes and doing a twirl. When she opened them, she took off the dress and tried on the other one. This one was from Etruria, it was colorful, two pieces with a wrap that had little golden bells on the end. Shiro rather liked it, it sang when she danced and when Shiro did a twirl in the mirror again, she found that Nee was awake.
"Oh! You're awake!" Shiro said cheerfully. "How are you feeling today? Do you want any pain medicine? Corren left a whole bottle of it." Shiro went to Nee's side, the little bells on the outfit ringing as she bounced over to her lover's side. Being next to Nee always made Shiro feel warm, just standing by her side, it was like the sun beating down on them from the sky. It was a good kind though, like the warmth on a cold winter day, or maybe cold refreshing lemonade on a day that was burning hot.
Nee wanted her to make it better, Shiro took Nee's hands, nodding her head. "I'll do it, tell me what you need and I'll get it for you, anything." As it turned out, Nee wanted Shiro to override the painful memories. Shiro blushed and nodded her head. "Okay, I will," she smiled. "You don't have to be ice all the time, I like it when you're warm." Shiro wiggled out of the fancy new dress and put it aside. The pup crawled into bed with Nee, the two bodies throbbing against one another, the pup doing her best to please her intended. When the two were satisfied, the pup was panting. She lay with her head against Nee's chest, her body still shaking with delightful tremors.
Nee needed Shiro to bathe her. Shiro didn't mind of course, she helped Nee onto a stool in the bathroom and began washing her gently with the warm water, being careful to go over the stitches. "They look almost healed," Shiro said with a small smile. She started with Nee's back, scrubbing carefully. There were more love marks on Shiro's body, not that she minded, but there was one particular one shaped like a heart over her actual heart. "I don't mind, this is part of what love is. We help each other when we're weak. You helped me a bunch of times when I was sick." Shiro pointed out. When Nee said that they could go find her parents today, Shiro's face slowly lit up in a smile. "I'd like to do that."
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βIt's time to break the umbilical cord. I don't need you anymore.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#4ca2b8 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #8b4cb8γ
|| Rolling Girl || Hatsune Miku ||
Narcia didn't really mind pain. Sure, she wasn't as acquaintanced with it as some others were - Cress and Shiro came to mind for how much physical suffering they endured - but Nee herself could handle this much. She didn't need pain medication, it wasn't necessary. She could still function to the best of her mental ability with the sutures in place. "I'm okay, it hardly hurts at all." She said, and maybe in the corner of her mind, the ice queen figured she didn't deserve relief from pain anyways, not after what she did to Kora. "But thank you for worrying." Did she really deserve Shiro's concern, though?
After a mutual session of heaven, the two girls lay together weakly on the bed, recuperating from the heights that their bodies had reached. Their bodies fit perfectly with each other, their shapes and sizes and curves all were perfect, fitting flawlessly, like filling a puzzle. It was just right, it was just the way it was supposed to be, and the anxious tremors left Nee's heart, at least for the time being. Nee felt like she was glowing, and with how much Shiro loved her, the pup was glowing as well. Shiro was and always will be the only one for her. "I'll try to be... warmer for you." Narcia said in a quiet whisper.
It was going to be hard. Ice was her default state, so not having ice felt strange and weird, as if she were walking around without clothes. She was vulnerable, exposed for all to see, but she knew she needed to trust Shiro with this, with her soft side. The girl deserved it, after all. Shiro was giving her a sponge bath now, as per the request, and Narcia wiggled a little. She was never going to get used to this, was she? "We're a team, after all." Nee said, talking to distract her from how strange it felt to be sponge bathed. "It's normal to help one another then."
Once that was done, Narcia wriggled herself into a dress, feeling a little worn out already. It was time to look for Shiro's parents, so Nee was helped back to her chair. "We'll find them. Nani too. Everyone you'd want will be at the wedding, Shi." Honestly, Nee wanted answers. She wanted to find out why Shiro was abandoned like this. Maybe in the end, she would never get a satisfying answer, but any answer was better than none. "Let's head to the control room." There, she would input the code for Shiro's DNA and run maternal and paternal scans to figure out the puzzle. Once there, Narcia began the scan, watching the faces blur past, until finally, two faces appeared, claiming to be the match.
"There they are, Shiro."
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βEven now, the smiling savior is a faΓ§ade.β
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
γΙΞΉΞ±ΖΟgΟ Ρ cΟΖΟΡ:#949495 β ΡΠ½ΟΟ gΠ½Ρ cΟΖΟΡ #B2AC8Eγ
|| Keshin || Asami Imai ||
Una felt completely overwhelmed when everyone started clapping and cheering for her, she had moved Tartaria one step closer, the people were bending to her will. Still, even with this, even though she had done her job, it didn't change a thing in her heart. Una didn't want to say these things and it made her feel like she was betraying her ideals. Princess Nui and Heron were made to crawl, they were put in the cage and Una just wanted to cry because she wasn't sure what else to do. Orthrus noticed and had Una brought back to her office where she didn't have to put up a queenly mask.
"I feel awful." Una said softly. She didn't want to watch them crawl, she didn't want to watch them locked up in cages and hated and jeered and humiliated. Una didn't like any of this and it made her feel horrible. "They're my friends... they came to help... why do they have to do this...?" Orthrus just sighed, looking disappointed it and Una was sad. She wanted Thyella's gentle kindness, she didn't want Orthrus's mean sarcastic biting words. "Then just run away." The butler said as he stirred cactus tea in the cup. "Sure, it'll mean Jezebeth can start a war, but at least you won't have to feel guilty! Sacrifice the world for your conscience! The perfect solution, isn't it?"
The Silver Princess shook her head dejectedly. No, that wasn't an option. She couldn't do that. Orhtrus smirked then, and Una wanted to cry more. "Then you have no choice but to sell your soul and become a cruel Princess, isn't that right?" Una knew it, of course. She knew this was her destiny, she knew all along. So then, why? Why was it like this, why did it hurt to say so many cruel bad things about the Ashians? Thyella then arrived, with the Ashians, bringing it Nui and Heron and Finnley to her office, gently shutting and locking the door.
Una hung her head, knowing there was nothing she could say to make it better. "I'm sorry." She whimpered, knowing she was a pathetic failure. "I'm... I don't. I never understood Tartarians, ever." Even though she was Tartarian born and raised, it couldn't be denied. Una was different from them, she was always different. "I don't understand revenge. I mean... I was sad, after my dad died, my brother died. I was sad. I get it. But I never wanted revenge. I was just sad." She curled herself into a ball of guilt and shame. "Just because I was sad, I didn't want to hurt the people behind their deaths. That's not how to have peace." She shook her head again, staring at the ground. "I don't... understand... why they want revenge at all...."