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Ayanna Filia

"My name's Aya! Let's be very good friends, okay?"

0 · 4,981 views · located in Noraneko

a character in “Into The Woods”, as played by Ninja Bunny

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❝How nice a world without tiers would be! ❞
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【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#30b818 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #d1ca00】

|| Hope of Morning || Icon for Hire ||







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{β˜› β’»β“Šβ“β“ Ⓝ⒢ⓂⒺ ☚}
Ayanna Filia (Or is it Korhyia Filia?)
{β˜› β“ƒβ’Ύβ’Έβ“€β“ƒβ’Άβ“‚β’Ίβ“ˆ ☚}
Aya | It's shorter and cuter, duh!
Squid | It's her nickname with the rebels. Aya has no idea why,
{β˜› β’Άβ’Όβ’Ί ☚}
14

{β˜› ⒼⒺⓃⒹⒺⓇ ☚}
♀

{β˜› β“ˆβ’Ίβ“β“Šβ’Άβ“β’Ύβ“‰β“Ž ☚}
Aya has no idea!
{β˜› β’»β’Άβ’Έβ’Ί ⒸⓁ⒢ⒾⓂ ☚}
Chiaya Misono || The Rolling Girls



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❝Make as many people happy as possible!❞
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{β˜› ⒽⒺⒾⒼⒽⓉ ☚}
She's a tiny little thing.
{β˜› β“Œβ’Ίβ’Ύβ’Όβ’½β“‰ ☚}
She's tiny in this way, too!
{β˜› Ⓗ⒢ⒾⓇ ⒸⓄⓁⓄⓇ ☚}
Honey blonde!
{β˜› β’Ίβ“Žβ’Ί ⒸⓄⓁⓄⓇ ☚}
A shimmering amber!
{β˜› β’·β“„β’Ήβ“Ž β“‚β’Άβ“‡β“€β’Ύβ“ƒβ’Όβ“ˆ ☚}
She has one fanged tooth! Below her clothes are also a large series of bruises, some worse than others. She keeps them carefully hidden.


{β˜› ⒼⒺⓃⒺⓇ⒢Ⓛ β’Άβ“…β“…β’Ίβ’Άβ“‡β’Άβ“ƒβ’Έβ’Ίβ˜š }

Aya is cuteness and bubbles mixed into one small package! You'd have trouble believing that she's a rebel warring against the Monarchy, due to her happy-go-lucky smiles and her radiant optimism. Hair of gold, heart of gold, as some might say. Aya's eyes shine with innocence and curiosity, and a desire to explore the world and see the people live happily. She's quite feminine, enjoying putting blue flowers in her hair, and almost always wears a dark green jacket for all-purpose travel.
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β™™We gotta find a reason to fight!β™™
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β˜› β“β’Ύβ“€β’Ίβ“ˆβ˜š
β₯ Riding! | Aya's bike is her favorite thing!
β₯ Music! | Listening or playing to it is great!
β₯ Friends! | Friends make life worth living!
β₯ Happy Daddy! | Life is better when Daddy is happy!





❧




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❝Always know when to give up!❞
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β˜› β’Ήβ’Ύβ“ˆβ“β’Ύβ“€β’Ίβ“ˆβ˜š
⌦ Unfairness! | Everyone deserves happiness!
⌦ Pain! | It really hurts, okay?
⌦ Angry Daddy! | Angry Daddy makes everything worse.






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β˜›β“†β“Šβ’Ύβ“‡β“€β“ˆβ˜š
Vroom! | Sometimes, Aya makes bike sounds for no reason.
Twirl~ | If she's bored, twirling to make the world spin is fun!
Blink! | She blinks a lot.


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β˜› β“Œβ’Ίβ’Άβ“€β“ƒβ’Ίβ“ˆβ“ˆβ’Ίβ“ˆ ☚
⌦ Innocent! | Aya doesn't really understand what war means yet.
⌦ Naive! | She still hasn't been hit by the darkness of the world.
⌦ Fragile! | Both mentally and physically, Aya's quite pathetic.
⌦ Self hatred! | Ayanna really doesn't like herself.


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β˜› β“ˆβ“‰β“‡β’Ίβ“ƒβ’Όβ“‰β’½β“ˆβ˜š
β₯ Friendly! | Aya is very good at making people like her!
β₯ Hard working! | She's willing to put in the effort for her goals!
β₯ Quick Witted! | Even if she's naive, Aya learns really quickly!
β₯ Talent! | Ayanna's an expert bike rider, and can play the guitar!


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β˜› β’»β’Ίβ’Άβ“‡β“ˆβ˜š
Nebulaphobia | Fear of fog
Necrophobia | Fear of death/dead things
Hemophobia | Fear of blood

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β™™Who matters most!β™™
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{β˜› β“…β’Ίβ“‡β“ˆβ“„β“ƒβ’Άβ“β’Ύβ“‰β“Žβ˜š}
Naive | Witty | Idealistic | Delusional | Impressionable | Self loathing
Aya has two real personalities, one being dominant and the other only activating under certain circumstances. Most of the time Aya's bright, cheerful, and ignorant of the world around her. She likes making friends, she likes trusting people, and if she sees someone lost and scared, Aya would be the first to go and comfort them. She's genuinely nice and caring, and loves putting everything she has into helping someone. She's kind, she has an easy time empathizing with others, and like devoting herself to helping others.

But when it's time for discipline, when it's time for her Daddy to tell her the things she did wrong, Aya changes completely, becoming a self hating hollow shell of a person that accepts each beating. She truly believes she deserves it and doesn't even try fighting back, because her mind translates the pain as her Daddy's show of affection. It's difficult to say which side of Aya is the real one, or if there's a real Aya in the first place.




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❝I won't let it control me!❞
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{β˜› ⓅⓁ⒢ⒸⒺ β“„β’» ⓄⓇⒾⒼⒾⓃ ☚}
Ashia Palace lower tiers, The Kingdom of Ourania

{β˜› β’»β’Άβ“‚β’Ύβ“β“Ž ☚}
Loghain Filia | 42 | Father
Penoma Filia | 39 | Mother
Korhyia (Ayanna) Filia | Died at 7, would be 14 | Sister
{β˜› β’½β’Ύβ“ˆβ“‰β“„β“‡β“Ž ☚}
She was born to the Filia family, with twin sister who she loved very much. Aya and Kora were best friends even from the start, and they latched onto one another even as infants. There were differences, though, subtle differences that only grew as time went on. Aya was the bright child, the happy and energetic one that everyone loved while Kora was the quiet one that was always weaker and inferior to Aya. Even as the world and even their parents started preferring the loving and adorable Aya, Aya was so perfect that she even loved the quiet and shy Kora just as much. The sisters were each other's light in childhood, both unaware of their parent's involvement with the rebellion.

Aya was perfect and Kora was the unloved child. So when Aya turned up broken and amnesiac one day after school, life changed. No matter how her parents tried, they couldn't get anyone to care enough to help, and they didn't have the money needed to get her hospitalized. They had no way to find out who hurt her, and because Aya had no memories left, the bad guy got free. She died days later at home, in a house she didn't recognize, surrounded by strangers. Loghain turned to Kora and deluded himself into believing she was Aya, that it was Kora who died, and he put Kora's name in the death registry.

Of course, Kora resisted at first. She knew Aya would never have wanted this, so she tried to maintain her sense of self, but then the beatings started. Try as she might, Kora couldn't maintain her sanity and she believed, deep down, that she was Aya, and that it was Kora who died. She took on the traits that Aya had while alive and became bubbly and friendly and lovable to everyone, tricking the world that Korhyia had died instead of Ayanna. Over the years, if she messed up, if signs of the old Kora showed, the beatings would start again, and she never once fought back.

Daddy was right, wasn't he? Daddy was always right. So when he decided to give her a gun and teach her to fight, Aya didn't resist. She was excited, because she knew that fighting for Daddy's cause, fighting to create equality and to avenge Kora was something that Daddy would've wanted. So she trained, she practiced, she learned and even earned her own bike as a reward for her good behavior. And eventually, one day, when Aya was 14, she found a lost older girl on the street and invited her to her home...


{β˜› ⓄⓉⒽⒺⓇ ☚}






β’Έβ“„β“…β“Žβ“‡β’Ύβ’Όβ’½β“‰: ⓉⒽⒺ_β“†β“Šβ’Ίβ’Ίβ“ƒ



So begins...

Ayanna Filia's Story

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

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❝Two lives overlap. Which one do I call real?❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#4ca2b8 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #8b4cb8】

|| Secret ~Black Vow~ || Rin/Len (cover by SirHammet) ||




Ellie slept fitfully, full of twists and turns, pain etching on her face in the dead of the night. She couldn't remember her dreams even if you asked, but the feeling of being trapped, caged up, and forced to walk a path you never wanted to walk were still resonating in her as she woke. She had no way of knowing it, but she mumbled the names of her earth family as she slumbered, their voices still echoing in her mind as the last warm place left. One day, Ellie would return to them. Her biological family, this royal family was something Ellie would never accept as her own. She wouldn't be the kind of person who would live off of other people's squalor, not if she could do anything about it.

When Ellie woke up, she half expected to have been returned to Earth, that everything about Ashia Palace was just a lie, a fake, that it wasn't real. After all, how could it be real? No, it was clearly a fake, and she would be able to say hi to Cress again and life a nice, quiet life out in Sierra Nevada, a happy sort of existence. But when she blinked and took her room in, Ellie's heart dropped. No, this wasn't a dream. It was real. Knowing that fixing everything wouldn't be easy, Ellie allowed herself time to cry, but only a brief moment. It wouldn't do to show weakness to the world, not as the Ice Princess of Ashia.

How silly of Ellie to hope for her problems to be fixed so easily. Narcia felt eager to start the day, now that everything was back to it's rightful way, now that she returned as the crown princess, ready to rejoin the life she was meant to live. And then Shiro came, the servant girl, announcing that it was time to wake. "Thank you, Shiro." Narcia nodded at her, smiling a little at the tiny blonde girl. Then Ellie broke through, fighting for control. "I hope you slept well. Better than the servant's quarters, right?" The earth girl reached out to touch Shiro's hair, gentle and fond. "This will be our safe place."

After the bath, Ellie once again walked back to her room, a towel draped around her body. Shiro would be at ease if she was allowed to do things for her, right? For now, that was all she could do for the girl, at least until the escape. "You can dress me as you like. Your fashion sense is great, after all!" Ellie admired the outfit her friend was wearing, mentally noting to examine the collar for tech once she could. "Stay by my side today, please."




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❝I don't know to fix me. Is there something wrong?❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#30b818 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #d1ca00】

|| Hope of Morning || Icon for Hire ||




Real food? Rich people food? That was cool, that was almost unbelievable! Aya was so very impressed that everyone on Earth was allowed the food of the rich pigs. Wait, so then did that mean... Aya's eyes widened further as she digested this nigh-unbelievably portion of information. "So everyone from your home is super rich, huh? That's so cool, Cress!" Aya felt like bouncing, of course someone cool like Cress came from such a cool place. Maybe if there was a way, she'd love to see it. "If everyone was rich, then everyone could be happy, right? Right?"

The doc rubbed her head with a sardonic expression. "Squid, that doesn't even make sense. If everyone was rich, then the value of money would go down and everything would cost a lot. Nothing would change, then." The doc glanced at Cress with a smile, handing out a tray full of the nutrient paste tubes. "Help me distribute these to the patients, would you? Squid, you too."

Paste was gross and icky. Aya didn't like drinking it, but she knew she needed it or else she'd die. Earth must be so much better, she didn't get what the doc was saying but she did know that rich people food, Serpy's food was so much yummier than this gunk. "I'll help too!" Aya chirped and took a handful of the tubes, passing them around.

"So we lost another one." The doc had sadness in his eyes, glancing at the covered body. As Aya and Cress dealt with the food, Doc placed the body of the dead girl on a stretcher and carried her to a different room, making preparations to tell her family to pick her up and say their farewells. Rubbles didn't get funerals. They just died and that was it. No celebration, no nothing. "Thank you, Cress. You were there for her in the end, weren't you?"

Aya felt weird as she looked at it, at the body. She remembered her own dead sister, her twin Kohryia. Kora, for short! Kora was always a shy, quiet little thing. Aya missed her, Aya didn't want her to die. Other people would feel that same sadness, wouldn't they? "Her name was Milia." Aya said softly, shrugging a little. Honestly, when her illness had gotten worse, Aya was prepared for something like this happening, even if it was sad. "She always liked listening to stories."

Then a look of determination grew in Aya's eyes. "Once Xion wins and fixes everything, things like this won't have to happen anymore." Aya nodded. Yes, Xion would win. She trusted her, no matter what.


Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #CD5C5C β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #C5E3BF】

|| Flaws || Bastille ||




Cress laughed when Aya asked such a question. "No, we're not all rich. I mean, my family does alright, but we grow our food in the ground. It comes from animals too, pigs, chickens, cows, some people even eat bugs which are these creepy crawly creatures in the dirt. I tried an ant once when I was really young and according to my dad I liked it." She laughed, remembering the story. The sound was light, incomparable to anything else. It was almost like a cross between a bell and a song, a tinkling sound that filled the room, made it almost seem brighter somehow.

"Even the rich are never happy." She pat Aya's head, a familiar motion that comforted Cress. The Doctor came over then and the light was gone as he spoke about the little girl. "I told her one last night, I was there when..." she trailed off. Cress looked at the ground, she had always been awkward in situations like this. Even when she was younger she had no idea what to say when people had told her they were sorry for her father's passing. "She was happy in the end though and at least she's in someplace ten times better than this tier." Cress kicked at the dust on the ground. Her boots were covered in it, it seemed that everything here was covered in dust.

"I'm going to change this, even if I have to kill them myself. I promise I will," Cress said through grit teeth, determined. "Take me to your leader," she followed Aya outside to the gravity bike. Where did this Xion live? In one of the other hovels? No doubt she suffered too, Cress was sure of it. Did Xion distribute more of these paste tubes? Did she give food to the malnourished? Cress had formed all of these ideas in her mind so that when they reached the middle tier, she was completely surprised.


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❝Yes Mistress.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #FFAEB9 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #63D1F4】

|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||




Shiro smiled, glad to be of help. "Breakfast will be here soon," she assured the Princess and went into the closet, going through the racks and rows of clothing. Finally, Shiro picked up a shimmering silver dress that rippled like water. She picked out accessories as well, a beautiful diamond choker with matching earrings. Shiro thought back to when the Princess pat her head, it was a nice feeling, she decided and she liked it. Shiro stripped the Princess of her gown, getting her dressed in the underwear before assisting Nee into the dress and accessories. Shiro brushed Nee's wet hair, doing an intricate waterfall braid before there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it," Shiro was certain it was breakfast and she was not disappointed. She took the tray, balancing it as she shut the door and placed it on the table.

"Breakfast today is a strawberry yogurt parfait and two eggs sunny side up with a bacon smile. Today's breakfast tea is a sweet chai with a hint of cinnamon." She uncovered the dish's silver top to reveal the platter with the food. Shiro smiled, stepping to the side. Her breakfast normally came in the form of scraps from whatever the royal's hadn't eaten. It would probably be waiting for her outside her door. That was one great thing about being a servant. Her food didn't come in the form of tubes, Cress had heard from other staff that they were disgusting and tasted rotten. She herself had never eaten one and didn't care to try it.

Shiro was imagining what would be waiting outside her door when there was another knock. "Shall I get it Princess or would you prefer for me to send them away?" That was probably the tutor or the Queen, coming to see how her daughter was doing. The thought of being in the presence of that woman made Shiro cower.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

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❝Two lives overlap. Which one do I call real?❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#4ca2b8 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #8b4cb8】

|| Secret ~Black Vow~ || Rin/Len (cover by SirHammet) ||




Ellie felt beautiful again as Shiro dressed her, picking out a dress that seemed to shine in the light, silver and soft, with a diamond choker and earrings to boot. Even her hair was done up nice and beautiful, her black hair seeming shinier than it ever was back on earth. Everything she wore felt ridiculously fancy, and it made Ellie almost blush at the pampering, even if she knew deep down that this life was one of luxury and waste, especially if things on the lower tiers were as bad as the rumors said. Most of the time people up here tended up ignore anything that happened below, so it was hard to really get much concrete information on how things worked. The nobles kept information hidden and covered up - much more secretive than before. Perhaps this, too, was a result of Aine's influence before her death.

"Thank you, Shiro." Ellie spoke crisply and clearly, full of gratitude, happy that her friend seemed as if she enjoyed it as well. "Perhaps one day I could dress you, if you wish."

Breakfast was delicious as expected, and Narcia seemed to blossom with pride at Ellie's reaction as the food was brought out on a platter, Shiro seeming very thrilled to present it. "Should I arrange for your breakfast to be brought here from now on?" Ellie asked, tilting her head slightly before she started to eat. If Shiro was going to sleep here from now on, they could technically be called roommates, right? Even if the world was full of inequality, Ellie wanted this room to be a safe haven for the both of them.

"I can get it." Ellie stood up as Narcia questioned the futility of bothering to move to begin with, enjoying the feel of the dress rippling with each step, and she opened the door to find Queen Narina, embellished in a seafoam green type color, regal as always. "How have you slept, my darling?" The Queen asked, still refusing to touch, as if Ellie was still stained by her six years on earth. "Are you accustomed to being home once again?"

Ellie wasn't sure what to say so she allowed the Princess to take control. "Quite better than Earth, I must say." Narcia was cool and robotic as she always was, simply allowing the Queen to examine her body as if she were meat at a marketplace. "You need more fattening up. Shiro, make sure she eats so when it's time for her to find a suitor, that her body is strong enough to bear a child." The Queen's tone was sweet yet commanding, a threat behind every word. Ellie's spine tingled in fear, wondering how anyone could hope to stand up to her. "A young scion of the Cherubim family has expressed interest, you see. You've met him at the ball, haven't you?"

"Yes, mother." Narcia knew who she was referring to, and considered him a fine candidate, if not slightly unpleasant. Ellie hated it and felt sick at the thought. Cress had taught her that things like that were meant for someone you loved, for someone who mattered. Not for someone like Itward. "Your tutor will be here shortly, Narcia. Unfortunately, the one from your childhood had an... unfortunate accident, so we have his son to teach you all you need to know. Take care now, I have matters to attend to."

And with that, the Queen was gone. Ellie shut the door and turned to Shiro. "My old tutor, he likely died around the same time as Aine, yes?" She didn't remember much of the old man, but she knew that he and Aine were very close. It was likely that he too was executed.





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❝I don't know to fix me. Is there something wrong?❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#30b818 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #d1ca00】

|| Hope of Morning || Icon for Hire ||




Growing food in the ground? But wasn't that dirty and weird? Why do that, why would anyone do that? Food was supposed to be this clean thing that keeps you alive and full, so it's silly, it's just so silly. Aya didn't understand. But then her eyes widened and then maybe, just maybe, she did understand. "The carrot stuff things, right?" The blonde seemed to glow. "So with those we can have rich people food always! That's so nice! Thank you, Cress, you're so awesome!"

Something weird happened on Cress's face, and Aya knew it might have something to do with her own experiences, back on Earth. Her daddy died, didn't he? And now her family probably thought they lost her as well! That wasn't right, Aya didn't want Cress's family to have to be sad, but she didn't want Cress to leave, either! Aya felt at odds with herself, unsure but was glad that Milia died happy, at the very least. "We should go." Aya's voice was hushed, glancing at the Doc who was already placing the call. "Give the family some privacy when they pick her up."

Cress wanted to be taken to Xion now, so Aya waved goodbye to the Doc and sat down on her bike, once again patting the back seat for Cress to hop on. "Xion's really cool, but she's kinda super serious sometimes." Aya shook her head a little, trying not to giggle as she revved the Gravity Engine and floated the bike up, zipping through a tunnel in the fake ceiling. "I fell asleep during a meeting once and she gave me a lecture. It was really mean! I was tired, Cress, you gotta understand!"

The middle tiers were very different from the bottom tiers. Things were still cramped and crowded here, but it was also nicer, cleaner, and there was less destitution that existed down on the bottom. One of the first things to notice were that people were well fed and they seemed somewhat happier, healthier. What the Tower Tier was most famous for was it's large tower directly in the middle, a large school and the most famous and bestest school for anyone around - even some people from the upper-mid tiers went to attend.

"Welcome to the Tower Tier!" Aya waved an arm, smiling at Cress as they flew above the buildings, circling around the large and almost gothic-looking tower that acted almost as a pillar for the tier above. There was some greenery about, though not quite as much or as nice as what was up on the Untouchable Tier. Parking the bike at the entrance and locking it to the thing to prevent thieves, Aya took Cress's hand and dragged her into the tower school thing, then down an elevator to find Xion's secret place.

"Xion! News, we have news! This is Cress, the girl from Serpy's report! Say hi to her, Cress!" The blonde girl hopped up and jumped onto Xion's back, excitable as she always was.


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Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #CD5C5C β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #C5E3BF】

|| Flaws || Bastille ||




The roads here were paved, the sidewalks full of grass and mini plants like flowers and such. The children looked cleaner and generally healthier and well fed, like they actually had showers. Their homes, while piled one on top of the other like below, had stable walls and solid ceilings. They even had a sort of trolley that took them from the lowest set of homes to the ones on top, people crammed inside. Business men, children in school uniforms, happy couples, children playing on the sidewalks with actual toys and not sticks and bricks.

When Aya parked the hover bike, describing their leader, Xion, to her, Cress looked up at the large gothic style building. They had many like this on earth but here it looked out of place, almost awkward among the other large towering homes. So this is where the business was conducted, it almost seemed childish to host a rebellion inside of a school building but then again, maybe that was the point. Recruit young and you'd have a whole bunch of trigger happy children thinking that they were doing this for the sake of change, for the sake of equality.

Aya led Cress inside and the girl became quiet as they walked through the halls and into a room where Aya instantly jumped on someone's back, calling them Xion. So this was her? Cress had to admit she pictured the woman differently. This one was tall and slim, with an eyepatch and orange hair the same color as ginger. "Aya, what are-oh, so this is her." She turned to examine Cress and crossed her arms. Cress mirrored her, crossing her arms and cocking a hip, seeming to observe their leader in action. "I hear you're not from around here."

"What of it?" Cress replied, grinning. "If anything it seems you're desperate for an outsiders help." Cress ran a hand through her short hair, she hadn't had a brush but her hair was short so it was low maintenance anyways. Xion suddenly smiled, "I like you." She circled around Cress, "which tier are you from?" She questioned, shaking Aya off of her back and onto a chair. "I thought you already knew the answer to that."

"I just wanted to confirm it with my own eyes. So you're really from earth?" Xion seemed more curious than anything. "Yeah," Cress stuck her hands in her pockets, rocking back and forth on her heels. "I'm from California, the land of movies and stars."

"Movies? We don't have anything like that here." Xion shook her head, standing, she went over to her battle plan which was displayed on a holographic table, pieces moving and interacting to her motions. "This is where we're tracking our rebels, Serpina got a call this morning saying the Queen wants his estranged daughter Auna over for tea. Of course you'll go in with backup, we never send a soldier in without it." Cress shook her head, "I'm not a soldier. I'm just a teenager, Aya too. Children are not the tools for war."

"But they're all we've got. If the adults were willing to make a change they would have done it." Cress didn't want to believe it, that people were really satisfied with this petty existence. "You've got Serpina," she pointed out. "But that's only one," Xion replied, looking at her board of pawns. "I'm sending you with her to Serpina's Aya, you'll be on standby in case anything happens though. That queen is catty, I have a feeling she's going to try and pull one over on us. She probably knows there's an earthling here that isn't her daughter."


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❝Yes Mistress.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #FFAEB9 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #63D1F4】

|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||




Shiro shook her hands and her head at the same time "Oh no Princess, I could never ask you to do something for a lowly servant like me." She said and bowed, keeping her head low since no one's head should ever be higher than the royal in presence. When there was a knock on the door and the Princess went to get it, Shiro felt instant regret. The Queen was there, her cat like smile sharp and viscous as always. Shiro quickly knelt even further, dipping into a curtsy and directing her eyes away from the Queen.

The collar picked up the disapproval though, the Princess shouldn't have been answering the door, Shiro should have taken care of it. It was only a small shock and Shiro yelped, touching her neck which only prompted further punishment that made her kneel on her knees and left her breathless. Shiro kept her head down until the Queen left and when the door finally closed she stood once more, smoothing out the wrinkles in her skirt. "No, I can't ask of the Princess to do such things. It wouldn't be appropriate for a servant to eat in the same room as the Princess." Shiro said, her hands shaking. She hid it in the folds of her skirt, back straight, eyes averted.

"Aine's tutor was very close to her, he was in the incident when Aine died." Shiro whispered, wondering why the Queen was going along and allowing her daughter to believe that Aine was alone. Surely she must have been very aware of any plots that the rebels were attempting to form. What game was the Queen playing at? Shiro wondered, knowing she would never be privileged enough to know. She was only privy to the information that pertained to the Princess's health and welfare, anything else was deemed unnecessary and not appropriate for a servant to know of. No doubt the Queen was afraid of a rebellion, otherwise she would have never put such things in place.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝Two lives overlap. Which one do I call real?❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#4ca2b8 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #8b4cb8】

|| Secret ~Black Vow~ || Rin/Len (cover by SirHammet) ||




Narcia didn't allow Ellie to outwardly react to Shiro's yelp of pain, her clear discomfort and most likely, punishment. Narcia almost didn't seem to acknowledge it at all, considering it a normal, natural thing for a servant to suffer. Ellie thought differently, she was upset and angry that such a thing was considered normal, and worse of all, she felt guilt for letting it happen. How idiotic she was, how naive. Of course she couldn't protect Shiro from everything, that was why she had to overthrow everything from within. Unfortunately it seemed her day was going to be filled with events and the like so she wouldn't have time to think and plot or to tinker and create more devices to help plot her eventual escape.

"...I'm sorry, Shiro." Ellie balled her hands into fists, shaking slightly. "I allowed it to happen, I should have stopped it. I was supposed to protect you." She made a promise and already she failed to renege on it. Ellie was going to have to be more careful to prevent it from happening. If she could get her hands on the collar, play with it, disable the electricity, that'd be nice, right? There was no time for that today, though. So Ellie walked over to one of her lamps and unscrewed the bulb from it, pressing her finger against the socket, feeling electricity course through her system. It was only for a second, and it hurt, but it made her feel better. Ellie wiped her eyes and smiled at Shiro after putting the bulb back in place. "There, now we're even. I said we were equals, so I'll keep my word."

Serpina Dorones was definitely a figure of mystery. How was he allowed to live after Aine's death? Wasn't executing him and making Aine into a servant the usual way to deal with treason? Aine definitely was a part of the rebellion in the past, but why was Serpina spared and still breathing even today? There was definitely a deeper conspiracy happening and not even Narcia really knew. Narcia's only advice was that Serpina had to be hiding something, had to be of value. It was sad that the old man died, though. If he was friends with Aine, he was probably a good person, even if Narcia considered him foolish for believing in the girl that tried to change everything.

Ellie sighed heavily, then composed herself, smiling at Shiro once again. "Feel free to go and retrieve your breakfast, Shiro." She kept her tone a little more formal, distant. Intimacy for now could only make things worse for the girl - at least until the collar was dealt with, and perhaps the chip as well. "Other than the tutor, will I have to meet anyone significant later today?" If there was a chance to meet with Auna (Cress) and the fake Aine, Ellie would gladly take it.




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❝I don't know to fix me. Is there something wrong?❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#30b818 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #d1ca00】

|| Hope of Morning || Icon for Hire ||




Aya was shrugged off of Xion's back and simply listened, remaining silent as the rebellion leader and Cress spoke. Movie. Moovie? Was that some sort of cow that liked to move around? Aya didn't understand that word, but she did know what a star was. Stars were those pretty far away things in the sky, the only real beauty that everyone was allowed to see, even the Rubbles. The one thing Rubbles and Untouchables shared in this messed up world. Aya smiled and hummed to herself, glad that Xion and Cress were getting along and being friends and then she listened to her orders. She was going to have to be Aine again, wasn't she? Daddy wasn't going to like it, but later tonight, Aya could repent for becoming someone other than Aya. It was rude to take the name of a dead person, Daddy said. Kora was dead so she wasn't allowed to be Kora. Aine was dead, so she wasn't allowed to be Aine, either.

"Byebye, xion! Cress, let's go, I'll take us to Serpy's right quick!" Aya then accidentally bumped her leg against the elevator, drawing out a hiss of pain. Her thigh was one of the places Daddy loved the most so it was still super sore. She giggled a little to hide it and eventually they were back outside the Tower School. "I'll have a dress to hide my wrist in case things get bad." Aya pointed to the Gravity Drive proudly. "So don't be scared! Aya will protect you!" Then they were flying again, but before it was time to head to the upper tiers, the blonde girl stopped, considering. "Once the war starts, Aya will get to fight and help. It'll be fun! What is killing like Cress, do you know?"

With that said and done, Aya took the bike up through the familiar tunnels, taking sneaky paths and shortcuts and eventually were back at Sierra Square, hiding the bike behind the Dorones estate. She opened the secret door again and walked in with Cress. "Time to be sisters again, Cress! I hope you can see the Princess. Maybe we can steal her back today!" Aya giggled pleasantly. That would be amazing if Cress could steal Ellie away! How happy would it be for cousins and sisters to see each other again?

Once Aya was dead, she'd get to see Kora again, wouldn't she? Was it bad to look forward to that?


Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #CD5C5C β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #C5E3BF】

|| Flaws || Bastille ||




Cress thought about it, she had never killed anything before, except for the bug she had eaten when she was younger. "I've never killed anyone, but it's not exactly something you would want to do." Cress thought about it, frowning. "Why would you want to fight? I mean, I know living conditions aren't great, but can't this be solved with words?" Why did everything have to be resolved with fists? "Even on earth we have wars, people are never happy with anything. Sometimes it's for good reasons though like taking away a ruler that treats people like animals." Wasn't this the same though? These people were treated like dirt, like the creepy crawly bugs in the ground and yet... They built everything, without the Rubble Tier, the Tower, and Untouchable Tier would be helpless.

"That gravity drive sure comes in handy," Cress whistled as they landed and went in through the secret door to Serpina's home. The man wasn't there, but he had left them a servant with a message. "Master Serpina would like for you to be extra careful, now come with me, we'll make preparations." The woman whisked them away to separate rooms, scrubbing away the dirt and grime of the Rubble Tier. Unlike yesterday, today they did Cress's nails while she soaked, saying that a daughter of an esteem family's hands would be soft to the touch and not hard from years of work. Cress's hands were in between, she had some scars from blisters and digging, but that was about it.

So she would wear gloves. The servant sewed the wig on to ensure it looked proper, then powdered the part with a dab of makeup to make it look as though it were her actual hair. She leaned against the wall as the corset was laced up, slipping on the garters and allowing the servant to finish up by lacing the dress up. "When meeting with the Queen, it's important to look your best. No doubt the Princess has no idea that you'll be there so you most likely won't be seeing her." Cress couldn't help but feel disappointed. They were in the podship soon after and Cress sat in silence for a minute or two before turning to Aya. "While I keep the Queen distracted, try and find out where the Princess's corridors are." If they could map it out than the next time they went they could try and extract her cousin from the castle. Right?

It would work, Cress convinced herself as they pulled up to the castle. There was a steward waiting for them, opening up the door and assisting them out. Cress stood a bit straighter, unsure if it was the nerves or the corset. She had never met with any leader of the first world, much less a Queen ruling an entire kingdom. What did the King do? Cress wondered, she hadn't had the pleasure of meeting him at the ball, not that Cress really wanted to. They all had those eyes like ice, just like Ellie.


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❝Yes Mistress.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #FFAEB9 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #63D1F4】

|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||




Shiro shook her head, "No Princess, I deserved it." Shiro insisted, "I disrespected you by allowing you to do my work." Shiro hadn't expected it to be the Queen at the door, otherwise she would have jumped to show the Queen that Shiro was worthy, that she could do this. Instead she had been met with disapproval, knowing she had done something wrong. Shiro looked at the ground, her shoulders shaking. Had she seen what the Princess was doing she would have stopped it.

"No Princess!" Shiro ran over to where the girl was touching her finger to something to be shocked. "Please, don't punish yourself for something that was my fault." Shiro led the Princess back over to the couch, having her sit down as she went to get the first aid kit. She knelt before the Princess, making sure to keep her gaze averted from the Princess's eyes. Shiro went through the first aid kit, only to find that there was no disinfectant. Oh no, what if the burn became swollen because she had done something wrong! Shiro racked her mind, but there was nothing in there that she could use a replacement.

She had to think fast, what could Shiro do to prevent this from getting worse? Then she remembered something, that people born in the sanitation tier, where she had come from, were born with an odd mutation that made their spit sterile. "Please excuse me Princess," Shiro said and gently took Nee's hand, uncurling it so that her fingers were splayed. She opened her mouth, gently sucking on the wound, ensuring that it was clean before she took the Princess's finger out of her mouth. "Does it feel better?" Shiro asked, wiping away the spittle that was left between the Princess's finger and her mouth. Shiro wrapped the wound quickly, ensuring that it would stay sterile. "I'm sorry," Shiro apologized, standing and bowing.

"I'm unfit to serve you, you should replace me, I make too many mistakes."

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Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝A bridge shall be built to bring us together.❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#4ca2b8 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #8b4cb8】

|| Secret ~Black Vow~ || Rin/Len (cover by SirHammet) ||




The burn on her finger was painful, but it wasn't nearly as bad as Shiro seemed to make it out to be. She was trying to show the girl that they were equals, that she would share some of the pain, but it seemed the girl didn't understand what she was trying to accomplish at all. "You didn't deserve any of it." Ellie insisted, even as Shiro panicked and fretted. Still, she let the girl guide her to the couch and Ellie lay down, careful not to crease her dress or ruin her hair in the process.

"I want to share your pain. Ellie stared deep into her blue eyes, full of meaning and intent, pressing her hand to Shiro's collar, lightly touching it but quickly drawing back in case it made her even more anxious. "I want to understand it, so that we can be equals." It was a small gesture, but hopefully if she kept making small gestures, Shiro would one day realize that she wasn't like the other nobles, that she was different, that she wanted to make things better. Shiro would one day be free, just as Azel had freed his own childhood friend once he ascended to the throne.

And then Shiro took her finger and sucked on it like how a baby would suck a pacifier. It was a strange ticklish feeling that wasn't all that uncomfortable, but strange nonetheless. She wordlessly let Shiro do it, and even Narcia was mesmerized. As Ellie knew Shiro was a good girl, Narcia begged to differ, saying that the servant was only pretending to care in order to avoid future punishment if possible, to take advantage of her kindness. The two sides of the princess were at odds once again.

Ellie smiled gently at Shiro as she stood. "I'll never replace you, because you're a precious friend to me." Ellie said honestly, squeezing Shiro's hands in both of her own. "I'll do better to protect you, to keep you safe. It hurts me when you hurt!" How could she get Shiro to see, to really believe and trust her?




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❝We'll break the night, and burn the pigs!❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#30b818 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #d1ca00】

|| Hope of Morning || Icon for Hire ||




Dressed as Aine again, Aya wandered the halls, smiling gracefully at the staff as she walked, trying to keep calm and composed. She had given Cress a tiny device with a button for her to press in case something went wrong. That button would make her Gravity Drive beep and Aya would know to come and rescue her and take them both back to the Tower, back to safety. "Don't hesitate to press it if you must!" Aya had pleaded before they parted ways in the palace. "I swear I'll come save you!"

What Aya didn't expect was to be grabbed from behind and forced into a dark room, the door locking behind her. The room had four occupants: herself as Aine, the tall redheaded Itward, that blonde girl, Shiro, and the princess herself, Narcia. "Now we're all gathered, huh?" Itward smiled as if greeting an old friend, letting Aya sit at the tea table, pouring her a glass with deftness and grace. Narcia's eyes were cold as ever, freezing Aya in her seat, unable to move. The room itself was pretty, like an indoor garden full of green and porcelain fences wrapped in a grapevine, music faintly echoing from somewhere above them to simulate wind and nature. "The three stars of the new generation, as the adults liked calling us."

"Hello again." Aya lowered her head at both Itward and the Princess, but neither of them seemed convinced. Her heart was racing now, this was super dangerous, but she couldn't just give in, could she? Cress gave her a mission, after all! Narcia's smile had that catlike dangerous quality that Queen Nirana loved to wear, and she seemed nothing like the cousin Cress once described. "Aine, we didn't get a chance to speak since I returned. We were such good friends, I truly missed you so."

That's right, it made sense that Aine and Narcia and even Itward all knew each other, once. This was very bad, then, wasn't it? Aya didn't know anything of how Aine was with these two, not even a little. All she knew was that when they were younger, all of the nobles were speaking of the three as prodigies, far above the rest of the noble children in terms of skill and intelligence, as the main three to eventually rule the kingdom together. Aine was dead, though, and Aya wasn't sure if the Cherubim and the Seraphim were really on good terms anymore, either.

"Heh, remember how we cried when Nee's departure was announced?" Itward's eyes flashed with nostalgia and something else, casually nudging Aya's shoulder like an old friend. "We promised to be best friends forever and that when she came back, everything'd still be the same. We were such dumb kids back then, weren't we, Aine?"

"We can still be friends, though." Aya forced a smile and glanced at Narcia, whose smile was unreadable. "Auna, my new sister, she can be your friend too! She'd really like talking to you, Narcia!" And then Aya felt danger rise from the ice girl in front of her. "Oh, please, no need to be so formal, my old friend Aine. Call me Nee, like you always used to."

Aya was terrified beyond anything else as she nodded, trying her best to hide her fear. "Yes, Nee. I'm sorry, it was just so long. I really miss-" but Narcia coldly interrupted her, Itward's smirk was gleaming as well, like they were two predators bearing down on her, cornering her. "If you missed me, you should've tried speaking to me at yesterday's ball, Aine. Weren't we such good friends?"

Aine - Aya, Aya had no idea how to respond. She knew she was probably trapped now.


Setting

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Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #CD5C5C β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #C5E3BF】

|| Flaws || Bastille ||




"It's so nice to see you again Auna," the two were sitting in a parlor, servants serving them tea and various cakes. "The pleasure is mine," Auna replied with a curtsy before sitting across from the woman, crossing her ankles and tucking them beneath the chair. She folded her hands in her lap, etiquette lessons coming back to her as she sat before royalty. "So how is your mother dearest, I heard that you and Serpina are quiet... estranged." She smiled, a knowing look with eyes that seemed to pierce straight into Cress's soul. "She is well," Cress replied, thinking back to the woman, her fake mother. "Resting in heaven, bless her soul." The Queen seemed a bit taken aback, as though she hadn't realized that Cress's fake mother was dead. "Yes, Father sent me away to the Tower school when I was very young, unfortunately I reminded him too much of my mother and so Aine and I never truly met until we were much older."

"And Aine, is she good?" The Queen lifted her tea, sniffing the cup. "This is terrible," she poured the hot liquid on top of the closest's servants shoes. "Remake a new pot," Cress didn't flinch. This was a test she could tell and so she hardly acknowledged the servant who took her cup and went on to remake a new pot of tea. This is how servants were treated, even in the olden days Cress could recall abuse to anyone who was different. This abuse was on another level, shock collars, pouring tea onto feet, even Cress could tell. "Aine is slowly growing used to my presence," Cress replied, unflinching. The Queen seemed to enjoy this quality though. Little did Cress know, Aine had been whisked away by Itward and Ellie.

"You know how she is though," Cress sighed and the Queen's eyebrow twitched. "Oh? Has she recovered from that unfortunate incident? I hear she and her tutor were very close."

"She very well nearly lost her life that night, thank goodness the tutor saved her from perishing and Father employed every method available. He always did prefer Aine," there was slight malice in Cress's voice, as though she were bitter her father chose Aine over her. "Are you bitter?"

"No, it couldn't be helped." Cress sighed, her posture straight as she watched the Queen while a servant brought a new pot of tea. "Much better," the Queen sipped at it and waiting for a social cue, Cress picked up her cup and sipped the drink. "It was better that way anyhow, I could focus on my studies, Aine could be the social butterfly she was meant to." The Queen's catlike smile grew and Cress had no idea why. She put her teacup down, a terrible feeling bubbling in her stomach, but she couldn't remember where the button was since she had been searched before stepping into the room. "Oh silly Serpina, sending an agent into my fortress. So tell me, who are you really?"

"Aune Dorones," Cress replied with grit teeth, the world spinning. "Those fiery eyes are not a trait among the Dorones blood line." The Queen stood, a hand on Cress's cheek, tipping her chin forward. "You're an unregistered citizen, that fake chip in your neck might fool the computers, but it doesn't fool me." She grabbed a fork from the table, it was a small one meant for teacakes and stabbed Cress's neck with it, digging until she reached the bloodied chip. The Queen crunched it in her hands as Cress gasped, hands gently touching the wound on her neck. "I'll have a servant look at that," she stood, gesturing a man over who quickly wrapped the wound on Cress's neck with another metal sheet, the wound closing and healing as it constricted, choking her. When Cress thought she was going to pass out it stopped and popped off and she could breath again, not even a scar left to show the mark.

"Take her to the holding room and do ensure that the Princess has no awareness to the girl's position."


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❝Yes Mistress.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #FFAEB9 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #63D1F4】

|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||




"Thank you Princess," Shiro curtsied, "Your kindness astonishes me." The Princess received a call then from Itward and soon they were all gathered in a new room. Shiro went to eat her own breakfast during the short break and soon returned to the Princess's side, preparing tea and cakes for the duo. "Hello Shiro," Itward said, since the two had met many times before when Shiro was in training. "Hello Sir Itward," Shiro curtsied and placed tea settings out in the garden, he requested that she set an extra place and so Shiro laid it out, wondering who would be joining them. "Your mother really does have impeccable taste," Itward praised, patting Shiro's head. He had no interest in little girls, thankfully. His taste was geared towards more... developed females so Shiro was in no danger around him.

Shiro stood in the corner, silent as a mouse when they pulled Aine Dorones in. It was a surprise to see the girl from last night, the blonde that was almost as petite as she with sparkling eyes and a beautiful dress. Shiro was slightly jealous and she smiled pleasantly, not daring to make a peep as they conversed until Itward poured the tea. Shiro stepped forward to pour for the rest of them, she couldn't let Itward do her job, this was all she was good for after all. "Shiro, leave us," Itward insisted and Shiro turned towards the Princess, waiting for a response. "Go," his voice was firm and there was a tiny shock from the collar so Shiro turned, rushing out of the room so that she wouldn't get punished further. She walked down the hall, the Queen stopping her. "Where do you think you're going little mouse?"

"The Princess ordered me to get her dressing coat from her room since she's cold." A lie and the Queen knew it, the collar took a cue from the way the Queen stood and suddenly, Shiro couldn't feel her legs. "Don't lie to your Queen," she hissed and Shiro whimpered. They were so close to the Princess's room, she had almost been safe. "Chain her up in her room," the Queen said to one of the servants who lifted Shiro easily, taking her to the room she slept in that was close to the Princess's. It was small and nearly unadorned and the servant lay Shiro on the bed, chaining her to it. There was apprehension in their eyes, but the servant knew they couldn't do much of anything and that if they disobeyed, they would be punished too.

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Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝A bridge shall be built to bring us together.❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#4ca2b8 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #8b4cb8】

|| Secret ~Black Vow~ || Rin/Len (cover by SirHammet) ||




This wasn't Aine, that much was obvious to both Itward and Narcia. Itward got up from the table, placing his hands on the girl who was trying so hard, so hard to hide her terror but it was impossible. Ellie wasn't happy about any of this, but she knew that as long as the fake Aine was being targeted, Cress was safe, right? Shiro was sent away and unfortunately, Narcia was tightly keeping Ellie on lock down, so she couldn't call the girl back to her side. In any case, Aine was dead, and this wasn't her. Whoever she was, the trap was set - or at least, it was until Itward was floated up - though despite being lifted in the air by what Narcia recognized as a Gravity Drive, he didn't lose his composure at all, instead made a curious laugh.

"Oh, Aine, aren't you adorable." Narcia sneered and the girl shook, chewing a lip in anxiety. This tiny blonde girl was certainly something, one of Xion's agents, perhaps. Ellie wanted to break through, to set her free and make her send a message to Xion, but Narcia wouldn't allow that to happen. "Stupid pigs, stealing everything, making everything worse." The fake Aine growled, ready to attack. "Aine won't let it happen! I'll -" Narcia deftly walked over and tapped the Gravity Drive, disabling it, tearing it off of the girl's wrist with ease. "You'll what, Aine? Did you forget that it was I who invented this machine to begin with?"

It was funny that this girl seemed to have the same ideals that Aine did. Still, with that done, Narcia's end of the deal was paid - Itward had the girl pinned down and secured, powerless under his strength. "Where are the machines and tools?" Narcia asked, and Itward directed her behind a tree, where a bag of supplies was, as well as an invisibility machine to hide whatever it was she made from the tech. The two made a deal - she would help capture the fake Aine and he would give her toys to play with, to try and have some semblance of freedom.

"Thanks for the help, Nee." Itward grinned, holding his prize, a satisfied smile. "Sure you don't want to be joined in marriage? We'd make a great King and Queen."

"I just gave you a suitable bride." Narcia's voice was sharp like a whip as she held the bag, turning it invisible with the device so no one would see it or suspect a thing. "Don't delude yourself into thinking we're equals, Itward." He laughed as Narcia exited the room and walked towards hers... to find Shiro missing. She could tinker and invent later, Ellie would never stop complaining if she didn't find the servant girl. So Narcia did the logical thing and headed for the room where her previous Lady-in-waiting once slept, finding the girl chained to the bed for something or other. Narcia almost wanted to laugh, but Ellie pushed through, releasing the cuffs and then hugging the girl close. "Shiro, I'm sorry, I never should've let you out of my sight, I'm sorry! Did they hurt you? Are you okay? Please, I'm so sorry, Shiro. Please forgive me." Maybe it was because she missed Cress, or because she felt horrible for what happened to the fake Aine, or most likely it was out of remorse for Shiro, but Ellie broke into a sob, hugging the girl to her, afraid to let go.




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❝We'll break the night, and burn the pigs!❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#30b818 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #d1ca00】

|| Hope of Morning || Icon for Hire ||




"It's fine like this, Aine." Itward was licking his lips as he held Aya, and no amount of struggling would work. "The real Aine and I were betrothed before she died, so in a way, isn't this good? Once I take you as my wife, you'll be able to live as an Untouchable instead of those filthy lower tiers. You should be thankful, Aine."

"I'm not Aine." Aya whimpered, trying to fight but she couldn't, he was so much bigger, so much stronger, it was like a bear playing with a kitten. He loosened his grip and Aya squirmed away, sprinting to the door, trying to break it open but it wouldn't budge at all and Itward had her again, kissing her, smelling her and Aya cried and her fear overflowed, a yellow liquid leaking from between her legs, which only made her tormentor laugh and jeer. "Oh wow, you're just a little kid, aren't you? That's hilarious!" He forced another kiss, tongue wriggling in her, slimy and gross and disgusting and she couldn't get him off, even if she tried. "I'll have to fatten you up a bit with real food. Maybe augment you, make you bigger in the most important places. You'd like that, wouldn't you, Aine?"

Aya whimpered and shook but she knew it was hopeless. She wanted Cress, she wanted Daddy, she wanted to get out and get away. "I hate you, stupid pigs." Aya tried to sound brave, tried to sound strong like Cress did. "Why do you get to live happy while we Rubbles are always starving and dying! That's not fair, it's not right! Filthy pigs, I hate you all!" And that only made Itward's smile grow.

"You're just like how Aine was before she died." He snickered. "She said silly things like that too, even in her last moments. It'll be easy to erase your mind and mold you into the woman Aine was meant to be." Then Aine felt something jab into her - no, no, she was Aya not Aine, she wasn't Kora, she was Aya, but she felt tired and dizzy and then Itward lifted her up and everything went dark.


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Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #CD5C5C β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #C5E3BF】

|| Flaws || Bastille ||




She was staring at the sky through the glass, in some sort of dome beneath the castle, not even inside the structure itself. It was a fake sky obviously, but there were clouds drifting past in different shapes, the dome able to be changed to different scenery depending on what the controller wanted. Cress was strapped to a cold metal table, her dress ripped from struggling after waking up, her wig a bit of a mess from the brawl. "So, little piglet, why don't you squeal? Tell me everything and maybe I'll think of letting you go."

"What sort of deal is that?" Cress snorted, not falling for it. The Queen smiled, changing her gloves. The silk pair were laid in a pan, she donned an apron so as not to get her dress dirty and pulled on a pair of lab gloves. "Do you know where my daughter gets her scientific genius from?" The Queen asked, picking a small black box with a pair of tongs. "Me," she placed the box on Cress's stomach and it unraveled, wrapping around her dress, eating through her clothing. "What are you these?" Cress asked in a panic as her clothing disappeared, leaving her in panties and a bra. "Just I thought, you are an earthling."

"What are you doing?" She tugged at the restraints, the smooth metal holding her back from punching the woman in the throat. "Oh relax, it'll only eat things from this planet," the garter belt disappeared and finally, the woman called her weird bugs back, the things forming into a box once more and the Queen placed it in a box for safe keeping. She tugged away what was left of the wig and frowned. "Oh, you're that disgusting earthling that likes to play in the dirt. No matter, we'll fix you right up." She turned to her menagerie of tools, plucking one up with dainty fingers. "Let me go," Cress growled, managing to prop herself up on her elbows. The Queen grabbed one, tugging it out from beneath Cress and making the girl collapse against the table. "Open wide dear," Cress kept her mouth shut and so the Queen called a servant over who grabbed Cress's chin and headbutted her, which made Cress yelp. The Queen stuck her finger in Cress's mouth, prying her jaw open to keep it like that and sticking a pill on her tongue. Cress tried to spit it out but her jaw was shut tight with a muzzle like one would put on a dog.

"You only get to speak when spoken to. Now you think you're a wild stallion? I'm going to break you into a show horse little piglet." She struggled against the bindings, against the muzzle and the Queen smiled. "Now, let's first mark you with the brand. This means you're a prisoner you know, it shows that you're my property." She took something from her toolkit, a royal seal and touched it to Cress's hand. "This way everyone will know that you're my little pet." The metal seemed to heat on its own and Cress's back arched, she struggled, but the brand was seared into her skin, the smell of burnt flesh trapped in the vast room. "No one can save you now," the Queen whistled as she picked up the thing and placed it in a tub of cold water. She had another box, this one a bit larger. She placed it on Cress's chest, tapping the top.

"Oh it's been too long since I've last gotten to play." She hummed as the box expanded, looking a bit like an arc reactor from an earthen superhero movie. The Queen placed various discs across Cress's skin in joints and over central nerves. To test it out, she blew against one and Cress tried to scream, her sense of pain heightened. "I just leave you here for now," she touched a button and a fan turned on, blowing cold air at Cress. The Queen shut the door, glad she had sound proofed the room and typed in the passcode to lock it. She had given a servant orders to turn it off after ten minutes, knowing that the human would probably snap too quickly if she did it for any longer.

Meanwhile Cress struggled against the binds, her fiery eyes wide and burning as though they could sear a whole through the servant standing in the corner, pleading for help. Her body shook and she couldn't hold anything back, her legs trembling as she felt something warm flowing, dripping off the side of the table.


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❝Yes Mistress.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #FFAEB9 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #63D1F4】

|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||




Every three minutes a shock would go down her spine. There was a sock shoved into her mouth to stifle the sound of Shiro's whimpers. She heard the Queen's voice in her head, telling her to take it, that this was for the best, that she had been bad and Shiro believed it, knowing that she had been bad, that she had lied. No doubt the Princess was busy at work with Itward and Aine, Shiro tried to distract herself with that, wondering what they were talking about, what sort of royal business was taking place. It hardly worked though and Shiro was ripped back to reality every time the shock went, getting stronger with each pulse.

The more she struggled, the more the collar constricted against her throat, like a boa constrictor. With no one here to stop it, her death was immanent. Shiro felt terrified, tears running down her face as she took the punishment, wondering if the Queen would let her die like this or if the collar would stop when Shiro was holding on by a thread, having learned her lesson. It wasn't the worst punishment Shiro had ever had either, but it certainly was the most frightening. Most of the time the Queen would be there, watching with distasteful eyes like seeing a worm squirm on the floor, ordering it to stop when she finally thought Shiro had suffered enough. Here though, the only thing to hear her screams were the metal birds on the windowsill that were really cameras to capture the outside of the castle.

The door swung open, someone ran inside, undoing the chains, telling the collar that the punishment was over. Shiro could breathe once more, her hands trembling as the Princess hugged her. Shiro whimpered, she didn't deserve hugs, she was a bad girl and bad girls got punished that's why... That's why the Queen did this, because Shiro was a bad girl. It was a harmless fib, it wouldn't have effected the Queen either way, but Shiro shouldn't have lied in the first place. "I'm sorry Princess," Shiro hiccuped, "I was a bad girl, I left your side, so please; punish me as you see fit." Instead though, the Princess broke into a sob.

Alarmed, Shiro looked up at the Princess who was hugging Shiro like a stuffed animal. "Princess, don't cry!" Shiro looked around frantically for anything that would make it better, to make the Princess's tears stop. She looked around her bed, picking up the first thing she could find to try and make the tears stop. It was a stuffed lamb that had obviously seen better days. "Look Princess, Mr. Lamb doesn't want you to be sad anymore. He'll even bring you tea if it'll make you feel better."

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Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝A bridge shall be built to bring us together.❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#4ca2b8 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #8b4cb8】

|| Secret ~Black Vow~ || Rin/Len (cover by SirHammet) ||




"I wanted to protect you. Ellie wiped up the rest of her tears, trying to smile but knew it was broken, weak. Shiro was trying so hard to cheer her up, even though she was the one who was hurt, a little innocent girl like her, Ellie hated it, she couldn't stand a world like this. She wanted to uproot it, she wanted to tear it inside out, she wanted to change everything and make it a better world, a fair world. She'd send Cress back home, she'd give Shiro the freedom to live whatever life she wanted, and she'd rule from here, the Queen of Ourania, residing alone in Ashia Palace. Her birthright caused this tragedy, her family was corrupt and ruined everything, stomping on so many innocent lives.

Narcia wanted to roll her eyes and laugh at this idiotic earth girl, but was amused at her antics so she simply allowed Ellie to carry Shiro back to her room, the one safe place, and Ellie quickly locked it shut, not wanting to let anyone else in. The first thing Ellie did was grab at the collar as gently as she could, examining it with the new tools Itward had given her. She also flopped Shiro onto her back and pressed around to locate the chip, wanting to examine that as well. "I'll fix it." The girl whispered as she worked. "I'll save you, this won't ever happen again." Once she was satisfied, Ellie went to the balcony to retrieve her toolbox, then emptied Itward's supply bag on her desk with the box's contents as well. She pressed the button on the Privacy Module, frying any new bugs that might have been implanted, and began her work.

Once Ellie finished, she had two small devices. She synchronized them to the same frequency, tapping one and she felt the other one react in kind. The little tech wizard nodded, feeling accomplished. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it'd do for now. She put one in her fist and walked over to Shiro with as much warmth as she could muster. "Open up, Shiro, I promise, it'll taste good." She added artificial flavoring to make it seem just like candy and dropped it into Shiro's mouth, ordering her to swallow it without chewing. Then she swallowed the other one, and all of a sudden she felt a new connection with the little blonde girl, tasting candy even though hers wasn't flavored at all.

"Now we're connected." Ellie smiled, gripping Shiro's hands and feeling someone's hands gripping her own. "Whatever you feel, I'll feel it too. Wherever you are, I'll be able to sense you. I'll always come save you." Ellie hugged the girl, feeling herself being hugged. "But it's only a one-way connection, so if I get hurt, you won't have to feel it too. So don't worry, you'll be okay."

Maybe now the girl would understand. That would be nice, wouldn't it?






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❝We'll break the night, and burn the pigs!❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#30b818 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #d1ca00】

|| Hope of Morning || Icon for Hire ||




Before hell started, Aya had her wrists chained together above her head, and was forced to stand on her tippy toes before whenever she relaxed her feet, a wave of pain would rip through her body. Already she knew her wrists would probably never feel the same, the cuffs had needles that stabbed deep in, scratching against the bone, injecting something weird if they ever sensed the whole of her feet touching the office floor. Aya was tired, she was so tired but she had to keep trying to stand, but her toes felt like they were on fire and her whole body was shaking and trembling, a puddle of yellow below her, a mark of her shame. She was given a pill so she couldn't see anything and so pain was extra sensitive and Aya was just crying helplessly. Worst was that Itward didn't even seem like he was paying attention at all, just talking to her as if nothing was happening at all.

Being naked made it even more painful, and every so often he would walk over to touch her and lick her and make her feel weird and it was scary. He called her beautiful, but Aya felt like he was talking about food than anything else, as if she was some kind of meal. The fear never stopped but she knew she would have to let her toes and legs rest for another few seconds if it meant sacrificing her wrists even more.

"Pl-please... make it stop.."

"But Aine, this is your punishment." Itward's voice was gentle and kind, making Aya wonder if he was even watching her hurting, if he even cared. Every so often she heard the flip of a page, was he really just reading while her world was endless pain? "Remember, back when you were twelve, and you tried to start a war? You even charmed my father with your lies, you made him believe you, and because of him, he died. You remember, don't you, Aine?"

Aya didn't remember anything, because she wasn't Aine. She was Aya, Daddy said she was Aya, so that's what she was. She didn't want to be Aine, but she knew that Aine was watching her, trying to encourage her, to tell her to be strong. There was another voice trying to help, and she knew it was Kora. Cress, where was Cress, what was the Queen doing to her? Aya didn't know, she was scared, she wanted to go home and cry but Daddy would hurt her more and then the hurt would keep happening.

"I'm not Aine." She begged, crying out as she relaxed her lower body, preparing her upper body to feel pain all over, everywhere, it was getting hard to breathe now. "I'm Aya, Daddy says I'm Aya, I don't like this, I don't want this...!"

Itward chuckled nastily. "I mean, because of you, I'm now the head of the family. So maybe I should thank you, Aine." He grabbed at her belly, her chest, at that important spot no one was allowed to touch, and Aya whimpered and shook, wriggling but there wasn't enough strength in her to resist. "It is interesting, though. All these bruises... has someone been hurting you, dear? That would be horrible, wouldn't it?" No! Daddy was love, Daddy always loved, it wasn't hurt at all because Daddy was always right. "Oh, Nio, knock before you come in, would you?" Who was Itward talking to? Aya heard steps but nothing else, and she couldn't see anything. "Yes, that's Aine. I'm punishing her for her tricks, don't worry. Run along now, sister."

Aya was confused. Who was Nio?

"Ah, you can't see. Forgot." Itward laughed nastily. "She's my youngest sister, nine years old. She was very close to you before, Aine, you brainwashed her." There was a different emotion in Itward's voice now, but Aya couldn't figure it out because of all the hurting. "I married off my other sisters, but Nio's still unsuitable. Do you want to know why?"

The blonde wasn't sure she wanted to know. But she cried again as she went back on her tired toes, to give her arms and wrists a short break from the pain. "She tried to copy you, tried to make nobles join the rebels! Can you believe it? I couldn't let it happen. It's bad for the family, Aine. So I took care of it. I stole Nio's voice, so she can't speak out. It's safer this way. The disgusting Seraphim family won't go after her if she's mute. It's brotherly love, see?"

Aya just wanted to die because it hurt so much.


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Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #CD5C5C β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #C5E3BF】

|| Flaws || Bastille ||




"Stand up now, let me see." Cress refused and every time she did, she would get hit by a metal whip with a spike on the end that tore into her skin. The whip crackled and she whimpered, the muzzle preventing much more. "I said stand up, don't make me repeat myself." So Cress got to her feet, legs shaking, shame filling her stomach. The Queen had specially made a new torture device, a pair of cat ears and a tail that burrowed into her skin and responded to a neural transmitter she had injected into Cress's head. Despite it all, Cress was still fighting, her eyes burning, as though she could shoot lasers at the Queen. "Oh how wonderful, now you look like the truly pathetic animal you are." She put Cress's head, then pulled on one of the cat ears. It was a piece of complicated technology that made the tail and ears look real, they even moved about, the ears twitching in response to Cress's thoughts.

"Since you've insisted on doing your business like an animal on the table, I've demeaned to one you humans so cherish." The Queen said with a smile, as though she were doing Cress a favor. "Tie her back down, on her stomach this time." The Queen said to a servant and handed them a leash. Cress was back on the table, this time her arms and legs stretched out spread eagle. Cress had a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach, especially when something slid up her leg, then the other, two needles connected to some sort of machine. They went into her hands, a needle through each finger that pinned them down. It was terribly painful and she was bleeding.

"Try to hold it in kitten, lest you want to be punished further." No Cress did not want that. She didn't even understand why she was being punished now. There was a click of a button and something was injected into her, making Cress feel sick. Her ears began to bleed, the sound of a cacophony like an off tuned orchestra playing in her ears before deafening silence. Cress's eyes widened, she couldn't hear anything. Another needle went off, this one causing pain. It felt as though her entire body was on fire and she trembled, trying to make the burning stop. She could feel another puddle beneath her and tears in her eyes at the shame from the loss of control.

Another injection, this one making her limbs numb so that she couldn't feel the Queen's hands on her, running down her spine. "There," she said, but Cress couldn't hear it. Another injection, this one in her spine, a chip, just like the one the other servants had. This one was connected to the neural transmitter and the collar around her neck. Another injection and her mind slipped away. Cress could no longer see what was in front of her, she was back on earth, Ellie standing before her. Cress tried to call out, but her voice was lost. Her cousin didn't seem to see her though, she was standing beside someone else, someone very important to Cress.

Her Father.

The two were smiling, holding hands, and then, a car came from nowhere, hitting them both. Her father was flung away, but Ellie, Ellie was trapped beneath a tire. Cress tried to run with her, but her body wouldn't move and she couldn't make a sound.

When the illusion faded, Cress was shaking. She had peed herself again, the liquid pooling beneath her stomach. The rest of the needles were taken out, Cress wasn't even sure what they were for. "You've done it again," the Queen sighed, shaking her head. She put a leash on Cress, leading the girl out of the room and further into the lower levels, taking Cress to the bathroom. She touched the human's body, washing her down, stopping in exceptionally sensitive areas. Cress was entirely uncomfortable as she was doused with cold water and then blow dried. She was at least given new undergarments before being led back to that room and forced into a handstand against the wall. There was a needle pressed against her jugular, if she so much as moved, Cress would be pierced by it.


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❝Yes Mistress.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #FFAEB9 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #63D1F4】

|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||




Shiro wasn't sure what the Princess was doing, she watched as the female walked around busily, doing this and that with her tools. She lay on her stomach as directed, feeling the pressure of the Princess's fingers against her spine, searching for the chip. Shiro didn't understand, but she had never really been too smart in the first place. Sure she had learned to read and write but her education beyond that was subjective to what the Princess may need her to do. She could brew a pot of tea with the best of them, but watching a technological genius confused her to no end and so Shiro waited in the place the Princess had put her, not wanting to be punished again. She looked at her hands, noting how her gloves were stained with blood, no doubt from Shiro clawing at the bed.

She waited, feeling ashamed that she had made the Princess cry and then finally, the Princess came over. Without hesitation Shiro opened her mouth, swallowing the pill. Shiro didn't realize what it was for, but even if she had it wasn't as though she could resist. One of the Lady in Waiting's jobs was to ensure that nothing poisoned the Princess and if Nee asked her to do it than Shiro had to. "Princess no!" Shiro felt panicked, if she was punished then Nee would be hurt too. No, this wasn't fair, it was Shiro's job to protect the Princess, how could she do that now? Shiro felt panicked.

No doubt the collar would pick up her panic and assume she had done something wrong so Shiro forced herself to calm down. She couldn't allow the Princess to hurt herself like this, she would have to tell someone. "Princess, you are far too important." Shiro said, taking Nee's hands in her's. "I'm the one who's supposed to save you. I'm supposed to be your protector." How could she do her job properly now if Nee got hurt too? That's it, Shiro would just have to tell someone. No doubt she'd be punished severely for letting this happen, but Shiro would have to accept it if she wanted to save the Princess from herself.

"I'm sorry, I have to tell the Queen."

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Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝A bridge shall be built to bring us together.❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#4ca2b8 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #8b4cb8】

|| Secret ~Black Vow~ || Rin/Len (cover by SirHammet) ||




Ellie smiled peacefully at Shiro as she tested the pills, making sure they were only one-way transmitted by pinching her skin and seeing no reaction on Shiro's end. To make sure she pressed her nails until a tiny bit of red showed, smiling brightly. Yes, it was a success! But then her smile faltered as Shiro spoke, and although Narcia accepted the words without question, Ellie wasn't so sure. "Far too important? What makes me important?" Ellie asked pointedly, voice hard. "Why do I get to live a life of luxury while others suffer? What makes me so special? I refuse it, I won't accept it. I won't live happy if it means people like you get hurt." She gripped Shiro's shoulders in desperation, staring deep into the girl's eyes. "I want to share your pain, I don't want to be the kind of person that can be happy when others are sad! I won't, I won't become a monster like the Queen!"

Even if it was foolish, it felt nice to say it. To finally admit that she spurned her family, that she denounced them. These people were monsters, each and every one of them. Ellie wished she could've come sooner, that she could've somehow teamed up with Aine so the two could have worked together, but now Aine was gone so fixing this messed up world fell onto her back. It was Ellie's duty and Narcia just laughed, mocking and cruel as she always was.

"I'll make a new world, a different world." Ellie vowed, grabbing onto Shiro to make sure she couldn't escape. Ellie was always weak, frail, but it wasn't too hard to overpower the servant. "One where good people like you won't have to get hurt. Why don't you understand?"

Ellie felt hopelessly lonely, lost in a world where everyone was evil, or too brainwashed to see the problems at hand. Shiro was hurt too much that she had no idea how bad the world was, did she? Her way of thinking was horribly warped. Maybe, maybe if - was it silly? Was it silly to consider teaming up with the Cherubim if it meant a chance to chance the current system and usher in a new era, an era of equality and peace? Itward would never go for it, but Ellie knew his weakness, from delving into Narcia's memories. If she could arrange for his little sister, Nio, to be moved to the main palace, he'd have the perfect hostage to force Itward to be her pawn.

A part of Ellie was frightened to admit that she was willing to use a hostage if it meant changing the world. But another smart simply smiled at Shiro, walking to the balcony, leaning on the edge. "If you tell my mother, I'll jump and die." Ellie said with a promise. "Because if you still don't understand how important you are to me, then there's no reason to keep trying, is there? I might as well give up, right?" Ellie watched Shiro, gauging to see her reaction.



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❝We'll break the night, and burn the pigs!❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#30b818 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #d1ca00】

|| Hope of Morning || Icon for Hire ||




There was something inside of Aya. It was a weird machine-type thing and it connected inside of her special spot, forcing her to sit on top of it, feeling filled and stretched open and full of pain and agony, whimpering and moaning. She couldn't see, she was still blind but she didn't have to see to know something horrible was going to happen. Itward's hand was on her shoulder, caressing her spine, her side, hugging her from behind. Aya mewled in fear, wondering what was going to happen. Her hands were numb, she couldn't even feel them after the man released her from the first trap.

"Don't worry, Aine." His voice was smooth and gentle, as if the two were sitting on a couch, playing a game together or something. "This isn't punishment, it's just something I have to do. You understand, don't you?"

"No." The girl's voice was little more than a whisper on the wind, with no strength or volume to it. Her mind was in tatters and there wasn't much left in her. Every time she was about to pass out from the pain, Itward would stab her with something that felt like a needle and force her awake again to make the machine keep messing up her insides, to keep causing pain everywhere. "Aine doesn't... understand it..."

She was only released from the first trap once she surrendered and called herself Aine, knowing Daddy would be disappointed. She was so weak, so pitiful, and she knew Daddy would be sad that Aya was dead now, that she was Aine now. Aine quivered, wishing she had clothes, wishing this was just a horrible nightmare but that was too easy, way too easy. Aine needed to suffer for trying to trick the nobles, and this was the payback. "This will help you hold in your bladder." Itward said gently, licking the tears staining her cheeks. "I'm augmenting you, Aine, your feminine charms. Now, every time you need to relieve yourself, you'll feel intense, unbearable pain, to remind you to hold it in like a big girl. You can do that, can't you? It's not fit for a lady to spill all over her nice clothes, Aine."

"Yes, Itward." Aine mumbled, shuddering, not bothering to struggle as the augmentation was done. She felt something happening in her, something changing in her and it hurt and it stung and she hated it, she wanted to kill herself to make it stop, to go back to being Aya and to see Kora again and to sleep forever but no, that was impossible, it wasn't going to be that easy. "Like this, you'll also never be able to bear children." Itward took on a more menacing tone. "Only one woman's fit to bear my seed, and that's the Princess herself. You don't have the right, Aine, I'm sorry. But you understand, right?"

So now her ultimate duty as a girl was taken from her, wasn't it? For some reason that devastated Aine. She wanted to one day have a family full of kids and have them live happy lives and watch them grow and laugh and smile and love life. But like this, that was forever taken from her, wasn't it, all at the whims of this filthy rich pig. Aine didn't even have the will to cry anymore, her mind going blank as the augmentation continued, feeling every change happening within.


Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #CD5C5C β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #C5E3BF】

|| Flaws || Bastille ||




"You're a little animal and wild animals must be spayed appropriately." The Queen hummed as she waved her tools above Cress, the girl no longer in a handstand but laying tiredly bound against the table. What the Queen didn't know was that Cress already couldn't have children, the car accident had taken it from her. So she lay motionless, counting this a victory. The woman went in, using some sort of wand looking thing that made her squirm uncomfortably. "Move around and it'll hurt more," Cress let out what sounded like a cross between a whimper and a growl. "Oh hush now, I'm doing you a favor, grooming you for a very special boy." The Queen had no idea that Itward had Aine, otherwise she wouldn't have bothered grooming Cress for this. She needed the girl out of the castle though, the longer she stayed here, the more risky it was that the Princess may think something is wrong.

So the Queen finished up, cleaning Cress up and preparing her to be sent to Itward. She wrapped the girl's chest in ribbon, putting a little bow on her tail and putting her in a box, her body bound in pretty pink bows that matched her eyes. "Send it to Itward Cheribum as a gift from the Queen," she told a servant and the box was placed on an outgoing pod. Cress had been sedated so that she couldn't escape in transport but in her mind she was making plans, she'd escape, one way or another.

There was a servant waiting to receive the package and they picked up the box, taking it to Itward's room and preparing the gift as instructed, laying the girl out on the bed, replacing the muzzle with a ball gag and leaving the card on top. "Master Itward, there is a gift courtesy of the Queen awaiting you in your room." The Servant said, not meeting Itward's eyes and stepping outside while bowing, closing the door behind them. There was a tiny chip inside the ribbon on her tail that would keep Cress sedated until Itward came to open his present up. The card on top was one from the Queen's personal stationary, a handwritten note on top embellished with the Queen's flourishing signature.

Dear Sir Cheribum,
Please consider this an early birthday gift until the Princess herself is ready to receive you. The kitten has already been groomed specially for you.

Respectively,
The Queen, ruler of Ashia Palace.


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❝Yes Mistress.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #FFAEB9 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #63D1F4】

|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||




Shiro whimpered underneath the Princess's fury, the collar recognized the anger in the Princess's voice and gave Shiro a light zap. "You're not a monster," Shiro assured her. "But Princess, you're going to be the next ruler of Ashia Palace, me, I'm just your lady in waiting. I may be important to you but to everyone else, I'm just a servant. So please, don't hurt yourself like this." It was the first sign Shiro had shown of understanding, but Shiro also knew of the bindings of the caste system, that she couldn't prevent the Princess from doing anything she wanted because of the fact that she was the Princess and her rule was ultimate. So if this was what the Princess wanted then Shiro would have to go along with it.

"No Princess, please! If you die, I-I'll be all alone," it was terribly selfish and Shiro knew it and yet, she couldn't help it. The collar was picking up the signals of distress and as Shiro ran to the Princess's side to prevent her from jumping, the Queen was signaled. The Queen took her time getting dressed of course, she had to appear perfect in every way and so once she was done she made a grand sweep, heading out to check what was causing one of her servants so much stress. She would never have expected it to be her daughter, standing on the balcony with Shiro trying to beg for her to come down. "Please Princess, I, I need you. Ashia needs you!" The Queen picked up her gown, daintily coming over to where her daughter was standing. "Narcia, come down this instant." Her voice was cool and Shiro's expression was full of panic.

"It seems for once you've done your job," she said and Shiro actually fell to her knees in relief, knowing she had been spared from punishment this time. "If you insist on doing foolish things then I'll insist on foolish punishments," she grabbed the girl by her ear and dragged her daughter back inside. "Shiro come here," Shiro ran to the Queen's side, looking between the two. The Queen locked the door to the balcony and handed the key to Shiro. "Swallow it," she said and Shiro looked up in confusion. "Excuse me my Queen?"

"Don't make me repeat myself Shiro, you know how I dread telling you instructions twice." Shiro opened her mouth and with some difficulty, swallowed the key. She could feel it trying to come back up, the cold metal against her throat and she gagged. "Don't you dare throw that up," the Queen threatened. "These carpets are worth more than your petty life." Shiro nodded her head, placing both hands over her mouth as the Queen turned to her daughter. "You may have your freedom back once Shiro has passed the key, but until then, you are punished for taking such brash and ridiculous actions."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝A bridge shall be built to bring us together.❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#4ca2b8 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #8b4cb8】

|| Secret ~Black Vow~ || Rin/Len (cover by SirHammet) ||




"I'm the daughter of a monster, so what does that make me?" Ellie smiled, full of ice, feeling Shiro receive a shock and thus Ellie felt the pain of it herself, her body jerking as she stood up on the tails, arms outstretched like a bird's wings, overseeing the clouds and the endless expanse of the sky. One step, and this horrible nightmare would be over. Maybe if she was lucky, maybe if it was possible, this all could just be some dream and she would wake up at Cress's side, having imagined everything up. How nice it would be if that were possible. Ellie stared down below, knowing her body would burn up before she ever hit the ground. The air was thin up here, and she knew she was specially fitted with lungs that could breathe this air - as did everyone else that lived in the palace. "The only thing to do with a monster is to slay it, isn't that right, Shiro?" A sneaky little smile crossed her features and Narcia herself didn't seem to mind dying either, considering it simply fate's path if that were to happen.

Ellie's smile grew wider as she watched Shiro. "I refuse to rule a kingdom in which my lady in waiting has to suffer for my crimes." She said simply, wondering where this new bravery was coming from. "What if we both fell, together? You won't have to be alone. We could exit this horrible life as partners. I'd free us both. Come here, Shiro. I'll end it for the both of us." The princess held her hand out invitingly.

And then the Queen arrived, in all her glory, and that made Ellie's smile grow only wider. "...Hello, mother. It's about time you came." As the Queen approached, admonishing her, Ellie grabbed her, trying to overpower her. It was supposed to be so easy, beyond simple to just knock the Queen off to her death, ending her miserable existence once and for all, and bringing about a new age. "Just die already. It's my turn to rule." Unfortunately, Ellie had no strength in her upper body and she was forced down by the ear, dragged back into her room and the balcony was shut, locked, Shiro made to swallow the key. Ellie herself choked, feeling cold metal being forced down her throat. The urge to puke was there but Narcia gladly took control, maintaining her composure so Nirana wouldn't suspect a thing.

"Farewell, mother." Narcia whispered as Nirana left, their new prison made. And for once, Narcia seemed willing to cooperate, walking over to comfort Shiro, smiling and pointing at her own spasming throat. "See? I'll suffer alongside you. We're partners." Ellie was surprised but then Narcia told her, in a suddenly warm tone, that if her mother was willing to make her choke, than she would aid in the rebellion, even if it was pointless. Ellie sighed, wondering why she was ever like that as a child.

The first thing to do was to expedite Shiro's suffering so Ellie sat on her desk, tinkering, playing, clanking tools against various tech things until her task was complete. This was a bit more experimental as well as rushed, so there was no guarantee it would work. She pressed the light into Shiro's eyes with a little grin, knowing the frequency would activate the part of the brain to stimulate a bowel movement. "We're a team, Shiro. We'll topple the Queen. Work with me, okay?"




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❝We'll break the night, and burn the pigs!❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#30b818 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #d1ca00】

|| Hope of Morning || Icon for Hire ||




Aine was clothed in rags when Itward walked in, inviting Nio into his office as well as a familiar girl, wrapped in ribbons. He quickly chained Cress to the corner of the room, snapping his fingers in her face, trying to get her attention. After the augmentation, Aine was bleeding profusely from her wound between her legs, staining the mat she was allowed to sit on with red, every movement bringing pain. Her eyes were hollow and glazed, hardly paying attention to anything.

"Looks like she worked you over hard, earthling." Itward said with a smirk, reading the letter with amusement as Nio washed blood off of Aine's limp, unresponsive body. "Doesn't seem like you had a fun time. No worries, I mean to do nothing of the sort. You have a fire in your eyes, earthling, a fire I could use." The blonde girl remained silent, wishing she had the will and the strength to move, to somehow say something to Cress, to warn her, Itward was a monster he was evil, he hurt her in bad ways and stole Nio's voice. Nio was a tiny thing, emotionless eyes from being forced to live mute for the past few years since the first Aine's death.

"Let's make a deal." The man grinned invitingly. "Cooperate with me. Help me take out the Queen, the evil Seraphim family. I intend to become the King, to take the Princess as my own. Work with me, and I'll set you free, girl. Otherwise, I can make you feel much worse than you already do." He gestured at Aine's broken form with a little laugh. "So, do we have a deal? Shall we make a team for the time being?" He glanced over at Aine and shrugged. "I'll even set Aine free to return to the Rubble with you if you agree to team up with me. All I ask is for the Princess's heart, body, and soul."


Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #CD5C5C β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #C5E3BF】

|| Flaws || Bastille ||




Cress's blissful nap didn't last long, when the ribbons were removed, Cress jolted awake, struggling against her binds. A little girl was standing there, dull eyed and watching, holding one of the ribbons. The only piece left were the ones covering the essential bits and the girl yanked Cress to her feet, leading the kitten to a new room where that boy from the ball was and Aya, bleeding out, no doubt suffering some sort of internal wound. He spoke to her, but Cress wasn't listening. She was chained to the wall, the ball gag preventing her from yelling or cursing him out.

Finally she heard the bit where he wanted her cousin and an idea formed in Cress's mind as the little girl removed the gag and Cress coughed, able to speak once more. It was such a treat to be able to open her mouth freely, to not have a muzzle shutting it tight. "You idiot," she gasped, her voice a bit scratchy, but nonetheless strong. "Do you know who I am?" She asked, eyes like fire. "I'm the Princess's cousin, low and behold, if she dies, if they all die, I'm next in line to the throne." Cress grinned. "I'm much better than her too," she nudged her head in Aya's direction, hoping Aya could hear her, could hear that Cress was trying to free her. Cress wiggled a little, the ribbons falling off to reveal a peak of her mounds beneath.

"I'll tell you what, set the blonde free and I'll help you overthrow the monarchy. Unlike my pestilent cousin, I'll willingly become your bride." Cress tried for a smile, the expression seeming to warm up the entire area. "I'll even let you augment me. So what do you say?" Cress wasn't happy, not in the least bit, but Aya was clearly dying. There was no light in her eyes, the childish youthfulness gone as the girl lay limply on the mat. Hopefully, if Aya got out and somehow made it back to Xion then Aya would tell Xion that Cress was here and they'd somehow extract her. In the meantime, Aya needed to get to a Doctor. No doubt the internal wound would kill her if this idiot Itward didn't make a decision quickly.

Cress smiled, her tail swishing back and forth. She tried to appear pleasant, desirable. Her hair had grown a bit and was no longer super short, but at a moderate bob that melded well together with the ears and tail. The Queen certainly had good taste, Cress looked like a treat waiting to be opened what with the ribbons and all and she was offering herself up as long as Itward let Aya go. They had a word back on earth for his kind and it started with a P and ended with il.


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❝Yes Mistress.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #FFAEB9 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #63D1F4】

|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||




Shiro's stomach made a weird noise as the Queen left and for a moment Shiro was worried that the key was somehow poisoned and the Queen was going to kill her. Thankfully, Shiro did not keel over and so she watched the Princess tinker once more. "I'm sorry Princess, you wouldn't be in pain if I hadn't made a mistake." Shiro felt like she had betrayed Nee by indirectly summoning the Queen from having panicked. Now though Shiro was calm and she felt ashamed, looking at the ground, unable to meet the Princess's eyes. Shiro was unworthy and yet the Princess wanted to keep her around. She kept calling Shiro a friend but Shiro was confused, she was trained to believe that no one was her friend, that she was simply a tool for serving and pleasing, nothing more.

When the Princess called her over Shiro didn't hesitate, allowing Nee to shine the light in her eyes. Shiro winced, squinting at the light, wondering what it was meant to do. Her stomach rumbled dangerously and Shiro clenched, her behind, feeling it automatically. "Um, excuse me Princess." Shiro bowed and rushed off to the bathroom in her room, sighing in relief at the fact that she had made it and not shamed the Princess further by going to the bathroom on the carpet. After all that carpet was worth more than her, the Queen had made that clear. Unfortunately, since Shiro had just swallowed the key it would take at most a day for it to come out and until then they were stuck inside.

"Would you like me to get you some tea Princess? Or perhaps a warm towel to rest her hands with?" Shiro asked once she had returned. Even with her unstable bowls she would serve the Princess hoping to be able to do her job. This was a test, Shiro was sure of, swallow the key and continue ensuring the Princess's safety and taking care of every whim, even if it was the most outlandish request. If Nee asked Shiro to put on a bunny costume and do the macerena. .

Setting

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Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝A bridge shall be built to bring us together.❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#4ca2b8 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #8b4cb8】

|| Secret ~Black Vow~ || Rin/Len (cover by SirHammet) ||




Ellie resisted the urge to empty her behind, as difficult as it was, allowing Shiro to go first and relieve herself. The princess felt incredibly uncomfortable, trying her best not to outwardly show her own troubles due to the sync pills, but once Shiro passed, so did Ellie, and she sighed in relief, the tension gone for the time being. Unfortunately the key hadn't emerged yet. "Sorry." Ellie groaned, flopping onto the bed. "I suppose it wouldn't be that easy, Shiro."

With that done, Ellie pulled out the stolen Gravity Drive. How had the fake Aine even received it in the first place? Furthermore, it was proof that the Dorones family was clearly not acting in support of the Queen, right? Narcia turned ideas over. There was no way for Aine to have survived - everyone who had power wanted and needed her to die, that much was obvious. What had Serpina Dorones done after her passing in order to prevent his own execution for treason? In most cases, such a thing would definitely have lead to his death. Treason was the worst crime in Ashia, after all. But perhaps the Dorones were under the protection of the Cherubim? This brought a whole slew of issues to the forefront. Assuming the fake Aine was working with Serpina, why would Itward take an interest in her if the Dorones were being protected by the Cherubim? That didn't make sense so Narcia dismissed the thought.

More plotting for now would lead to nothing, so instead Ellie reached over to touch Shiro's collar, trying to find the release. She pressed a button and felt a jolt of electricity pour through her, no doubt hurting Shiro as well and guilty flooded her. "Sorry, I thought maybe it was the same model as before." Ellie patted Shiro's head with a sad expression. "I guess it's an upgraded version so there's a more complicated release protocal. If I could remove it and replace it with a replica that fooled the Queen on every level, even with fake shocks, that would be good. It'll take a while, though, so I apologize."

Frustrated, Ellie flopped onto the floor, kicking her foot against the carpet, laying on her belly. "I only hurt you, Shiro. I failed at protecting you, haven't I?" Ellie shook her head, upset at herself. She was a failure, she was useless, wasn't she?




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❝We'll break the night, and burn the pigs!❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#30b818 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #d1ca00】

|| Hope of Morning || Icon for Hire ||




Itward's eyes seemed to light up as the mention of her being related to Narcia, even as Aine tried to shake her head to tell Cress no, to just leave her to die and keep fighting on her own. Aine was prepared for it, she died before after all so it was fine, so why? Why was Cress risking herself like this, why was Cress doing this for a useless girl like her? Aine should just die, yes she should, it as all she was good for.

"That makes things much more interesting." Itward squatted down, wrenching open Cress's mouth and defiling with his tongue, making appreciate noises. He broke it apart relatively quickly, licking up the saliva that had fallen, satisfied. "Very interesting, earthling. You're a fighter even after the tyrant Queen's games." Plots were already running through his head as he stroked the hair, pulling the tail appreciatively. "I wonder how the Princess would feel if I told her I had you." He snickered at that. "With you in hand, she'll be glad to be my pawn."

"No." Aine whimpered, weak and helpless, like a dying squirrel's last sqeak. "Cress..... no... okay?" She was trying to talk, to form thoughts but everything felt weak and cold and she was shaking as the red pooled below her, feeling like she was peeing but worse, much worse. This was death, Aine knew, this was the end, she wouldn't return home to Daddy or see the Rubbles or fly on her bike or watch the world change for the better. But Cress still could, Cress was still strong. "No..." She tried again, even as Nio tapped her and shook her head for her to fall silent. "Cress..."

Itward's face seemed to widen at that. "Cress, huh? It's a nice name, girl." He pulled out his holophone and dialed a number, and Narcia's face appeared, cold as ice as always, laying on her bed like a princess should. "I have a certain Cress here." Itward grinned and aimed the screen at the kitten. "So, how about you join my team? You'll do as I say, of course."

The Princess's expression was unreadable as she stared, hardly an emotion in those darkened eyes. "Fine, I'll cooperate, but only if you release her. You may use Aine as you wish, I care not for the traitor of the Untouchable Tier." Aine let out a weak desperate whimper, her breaths becoming harder and harder to come by, and Itward seemed to gleam in victory. "If you want her safety, you'll pledge your allegiance to me. With your body, Nee."

"We shall see, Itward." And the screen cut off. The head of the Cherubim house laughed, spreading his arms. "As you can see, Cress, Nee and I, we have a history. She's always been a thorn in my side, impressing more people than me, gaining more favor than me. Aine was trouble as well - the two girls gained so much favor that I was almost ignored! Luckily, I earned my recognition once I became head. But I will punish the Princess for making my life oh so difficult as a young boy."

He then motioned for Aine to be carted away so Nio pressed a button, a doctor entering the office to carry the bleeding girl to get medical aid. "And because you're so delectable, I'll save Aine for you. So you owe me your life too, won't you, Cress?"


Setting

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Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #CD5C5C β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #C5E3BF】

|| Flaws || Bastille ||




If Itward had been a machine, Cress would have been able to see the gears turning in his head, weighing, thinking, trying to figure out his options. He mentioned things being interesting then kneeled in front of Cress and tilted her head upward, sticking his tongue inside her mouth, exploring, tasting, violating. Cress let him, she gave some resistance though, knowing that was probably what he wanted. His tongue flicked across her lips afterwards and she winced, he was pulling at her tail, his filthy hands running through her hair. She had to bear it though, for Aya. Cress was doing this for Aya, to get the girl out, to get her some help for the blood. How could Itward even think of defiling someone so young? Of sticking things where they didn't belong.

Cress would let him do it to her, she would let him do whatever he wanted with her body if he only agreed to set Aya free. She was hoping to get her cousin out too, determined to make Itward forget about Ellie. Aya was squeaking, making sounds of protest. "Hush," Cress said to Aya, her expression patient. "This is for your own good. Okay? Go back to Xion." Hopefully Aya would understand what Cress was saying, that Aya should tell Xion everything, to try and convince Xion to rescue Cress from her new prison. At least it was better than being tortured by the queen, muzzled and put into hallucinations to believe that Ellie was dying and there was no way for Cress to help her.

She heard Itward again, chiming in, saying that her name was nice. "My parents gave it to me," she replied, making a harmless comment. Cress was named for the stage of the moon the night she was born, a crescent. Her mother used to joke it was really because she had craved croissants during her entire pregnancy but her father wouldn't let her mother name her after a pastry and so they had compromised. In any case, Cress was very happy that her name was not croissant.

Itward took out a phone, dialing someone and her stomach dropped when her cousin's face appeared on the screen, eyes like ice. Cress didn't want anyone to see her in such a pathetic state, chained and mostly naked, especially not Ellie, her precious cousin, who Cress had always tried to be a guiding light for. Ellie never met her eyes and hopefully, she didn't see her. It was a relief to be honest, even if Cress wanted to scream at Ellie not to, that the entire thing was a trick, a plot to eventually lead to her capture. If things did get that far, Cress would bargain for Ellie's freedom too. Maybe this way she can get Ellie to go back to earth, to take Aya in Cress's place so that she could ensure no one would ever go after them again.

Ellie agreed to cooperate with him. Cress's stomach was doing flip flops. Itward asked her to pledge her body, but why did he still want Ellie if Cress said he could have her instead? He explained it, saying that her cousin was always a thorn in his side, troublesome from the start. Cress didn't doubt it, "my cousin has always had a way with words." Cress replied, her pink eyes seeming to glow as she waited. Then it came, he would free Aya.

"Yes, my life is yours." Cress replied, although her eyes said differently as fiery as ever while she watched as two servants came with a stretcher, placing Aya on it and walking out, presumably to where she would get medical help for the blood.


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❝Yes Mistress.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #FFAEB9 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #63D1F4】

|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||




Again the Princess went back to tinkering with her tools, touching Shiro's collar lightly, sending a zap through both of them that made Shiro yelp, losing her composure, jumping away so she got the brunt of the shock. Thank goodness, the Princess only seemed to get a tiny bit of it. Shiro was relieved, if anything happened she wouldn't forgive herself for failing her job to protect the Princess. Nee was fighting too, in this way, rebelling against her mother by trying to augment the collar. "It's okay, I grew up with it." Shiro pulled the ribbon back up that covered the collar, her smile remaining pleasant despite her unease. If the collar was disconnected for more than five minutes, the chip would send a paralyzation agent into Shiro's body that immobilize her long enough for someone to find her and punish her for causing such mischief.

"I grew up with the collar Princess, it's nothing us servants aren't accustomed to." Shiro smiled like always, but this time there was something beneath it, perhaps a bit of sadness, a hint that not everything was as it seemed. Shiro could think back to any point in her life and realize she was still wearing the collar, except for when the new ones came and the Queen replaced the old leather one with a new metal one that formed to Cress's neck, almost tattoo like it blended in so well with her skin. The rose gold was a customized collar marking Shiro as a lady in waiting, not just any servant. There used to be a small charm on it to mark her as a trainee, but now that things were in full swing the charm was gone.

Shiro took the Princess's hands in her own and clasped them together against Shiro's desk. "Princess you have not hurt me, I deserve every punishment that comes my way. Please do not blame yourself," the Princess just came back from earth, she was still getting accustomed, Shiro told herself. Once things would be back to normal Shiro and Ellie wouldn't have this special friendship where Nee shared information with Shiro and Shiro provided all gossip she had heard. The holophone suddenly rang and Shiro scurried into the corner while the Princess picked it up. In the corner of the holograph, Shiro was surprised to see two figures, one that Itward called cress, the other the petite blonde from the ball, Aine.

What were they doing in Itward's house. One appeared to be an augmented cat, the other bleeding out on the ground. Shiro quickly exited the room, not wishing to eavesdrop and went to get the Princess's dinner. Shiro passed the Queen in the hallway and she was stopped. "Where do you think you're going?" The Queen asked, clearly not pleased by something, but by what Shiro had no idea. "To fetch the Princess's dinner," the Queen nodded, giving Shiro the thumbs up for the mouse to continue her scurrying through the maze.

Shiro pushed the dinner cart to the elevator, looking at her reflection in the silver surface. She composed herself. smoothing out her hair and pushing the cart to the Princess's room. "I have dinner Princess," Shiro placed it on the table, noticing that there must have been a mistake, there were two servings of everything. Perhaps the Princess had thought the portions were not big enough compared to those at earth? But diets were carefully calculated so that the Princess did not gain any weight.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝A bridge shall be built to bring us together.❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#4ca2b8 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #8b4cb8】

|| Secret ~Black Vow~ || Rin/Len (cover by SirHammet) ||




The sadness in Shiro's eyes made Ellie's mood worse, so she hopped back onto the bed, knowing there was nothing she could really do for the time being. She didn't have the tools to create enough heat to mold a fake key so escaping from the balcony was an impossibility. The princess was frustrated, she was upset, she wanted to somehow be able to help but nothing she was doing was working, and it seemed Shiro was only the tiniest bit closer to trusting her. The fact that the child grew up with the collar was an even bigger affront, no matter how much Narcia tried to calm her down by saying it was natural, it was destiny, that there was no hope to try to fight it.

'It's hopeless, Ellen.' Narcia whispered in her head. 'Give up. It's easier that way.' The ten year old girl seemed a little gentler now that they were becoming accustomed to inhabit the same body, every thought and sensation was shared. Ellie simply clenched her teeth, knowing not to vocalize her anger, her fury, because Shiro would suffer and so would she. "You deserved none of this, and the sooner you understand this, the sooner we can find a way out." The Princess's voice was sharp and anguished, and another jolt of electricity rippled through her, making her wince, but she kept the rest of it in. "...And I did it again. I'm so sorry, I'm no better than the Queen. I'm terrible."

Then came the talk with Itward on the phone and Ellie almost tossed her phone in rage at what had happened to her precious cousin. It was impossible to try to convey a message, though, she knew that very well. Cress was in danger. Cress was in danger and it was all Ellie's fault. If only she had never been found by Leona, if only she had never been born, then maybe things would've been different. Maybe, maybe if she had, as Narcia, supported Aine's efforts, maybe things could be different, and Cress would never have had to have been brought into this mess to begin with.

'Nee, please.' Aine begged on one of the last nights they ever spoke. 'You see, right? It's not right, this world is broken! People are being hurt, and we're living off of it! It's not right, don't you see? Please help me. I'm going to die soon, so I need your help, Nee, please...' And Narcia coldly brushed her off that night. Perhaps if she accepted the offer, everything could have gone better. Even if the effort failed and she was killed, at least Cress would have been safe.

When Ellie snapped out of her reverie, she was met by a meal for two, though it's deliciousness was marred by the fact that Cress was likely suffering this very moment, being hurt by that vile man. Ellie wondered how hard it was for little Aine, how much Itward must have broken her before she finally died. Was that her fault? Would Ellie have to add Aine's fate to her list of sins? In any case, she forced a weak smile, gesturing for Shiro to sit with her. "It's for two, silly. You eat this portion. My orders. I'll take the punishment if anyone comes in."

Ellie grinned a little. "Princess's word is absolute. Let me take the punishment this time."




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❝We'll break the night, and burn the pigs!❞

【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#30b818 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #d1ca00】

|| Hope of Morning || Icon for Hire ||




With the fake Aine gone and being operated on, Itward patted his youngest sister's head and she stood there, blank eyed. He turned to Cress, sitting next to her once again, hand stroking her naked arm, appreciating her luscious body. Oh, how he wanted to break her then and there, but that would have to wait. Imagine Nee's face if he broke the agreement in front of her, breaking in both the Princess and her cousin? That would be a victory beyond any other. "You'll serve me, whatever task I wish, won't you?" The man spoke softly, like red velvet. "You should be happy, Cress. The Queen would never let a filthy human take the throne, so serving me is your best chance for a decent life. Heh, unless you want to squabble on the dirt like the Rubbles. Pathetic fools."

The man grinned at his kitten, touching her ears now, almost salivating at this gift - though he knew very well that it was a warning. "Can you believe that the original Aine actually wanted equality? What drivel, how ridiculous." The scion of the Cherubim family smiled nostalgically, nodding his head with pride. "She was a fool, trying to start a rebellion and abolish the nobility. She could have lived a wonderful, luxurious life, and instead, I was given the right to break her. She was twelve, if I recall correctly. Her eyes were like yours, Cress. Full of fire, full of spirit. Even in the end, she never screamed."

He licked his lips. "It shall be so fun to break Nee! Do you want to watch? It'll be quite the show, my kitten."

-------------------------------

Aya knew what she had to do, even weak as she was. She nodded at Cress, trying to force a grin. This was still a mission, she couldn't just give up. She was Aya, not Aine, she couldn't, she had a mission for Xion! But - but - everything hurt, everything was so painful, the things Itward did, she wanted to cry and so she became Aine again. If she was Aine, she wouldn't be punished, if she was Aine, she was safe.

Everything was gone, wasn't it? Was there even a way to fight the filthy pigs? Was it possible to just - no, no, Aya wasn't allowed to give up! Cress was counting on her, Cress needed her to go to Xion and get help! Aya was placed on an operation table, and they poked at her dead, unresponsive and numb hands, her broken wrists, her torn muscles in her legs, and the mess that used to be her delicate bit, now a mangled mess of pain and sadness and broken, shattered dreams. Itward stole it from her, stole her future, and Aya was broken, wasn't she? But at least if she could save Cress, get word and get help, maybe, maybe...

"Aya will.... will, Nio... you..." But the little girl shook her head and opened her mouth, silently forming a word that sent chills down the blonde's spine as the docs began stemming the blood flow, not bothering with painkillers or anything of the sort, not caring for how much it hurt, limbs strapped down to stop the struggle. Worse than the pain was knowing the truth Nio had somehow told her.

She wasn't going to be free. Because the word was "Liar". And Cress would believe the lie, so Cress wouldn't come to help again, would she?


Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #CD5C5C β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #C5E3BF】

|| Flaws || Bastille ||




If Cress wasn't chained and bound she would have attacked, not holding anything back, using the moves her brothers had used on her a thousand times. Choke holds, pinning, she racked her brain for ways she could hurt this stupid prince, to make him suffer for what he had done to Aya. The poor child hadn't deserved such mutilation to her insides, the defiling Itward had no doubt done. The thought of his hands all over Aya made Cress fume and her crystalline eyes were even more furious than before. If only she wasn't tied up, if only Xion hadn't sent Aya with her. The worst part was that Cress hadn't even known, she had assumed Aya would have gotten back safely after realizing that something wasn't right. How wrong Cress had been! If she had known sooner, then-then! Then what? Cress hadn't been able to break out of the Queen's torture chamber, how would she have saved Aya?

"Yes, I'll do whatever you wish." Her voice was steel, it was clear that Cress didn't want this, that she wasn't happy, but she had no other choice. Cress didn't agree with him, she had seen how the Rubbles lived, how they had to provide for one another the best they could. Cress had been there when that little girl had died, she had been telling her a story about a better world and time, to try and give her hope. Itward hadn't seen it, the compassion of the Rubble Tier, the devotion that people gave their lives for. Without the Rubble Tier, no doubt Itward wouldn't be sitting atop his castle in the Untouchable Tier, without the Rubble Tier these people would be nothing, but Cress dare not say it so instead she told him the truth. "You weren't there, you didn't see how they suffer while you sit here like you're already King and thrive on their misery." She was shaking, her anger apparent. "I was there, I sat with a little girl who couldn't have been older than your little sister while died because she didn't have access to your fancy doctors and medicines."

"Don't pretend you know what their suffering is like, you have no idea." It was a growl, she may have had to fulfill his wishes but it didn't mean she had to hold her tongue back. Then he started stroking her head, scratching around the cat ears that were hooked into her nerves. Cress stopped talking, a weird sound coming out of her that she had never made before, almost a cross between a purr and a mewl, the sound a cat would make when enjoying scritches. She didn't understand what this feeling was, it was nice, almost comforting, but it also made her feel disgusting, as though he was violating not only her body but her mind.

"Aine was a revolutionary," her voice was euphoric, her mind too distracted by the sensation coming from Itward's hand on her head. "Is that what you think I'll do? Scream and shatter so easily?" Cress opened her eyes, their fire restored now that his hand was gone. "Nee won't break so easily, she's stronger than you think." Ice and fire, that's what Itward seemed to want. He already had his fire, wasn't that enough? Cress would have to work on it, to convince him that her cousin was a lost cause and that he only needed her body.


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❝Yes Mistress.❞


【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя: #FFAEB9 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #63D1F4】

|| I'm on Top of the World|| Imagine Dragons ||




Nee's voice was upset, the collar instantly picked up on it and sent a shock down Shiro's spine, which in turn, the Princess felt. Oh no! The Princess was getting hurt and it was all Shiro's fault. "Please Princess, don't be upset." The servant said, trying to be comforting. "You're doing excellently, you're nothing like the Queen." She was speaking truthfully, from the heart, which was where the best words always came from. Shiro tried to cheer her up, but after the holo call with Itward the Princess was even more upset. What could Shiro do to remedy this? She tried to think and an idea came to her, the Queen had always enjoyed her singing, maybe Nee would too?

So Shiro sang, a soft, melodious tune about being brave and staying strong even when the road was long. She closed her eyes, hoping it would make the Princess feel better, that she would like Shiro's singing, just like the Queen. If they shared that much then it was fine, Nee was much better than her Mother, she didn't hurt Shiro as much and Shiro could see that, but she also knew that given time, Nee would most likely get back into the swing of being back in Ashia Palace and would treat Shiro like any other servant, which was why Shiro was being extra careful. When Shiro finished, the Princess ordered her to eat a portion of her dinner and Shiro could feel her face heat up.

A-alright," Shiro stammered, she approached the seat where the Princess gestured for her to sit and cautiously sat on it, smoothing down her dress and picking up a fork, taking dainty little bites and only eating about a fourth of it since the portions servants received was normally small, but enough to sustain them until the next meal. Anything more and Shiro felt full, wondering if this is what it was like to truly be a royal. They had it good, Shiro already knew, what with servants catering to their every whim, they could have the entire planet if they wanted it.

This train of thought derailed and Shiro thought about what was beyond Ashia, why the royals had never so much as bothered about what was on the outside. If they could expand their reach then maybe the Rubble Tier wouldn't have to live in such destitute conditions. Unless, that was the point, make the people suffer to show them how lowly they truly were. The thought made Shiro sad, but she dare not show it on her face. "Thank you Princess, your kindness continues to astonish me." Shiro stood and bowed to show her gratitude, then began cleaning up once the Princess was done, taking the tray outside and going to retrieve Nee's nightgowns. "Would you prefer the heavy or the lighter one tonight Princess?" Shiro asked, holding them both up.