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Shiro

"Yes your majesty."

0 · 9,116 views · located in Noraneko

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

Description

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❝QUOTE GOES HERE ❞
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【ɗιαƖσgΟ…Ρ” cσƖσя:#FFAEB9 β™™ тнσυgΠ½Ρ‚ cσƖσя #63D1F4】

|| [url=SONGURL]songname || artist[/url] ||



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{β˜› β’»β“Šβ“β“ Ⓝ⒢ⓂⒺ ☚}
Shiro

{β˜› β“ƒβ’Ύβ’Έβ“€β“ƒβ’Άβ“‚β’Ίβ“ˆ ☚}
Shishi

{β˜› β’Άβ’Όβ’Ί ☚}
13

{β˜› ⒼⒺⓃⒹⒺⓇ ☚}
♀

{β˜› β“ˆβ’Ίβ“β“Šβ’Άβ“β’Ύβ“‰β“Ž ☚}
Unknown

{β˜› β’»β’Άβ’Έβ’Ί ⒸⓁ⒢ⒾⓂ ☚}
Latifa Fluerenza || Amagi Brilliant Park

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❝ INSPIRE US WITH A QUOTE ❞
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{β˜› ⒽⒺⒾⒼⒽⓉ ☚}
Teeny tiny

{β˜› β“Œβ’Ίβ’Ύβ’Όβ’½β“‰ ☚}
Far too skinny

{β˜› Ⓗ⒢ⒾⓇ ⒸⓄⓁⓄⓇ ☚}
Her hair is the color of buttery tulips.

{β˜› β’Ίβ“Žβ’Ί ⒸⓄⓁⓄⓇ ☚}
Her eyes are like blue sapphires.

{β˜› β’·β“„β’Ήβ“Ž β“‚β’Άβ“‡β“€β’Ύβ“ƒβ’Όβ“ˆ ☚}
She has a scar at the base of her spine from where a special chip was implanted and marks around her neck from wearing a collar.

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

Shiro is a tiny thing, hardly above 4'3 and weighing next to nothing. The girl is light and graceful as a dancer with slender ligaments and a smooth tummy. Her back, however, is where the true damage shows. It comes in the form of a small scar at the base of her spine, a chip implanted into all servants of the Ashia Palace to keep track of them. She wears a collar as well, a thin piece of metal that has a red and blue light and wraps around her throat like a choker. That, combined with the chip, is what keeps Shiro bound to service.
Her skin is the color of porcelain with a rosy complexion, eyes like crystals, and hair like finely spun gold. The Palace has a habit of surrounding itself with beautiful things and so Shiro fits in rather well. As for clothing she wears what is assigned. The lady in waiting has to wear clothing that suits the court as she dutifully follows the Princess around so Shiro has quite the collection of dresses. Of course nothing is finer than what the Princess wears but certainly they have more color than the other servants.
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β™™ QUOTE β™™
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β˜› β“β’Ύβ“€β’Ίβ“ˆβ˜š

β₯ Singing || Before the Princess returned, Shiro worked for the Queen and would often sing to her.
β₯ Warmth || Being so high up in the atmosphere means she's always cold.
β₯ Snuggling || Shiro likes to curl up at night with the bigger girls in the servant rooms. Now though, she has her own room next to the Princess.
β₯ Dancing || Shiro never took formal lessons, but she likes to make up her own dances.


❧


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❝QUOTE ❞
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β˜› β’Ήβ’Ύβ“ˆβ“β’Ύβ“€β’Ίβ“ˆβ˜š
⌦ Scoldings || Shiro does her very best to keep everyone happy.
⌦ Punishment || The collar works in a way that can sense tone of voice and is activated by key words, therefore punishment is imminent.
⌦ Servitude || It's not easy working in Ashia Palace.



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β˜›β“†β“Šβ’Ύβ“‡β“€β“ˆβ˜š
Dancing || Mostly when Shiro thinks she's alone, she'll dance around the halls like a little ballerina.
Shy || Shiro is incredibly shy and when meeting new people she'll trace the toe of her shoe on the ground.
Hiding || When Shiro knows she's done something wrong she'll hide to avoid punishment.

[center]❧


β˜› β“Œβ’Ίβ’Άβ“€β“ƒβ’Ίβ“ˆβ“ˆβ’Ίβ“ˆ ☚
⌦ Dizzy Spells || Shiro is incredibly weak, she was born with an illness that's common among children in the lower tiers that's treated at the palace.
⌦ Physical || Shiro isn't strong in the least bit, it's very easy to beat her in nearly anything.
⌦ Mental || All servants are raised to be submissive, to roll over for their master/mistress.
⌦ Praise || Shiro loves to be praised.

❧


β˜› β“ˆβ“‰β“‡β’Ίβ“ƒβ’Όβ“‰β’½β“ˆβ˜š
β₯ Kind || Shiro is probably one of the nicest servants you'll meet in the castle.
β₯ Getting Things Done || It's Shiro's job to ensure that the Princess's needs are all taken care of.
β₯ Story Teller || Shiro is a great story teller, she loves to spin tales of old Ashia classics and give them a new twist.
β₯ Lungs || Due to her affinity for singing her lungs are incredibly strong.

❧


β˜› β’»β’Ίβ’Άβ“‡β“ˆβ˜š
Punishment || Shiro is terribly afraid of being disciplined, especially knowing what's programmed inside of the collar.
Heights || Living atop a high castle, Shiro has developed a terrible fear of falling off.
The Dark || Bad things happen in the dark, so Shiro has come to abhore it.
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β™™ QUOTE β™™
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{β˜› β“…β’Ίβ“‡β“ˆβ“„β“ƒβ’Άβ“β’Ύβ“‰β“Žβ˜š}
Clipped wings, I was a broken thing
Had a voice, had a voice but I could not sing
You would wind me down
I struggled on the ground
So lost, the line had been crossed
Had a voice, had a voice but I could not talk
You held me down
I struggle to fly now

But there's a scream inside that we all try to hide
We hold on so tight, we cannot deny
Eats us alive, oh it eats us alive
Yes, there's a scream inside that we all try to hide
We hold on so tight, but I don't wanna die, no
I don't wanna die, I don't wanna die

And I don't care if I sing off key
I find myself in my melodies
I sing for love, I sing for me
I shout it out like a bird set free
No I don't care if I sing off key
I find myself in my melodies
I sing for love, I sing for me
I'll shout it out like a bird set free
I'll shout it out like a bird set free
I'll shout it out like a bird set free

Now I fly, hit the high notes
I have a voice, have a voice, hear me roar tonight
You held me down
But I fought back loud.


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❝QUOTE ❞
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{β˜› ⓅⓁ⒢ⒸⒺ β“„β’» ⓄⓇⒾⒼⒾⓃ ☚}
The Untouchable Tier, Ashia.

{β˜› β’»β’Άβ“‚β’Ύβ“β“Ž ☚}
Abandoned.

{β˜› β’½β’Ύβ“ˆβ“‰β“„β“‡β“Ž ☚}
Born in the untouchable tier, where the sanitary workers resided, Shiro was abandoned. She was born with a common illness among untouchables and a servant found her about to be crushed among a garbage compactor. The servant managed to sneak Shiro into the Palace, getting caught when a child began to wail late in the night. The King and Queen were furious of course, but the Queen took pity on the child, seeing it struggling to survive. Her wide blue eyes softened the royal family's heart seeing as how they had just lost their own daughter and so they took Shiro in, naming her for the purity only a child could have. The royal doctor tend to her and for the most part the illness is in remission, but every once in a while it acts up.
Shiro grew to be a beautiful child and the Queen kept her around, training her. They wanted her to stay cute and small and so they inhibited her growth, making Shiro wear a sort of brace that would ensure she wouldn't get taller than they desired. She was disciplined and conditioned, having the chip planted into her as soon as she could walk.

Originally, Shiro was nothing more than the Queen's pet, a little toy to entertain her and sing when she wanted her to. Then, when it was finally safe enough to consider bringing the Princess back, Shiro's real training began. It involved a lot of discipline and lessons in manners and such. Shiro wanted to please her saviors, without the King and Queen she would have been nothing after all. Shiro grew used to sleeping in a room by herself, waiting for the Princess's imminent return and wondering what she was like. When the day finally arrived, Shiro's job had finally begun, she never imagined just how hard it would truly be.

{β˜› ⓄⓉⒽⒺⓇ ☚}
Shiro likes to cover up her collar with necklaces and bows so it's rarely ever visible.




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

So begins...

Shiro'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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#, as written by Ninja Bunny
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❝If I lose it too, then we will never survive.❞

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

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


Narcia put a hand gently on where Shiro gently suckled, a reddish purple mark already forming, Shiro's love. It was sensitive in a nice way, the skin there, just above the center of one of her mounds. It brought a faint blush to her cheeks to think about, it made her happy. Shiro said that she'd stay there, at her side, and that made her happy as well. Whatever anxiety there was was gone now, and replaced with a comfortable sort of safe feeling. "I feel safe with you." She whispered. "Shi..."

Cress did do quite well yesterday, didn't she? "I'm proud of her." Narcia said honestly, knowing her sister was probably forcing herself more than just a little yesterday. She didn't even collapse in the end, there was no incident involving her, so hopefully they'd get to return to Ashia Palace and start work. After all, it'd be bad for them to remain on this 'vacation' for too long, especially so soon after a war. Xion and Itward were already on task, but the Queens needed to step in to authorize some of the more important missions they needed. "I should spend more time with her once we're back. We are sisters, after all." Nee still felt bad for neglecting Cress when she needed the support. Those months of loneliness and emptiness where she couldn't even blink or move.... and Nee didn't even visit once in that time period.

The bath was nice and warm but she didn't have time to prepare any special scents to enhance it. It was a little funny, actually. Nee never really cared about scents back in Sierra Nevada, baths weren't a time for relaxation like they were now. Back then, she had to rush and hurry when showering because Cress always told her not to waste water because she needed it for the plants. ...How was the garden doing, anyways? Was the family still maintaining it, even with Cress gone? Or was it too painful for them to think of their lost girls?

Maybe it was a silly sentiment, but there was something that came to mind that for some reason, really mattered to her. "Shi, about the... the wedding um...." There was a troubled little frown on her face and she smiled at her intended. "Would it be okay to try to find your parents and invite them? I... want them to see the amazing girl you became. And... I wanted to thank them for having you." Her cheeks went pink because something emotional like this was something Narcia used to ignore and devalue. She was always business first and foremost, but the ice was melting, revealing her soft interior. "O-only if you want, though. If you prefer, we don't have to find them." A sad, somewhat darker expression was on her face now. "...They did abandon you, after all." It was Shiro's decision, in the end.

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❝I don't care if I lose everything, so please.... come back...❞

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

|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||


Heron and Cress were there, and they saw it, they saw how embarrassing she was, how much of a useless child she was. Kora hated it, she didn't want anyone to see her like this. She was still stewing from the humiliation in the bathroom as she quickly got herself washed and dressed. It was a habit of hers to always conserve as much water as she could when bathing - it didn't come cheap in the Rubble Tier, after all. But she eventually let her shame go for the time being, her thoughts drifting back to a sister she wished above all could've grown up with her and been with her. Aya....

Even the mental Aya was fine. At least it was something, at least it filled the emptiness she felt. Twins were two halves of a whole, so Kora now was just one half, the other half gone to somewhere she couldn't follow. The girl curled up and shook her head, almost wanting someone to be able to change the past and make it so that Aya didn't die at all. Instead, maybe made it so that the sisters could have a mutual understanding. Then the lamb saw it - the tap. "...Bad girl..." The lamb muttered softly, pinching herself. "You're... Aya, aren't you? Stop pretending... to be Kora..."

The heat of the water was burning up her skin and it was becoming unbearable yet she stayed in anyways, skin turning pink and then red and it was getting hard to breathe again. She felt like she was being boiled alive yet Kora stayed in, eyes shut. This was how to bring Aya back, this was how to punish her for throwing the real one into the well in the first place. Yes, that was it, wasn't it? This excruciating burning pain. Breathing was becoming heavy, steam filled up the room, and the twin left behind felt strange, lightheaded, horribly dizzy as the sizzling water assaulted her body.

"What the hell!" Heron shouted. Kora... didn't think of that, didn't realize the steam would've floated out from under the door for the two to see. "What are you doing?" Heron shut the water off and pulled her out of the bath, Kora was panting and dazed and her eyes were unfocused, skin as bright red as when her Daddy did this to her months ago. The scarlet knight swore under her breath and wrapped a towel around her, pulling her out to the bedroom. "This idiot." Kora coughed weakly, shivering despite the heat. "Was.... tr-trying to... bring Aya.... back..." She was trying to explain. Abuse was meant to put her back in Aya mode, but why wasn't it working? "P-put me... back in..." Heron stared at her as if she was insane. "Cress, stay here with her, I'm gonna get Corren. Don't let her do anything stupid."

So Kora was placed on the newly made bed and Wren gave her a cool towel, her blue hair seeming vibrant for some reason. "I'm okay, see?" Kora tried to get up but it was difficult to really move. "I can... get Aya back... just a little more..."

Setting

Characters Present

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

0.00 INK

#, as written by The_Queen
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


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

|| Flaws || Bastille ||


As Wren changed the sheets, Cress noticed something. The room was growing warm, almost unbearingly so. "Heron," Cress said, gesturing towards the bathroom door. Kora was taking an awfully long time to clean herself up. There was a city to explore after all, all of Amythesia, beckoning to them, luring them towards the city-center that glowed with both nature and technology intertwined. It was wonderful and chaotic, a harmony that only the most impressive minds could have ever thought up. This was more than botany, more than anything Cress could do on her own. This was thousands of years of trial and error, evolution at its finest.

"I think... something's wrong." Cress's expression became dark. Heron had moved Cress to the bed that Wren had finished making since the wheelchair wasn't exactly comfortable. "I'm going in," Heron said, opening the bathroom door. Steam came out in blinding amounts, fogging up the windows that overlooked the city. Cress felt a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach as Heron jumped into the bathroom, taking far too long. Cress held her breath, breathing in relief when Heron stepped out with a Kora who was as red as a lobster. "Kora!" Cress yelled in alarm, Heron placed Kora on the bed, telling Cress to watch her as she went to get Corren and Maven. Cress nodded her head, knowing that there wasn't really anything she could do.

Heron went out, Wren went somewhere too, leaving Cress and Kora on their own. "You idiot," Cress was shaking. Kora tried to prove that she was okay, saying that she was trying to bring Aya back. "You could... have died!" Cress said, her hands gripping the towel Kora was wrapped in. "I can't... lose you... too!" She choked back a sob, trying to swallow the feeling that made her want to cry. She couldn't, not here, not in front of her friend. Cress had to be strong, "Don't do... that again." First Dad, then Ellie, next Aya. Now Kora was trying to leave too wasn't she? They were all going somewhere else, somewhere Cress would never get to go to.

It was selfish of her, Cress knew, but she didn't care. She didn't want to lose anyone else, not her family or her friends. "Please... don't... leave me." Heron came back with Corren and Maven. "Come on, let's let them work." Heron said, lifting Cress from the bed and placing her back in the wheelchair. "I want... to stay." Cress replied but Heron shook her head. "No, we need to give them space to work." Heron said stubbornly, sounding upset too. "Hey, I have an idea." Heron took Cress back to her room, placing Cress on the bed. "What are... we doing?" Cress asked, wondering if she should even ask.

Cress tried to fight and resist it, but Heron overpowered her easily, dressing Cress in a nurses costume that clung to her body. "Where do... you get... these things... from?" Cress asked, wondering why it fit perfectly. "Never mind... I don't... want to... know." Heron had that mischievous grin on her face, the one that Ashia's Fang was known for. "I figured it might cheer Kora up." So Heron put Cress back in the wheelchair, they had given Corren and Maven more than enough time to fix Kora up. "How is... she?" Cress asked as they went in.

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❝Yes Mistress.❞


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

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


Shiro thought that was a good idea, the two sisters spending time together. "I think that's a good idea, sisterly bonding time." Shiro said, but then had a second thought. What if Nee started spending time with Cress and had no time for them to be together? Shiro shook her head, no, she wasn't going to think like that. Nee wouldn't abandon her because they loved each other. Sisterly bonding time was something that would help Nee in the long run. Shiro could do other things during that time, or maybe go with Nee? Then Shiro had another thought. Did she have any siblings? Was that why her parents had gotten rid of her? Because they couldn't feed anymore mouths? Or perhaps it was in order to spare her of a life on the sanitary tier?

Once they were in the bath, Shiro allowed the water to wrap around her like a warm embrace. A hug of cleanliness so to speak, oh and bubbles. There were always plenty of bubbles in the tub no matter what they did. Bubble baths were the best! Shiro scrubbed herself, washing out her blonde hair and scrubbing her body with the tea leaf soap. It smelled nice, like apples and something spicy, maybe cinnamon? They had such different things in Coriandrum, even something as simple as soap. The use of nature was amazing, then again, Ashia Palace was pretty amazing as well. No other country utilized technology quite like them.

When Nee said her name, Shiro looked up. Nee sounded troubled and Shiro wondered what was wrong. Her heart stopped when Nee mentioned the wedding. Had she changed her mind? Did she not want to wed after all? Shiro should have known. She wasn't a good girl, not good enough for Nee. She was just a lowly maidservant, how could anyone ever love a dog? Shiro was quickly beginning to spiral, wondering what it was that she had done wrong when Nee brought up something else, her parents. So that was what this was about? Shiro's parents? Shiro didn't know them, she had no recollection of the two people who had abandoned her in the incinerator.

"I've always wondered," Shiro said quietly, looking down at her lap. "Who they were," was it worth trying to find them? Perhaps they had done it for a good reason? No parent abandoned their child for no reason, Shiro was sure. "I want to find them," the pup decided, because it was better to have closure, to know why they had done what they did. "I want to see them, at least once." Was that okay? Shiro looked up at Nee, wondering if such a thing was acceptable. "But how would we? I don't even know what their faces look like."

Setting

Characters Present

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

0.00 INK

#, as written by Ninja Bunny
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❝If I lose it too, then we will never survive.❞

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

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


Cress and Narcia were sisters and two of a kind. No matter what, because of their shared pasts and experiences, nothing would change that. Only they could understand each other in that way, in the way no one else really could. Tied together by fate, both bearing the load of this incredibly lonely destiny together. It'd be good to spend more time with her, to help ease the pain of losing Ellen. Nee tried not to notice it, but she knew Cress missed her cousin - missed the person she was when she was on Earth. That person was gone now, faded away after she was abducted. It was as if Ellen had broken and given up on the world, leaving Narcia behind to pick up the pieces.

She then gently took Shiro's ringed hand in hers and placed it on her precious locket. "But that doesn't mean we'll spend any less time together." Shiro was the type to overthink things and lose herself in anxiety and Nee didn't want her to misunderstand anything. "Because Cress is your sister too! I want you two to become good friends too, Shi." So in the bath, she gave Shiro a kiss and then started soaping herself with the spare, enjoying the smells that came with it.

It was natural for Shi to feel a bit... unsure about her parents. After all, they abandoned her and left her to die. But even though she wanted to be angered about that, Narcia knew that it was unfair to really judge since there was no way to know why it happened. She needed to keep a cool, rational head and not let her emotions get the better of her. "It shouldn't be too difficult." The ice girl said simply, giving Shiro a smile. She deserved to know the truth, definitely. "Your DNA should be in the database. As long as I can cross reference it with known married couples in the Rubble Tier at the time of your birth, I should be able to find them." It would be simple, despite how important it was.

Once they were done with the bath, it was time to meet up with the others to figure out what the plan was. Was Cress ready for travel, would she be able to withstand the trip back? Or would they need to spend extra time in Coriandrum and Amethysia? Nee was anxious to get to work - they could only relax for so long before repercussions, after all. But before the two Queens could get to Cress's room, they were interrupted by Queen Riana, who gave them both small smiles. The lonely Queen came to greet them, so they exchanged pleasantries, Nee thanking her for her hospitality and Riana saying she hoped they were enjoying their stay. Simple things, nothing of substance.

"This isn't an official meeting, no need to look so tense." Riana said, and it was clear she wasn't getting as much sleep as she should have. It was clear what she wanted to talk about. "Una Malachite. Is there a plan for her? I can suggest leaving her here under my care. The child... doesn't have a family, and our medicine is superior to what you have available, Queen Narcia." While all that was true, Nee still felt a little unsure. She didn't trust Riana would act wholly in Una's best interest, after all. "I was thinking bringing her back with us." Nee said, holding her ground. "But it's true a maternal figure would be good for her, to help her adapt." Both she and Riana seemed curious as to what Shi thought about this. It needed to be settled somehow, at least. She squeezed Shiro's hand to let her know it's fine to speak her mind with no reservation.

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❝I don't care if I lose everything, so please.... come back...❞

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

|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||


Kora felt herself spinning for some reason even though she knew cognitively that she was just lying on the bed, unmoving or anything else. Cress was there, Heron was already gone, and Kora did her best grin, she didn't want Cress to worry or anything. The lamb had suffered much worse than this, she could handle it. "...I'm okay. I can... I had worse." If it'd bring Aya back, Kora could do this and more. She needed to, she needed to bring Aya back, even if it was just fake, even if it was just in her head. Aya deserved to be able to live too. Sure, she was twisted, but Kora was as well! They were both demented people, so why did Kora get to live and Aya had to die?

"Please don't... worry, Cress." She fought past the pain and tenderness and how painful it was for the towel to chafe against her red and raw skin. "You misss her, right? Aya? Well... I can... get her. I'll bring her back. It's fine." She needed more abuse, more punishment, maybe someone to beat her and yell at her. Would that help? Would that give back everyone's beloved sweet nurse of gentleness? It had to, it definitely had to. She wouldn't just accept this sort of sad ending. She wouldn't accept her precious twin sister's death. She tried to wriggle out of the towel, to get back to the hot water. "If... it was... .Nee... you'd do the... same..."

Unfortunately their talk was cut short by Corren and Maven, Corren was chastising her for taking unnecessary risk and harming herself, Maven was cooling her down and already putting ointment on the skin, Heron and Cress vanished someplace and Kora found herself moved on a stretcher to the med room, where Una lay in her possibly eternal slumber. "Punish me." The angry lamb murmured quietly to Corren, wanting to be stricken, to be yelled at. She needed to be abused in order to bring Aya back, right?

When Heron and Cress came back - Cress in some nurse outfit thing that made her look nice and Kora felt shame in her cheeks again - Corren spoke to them. The lamb was already floating in and out of consciousness as the ointment did its work on her skin but she caught the gist of it, saying that Kora was safe, but they needed to watch over her to prevent this from happening again, and that therapy might be in order to help her process Aya's death. Kora shook her head. "Aya's... I can bring her back. Please let me bring her back." Kora was determined. She wouldn't let this story have a sad ending like that.

Heron felt pain as she watched the idiotic lamb's desperation, her denial of Aya's death. It reminded her too much of Nio and how many times she desperately wanted to find a way to change the past, to go back and fix things so that Nio didn't have to die. The pain would always be there even if she distracted herself, but seeing Kora like this made it feel even sharper, even worse than usual. So maybe she was speaking to herself when she grabbed Kora by the shoulder, earning a hiss of pain from the girl. "She's gone!" Heron growled, and she didn't know if she meant Aya or Nio. "And she's never coming back! So stop thinking about the past, stop being an idiot and focus on the future, you stupid lamb!"

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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#, as written by The_Queen
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


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

|| Flaws || Bastille ||


They went downstairs, to the floor where Cress had, had her procedure done. The two were mostly quiet, worried for their friend who was having mental deterioration over the loss of one of her personalities. Sure, Aya was a figment induced by trauma, but to Cress and Heron, Aya had been very real. She was a friend, a nurse, beloved to all. Kora was too, although she was a bit rough sometimes and couldn't always properly express her emotions, Kora was their friend. If anything happened to her, Cress would never forgive herself. She had already lost enough, there was no need to lose Kora too. Kora was the real one, Cress continued to remind herself. She couldn't stop thinking of that day though, where Aya had cried because she didn't want to hurt anyone, because she didn't want to be erased and knew that in the end, Kora would win since she was really who the body belonged to.

"I don't... want to... lose her." Cress said quietly as they rode in the elevator. Corren had typed in the password for them to come down to the secret level in Amethysia's palace. "I don't either," Heron admitted. "Sure she's a pain, but she's our friend." There was something else that Heron wasn't saying that Cress wasn't aware of, that Kora was also her rival and toughest competitor. How Cress was not aware of this yet was amazing in itself. When the elevator doors slid open to reveal the laboratory, Cress held her breath. It smelled like a hospital down there and it reminded Cress of her first car accident, the one she had lost her father in. The confusion and sadness after waking up from a coma, it was all there and it made Cress tense.

"You okay?" Heron asked as she wheeled Cress forward. "Fine," Cress lied, a faint chill running down her spine. It was colder down here, where the sun didn't reach them, where plants were replaced by tech and science and unnatural things that Cress didn't quite care for. "She's over here," Maven waved them down and Heron pushed the wheelchair forward, Cress sitting stiffly from the bad memories that had flooded her mind. Maven and Corren had put Kora in the same room as Princess Una, who was still sound asleep in her glass prison. "Kora," Cress breathed upon seeing her friend all wrapped up in bandages.

Corren explained her condition, saying that they were just topical burns. They could have been much worse, but thank to Heron's fast action, they were mere surface wounds that would be better very soon. "I'm glad," Heron had placed Kora's hand gently in Cress's own so that Cress could hold it. "Kora you... dummy." Cress said as Kora begged to bring Aya back. "I thought... you were... going to... live for... you both." Cress wanted Kora to stop this, to just be herself again. She wanted her friend back, the real Kora, the one that yelled at Heron for being a pervert, who tried to protect Cress even though she knew that the redhead was stronger, the one who blushes at the idea of being called cute.

Heron was the one who slapped sense into Kora, telling her that she was gone, that she wasn't going to come back no matter how much she wanted it. That's right, once the dead were gone, they never came back. Cress could attest to that; sometimes they came to you in dreams, they watched over you from the sky, but they never walked among the living again. "Heron." Cress warned, "You don't... need to... yell. Kora is... still recovering." Secretly though Cress was glad that Heron was trying to make Kora realize the truth. Perhaps therapy would be the best thing for their friend.

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❝Yes Mistress.❞


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

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


Shiro breathed a sigh of relief when Nee said that she wouldn't be spending any less time with her. That's right, their marriage meant that Cress would be her sister too. Which made Shiro Cress's little sister, so they would all be spending plenty of time together. "I hope so," Shiro couldn't help but wonder if Cress blamed her for Ellie's disappearance. It happened around the same time, when Shiro was hurt by the Queen, Ellie disappeared and Nee took over. It could have been for an entirely different reason, but the pup wasn't exactly known for her rational train of thought. "It's a little scary to think about having a big sister." Nee was Cress's big sister and once they were married, Cress would be Shiro's big-sister-in-law.

Shiro had never had any family before, but now, she was going to have a big one. Her entire life Narina had reminded Shiro that no one had wanted her, that she had been discarded like literal trash and hadn't been wanted nor needed. She had reminded Shiro to be grateful that she had taken her in, that Shiro wasn't just another failed science experiment or casualty of the sanitary disease. Now though, Shiro would have a family, she had someone that loved her, and she was much more than the servant Narina had intended her to be. Shiro had managed to break out of those bonds and now... her heart fluttered as she thought about marrying Nee.

Nee explained that it wouldn't be too difficult, that she just had to use her DNA to do something complicated that Shiro didn't understand. "I'm sorry," Shiro shook her head, "I don't really get it." Nee was smart, so maybe this was something that only Nee thought would be easy. "But I'll support you in anyways I can," to find the closure she had thought about for years... It was another thing that was a little bit scary. "I'm afraid," Shiro imagined, "I built up all of these expectations." Shiro hugged the warm towel around her. "What if they're not what I think?" Shiro said, shaking a little bit. "What if they really don't want me?"

Once they were dressed, it was time to meet with Corren to discuss when they could go back home. Instead though, Queen Riana entered their room in all of her glory, a sad sort of expression on her face. Riana wanted to keep Una here, Nee thought it would be best to bring her back to Ashia Palace. Shiro listened to both of their points when suddenly, they turned towards her, wanting to know what Shiro thought. What did Shiro think? Well there were a lot of good points brought up. What if Queen Riana simply wanted to use Una for her own agenda? She didn't seem like the type though. "I think we should let Una decide." Shiro replied, "She would have a better chance at a cure here, but once she wakes up, Una should be able to decide who she wants to stay with until she can inherit the throne."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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#, as written by Ninja Bunny
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❝If I lose it too, then we will never survive.❞

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

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


Narcia chuckled a little as she ran her hands through Shiro's silky golden hair, enjoying the texture and feel of each strand. "Cress makes for a great big sister." She really did, didn't she? Even with the truth come to light, Nee didn't really feel like the older sister. Cress definitely had that aura about her, even if it was most likely biased, it was still the truth. Cress just felt better, more natural, being thought of as the older sister rather than the younger. And a small selfish part of Nee hoped Cress still thought of her as the little sister. "She'll have lots of fun with you, Shi."

It felt nice, calling her Shi. It was like... it made her heart feel fluttery and warm and she didn't know how to express it at all. It wasn't really much of a surprise that her intended didn't really understand, but Nee smiled serenely at her. "Don't apologize. Tech isn't for everyone." She said kindly, passing over the more technical details of her plan to find Shiro's family. DNA compatability searches and the like, there was no need for Shi to understand. Her area of expertise was understanding people's hearts, rather than technology, and for a Queen, Shiro's skill was much more valuable.

When Shiro expressed her fears and doubts, Narcia pulled her in for a close, tight hug, trying to stop the shaking with her own body warmth. "It's okay. Whatever happens, no matter what kinds of people they are, I'll be with you to support you. So don't be afraid." What kinds of people were they? Nee didn't really know - there was no way to know until meeting them. Maybe they had a perfectly valid reason, or maybe they never deserved to be parents in the first place. Whatever the answer was, Nee was prepared to support Shiro when they figured it out. "We're a team, remember?'

Queen Riana's proposal was definitely one to be cautious about. She didn't trust Riana to not manipulate Una into wanting to stay, even if Shiro wanted to leave the choice to her. Riana was going to get the advantage the moment Una woke, since she would be the first face Una saw upon waking up. But then again, Narcia wasn't entirely confident her own medicine would be able to save Una. And no matter how cruel it was to thrust responsibility onto her shoulders, Tartaria needed Una if it wanted to remain stable. Without her taking the throne once she could, Tartaria would definitely descend into lawlessness and banditry. That wasn't acceptable.

"She should decide." Narcia said evenly, conceding to Shiro, and Riana paused, then nodded after a moment to think it over. It was, after all, Una's own life to decide. "I'll have my best doctors work on waking the child up, then. It was nice speaking to you both, Ashian Queens." Nee hoped she just imagined the sudden formal tone that was different from her earlier voice of warmth. Nee hugged Shiro then and it was time to go and find Corren to discuss homecoming plans.

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❝I don't care if I lose everything, so please.... come back...❞

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

|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||


When Corren was done updating them on her condition, the lamb was agitated. She had enough of just lying down already. She could still take more pain, she could handle a lot worse than just this. She was strong, she just had to endure. If she could hurt enough, if she could suffer enough, then Aya would come back to rescue her, wouldn't she? Aya wanted to badly to be real - wasn't this her chance to finally achieve that? So why? Why wasn't she coming back? Why didn't she love her enough to return? Kora felt empty without her second half, Kora felt lost and scared and alone without Aya in her head with her, accompanying her every step of the way.

Cress was holding her hand and talking to her, telling her she was a dummy but Kora wanted to bite and shout. Did no one understand at all? Did none of them care that she had a chance to bring Aya back to them, to make life fun as before? "It's not right." Kora muttered - already her skin wasn't so sensitive and tender, the ointment and bandages were doing their work to bring her back to functional speed. "She wanted... to live.... remember? Aya... wanted to be real...."

Heron slapped her and was yelling at her then, and there was a lot of pain in the redhead's eyes that the lamb didn't know what to do with. She couldn't think of anything to say and just cried when Heron shouted, telling her that it was impossible, that Aya was never ever coming back and it hurt to hear it, it was painful because Kora knew it was her fault. Her own hands robbed Aya of the chance to live, her hands stole Aya's future and happiness away, the moment she pushed her into the well, both their destinies changed. Instead of happy lives as sisters, they were forever torn apart, never to see each other again.

Kora didn't even know who she was mourning anymore. Was she crying for her real dead sister, the one she killed? Or was she crying for the Aya in her head that helped her through these painful years of sadness and misery? Maybe it was both, it was almost definitely both. "I don't want it." Kora whimpered, her breathing was getting difficult again as she choked on her own tears. "We were... sisters! But reality.... didn't let us.... have a... a live together, as sisters." She shook her head, tears brimming. "I won't... accept it. She's... I can still save her. Please...."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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#, as written by The_Queen
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


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

|| Flaws || Bastille ||


Aya wanted to live, Cress remembered all too well. She remembered the tears, Aya clinging to her in bed, saying that Kora would win, that she was afraid of dying, even if she knew that Kora was the real one. "Don't you... think I... miss her... too?" It was selfish, but Cress didn't care. "You're not... the only... one who... lost her." Cress and Aya had been partners in crime, best friends, team mates. Now... all that was left was Cress. Her shoulders shook as she remembered how scared Aya had been, how Cress assured her that she wouldn't die. Liar. Even though Cress was trying her hardest, she felt tears roll down her cheeks. "Kora," Heron said, hands balled into fists. "I won't ever forgive you for making a cute girl cry!"

It was so ridiculous that Cress couldn't help but laugh. She squeezed Kora's hand in her own, hoping that maybe the words had sparked the person Kora really was. Cress blinked back the tears, feeling the droplets fall between her fingers. "Sometimes loving... means let's... them go." Because in the end, that was all they could do. When you lost someone to the world, you had to let them be. "Sure it's... painful sometimes... but over... time that... pain will... fade." Her tears were drying, even though Cress had promised herself that she wouldn't cry, it had happened. Heron leaned down to wipe away Cress's tears with a handkerchief.

Kora didn't want to accept it though, she was still pleading to let them save her. "She's dead!" Cress suddenly yelled. "She's dead! She's gone! She's not... coming back!" Her hand squeezed Kora's, her grip weak. "Please let... Aya rest." Cress looked down at her lap, "Let Aya... be at... peace." It was ironic wasn't it? Through this all, Cress had gained a sister, a twin, but Kora had lost her's. Fate was cruel and ugly, but they had to keep living, because they were strong. It could also be that Cress was simply afraid of death, of diving into the unknown. She had faced it head on so many times and yet Cress feared its finality. Once you were dead there was no coming back, unless, apparently, you were Cress who should have been dead long ago.

Maybe it was because of this that Cress only caused those around her anguish? Those she considered close suffered terrible losses. Her family had lost her father, Nee had lost their parents, Heron and Itward lot Nio, and now Kora had lost Aya. Maybe for every time Cress escaped death, it claimed another as compensation? Her father during the first car accident, her birth father after the second. Nio when Cress had been stabbed through the chest and now Aya, poor, innocent Aya who had never been real in the first place. One might argue that it was time for Aya to leave, that she had found peace and let Kora had full reign of her body. Another may say that Aya had never belonged and was against the way of the natural world.

"So please... stop this... madness." Cress begged, hoping she had gotten through to her friend. "Please Kora... come back... to us." Cress needed her friend back. Over coming Refure would mean nothing if Kora lost to herself. "Be the... girl Aya... wants you... to be." She said gently, looking up at Kora. "Be my... friend again."

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❝Yes Mistress.❞


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

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


Nee hugged her, assuring Shiro that no matter what happened it would be okay. In Nee's arms, Shiro could relax, the shaking lessened and the world didn't seem quite as scary with someone to explore it beside her. "Yeah," Shiro repeated, "a team." Her cheeks flushed a slight pink at how their bodies fit together so perfectly like this, the curvature matching one another. Puzzle pieces that fit together, that's what the two of them were. Shiro hoped that the others could find love like this too. Heck, the pup wanted all of Ashia to have some sort of love! She especially wanted them to love Nee as much as Shiro loved her, to accept Nee as their ruler and give her a chance to show them how great she was.

"Together we can do anything," Shiro said with a smile. When it was time to get dressed, Shiro retied the ribbon with her pacifier around her neck, the familiar weight a comfort. When they spoke with Queen Riana, Shiro held Ellis in one hand and her fingers entwined with Nee in the other. After Shiro had brought up her point, that it should be up to Una to decide, the two queens seemed to deliberate. Shiro waited nervously, wondering what they thought of the idea. Nee echoed Shiro's thoughts then, agreeing that it should be up to Tartaria's future queen to decide her fate. Was it Shiro's imagination, or was there relief in Queen Riana's eyes? Perhaps she really had been lonely? Maybe raising a child would give her a chance to have the experience of being a mother.

Would Shiro and Nee have a child? Shiro wondered. They had to leave an heir... Unless Cress ended up with a child, then they could inherit everything. When Queen Riana left, Shiro thought that maybe it would be good for the woman to have something to focus on instead of the empty nest. Nee knelt down to hug her and Shiro returned the embrace, closing her eyes as they hugged. Shiro was a good girl, she had given the right answer again. When it was time to break apart the hug, Shiro held Nee's hand, the two of them going to speak with Corren about returning home. Shiro's mind was still on the task of a child though. No doubt Nee wouldn't want to carry one, given what had happened to her, which left the task up to Shiro.

The pup tried to think back, wondering if the sanitary illness and the treatment for it made her infertile. Shiro didn't actually know how children were made, the science department was something that the pup was severely lacking in. Shiro did remember, however, the doctor saying that due to Narina's request of keeping her small, her body hadn't fully returned. Would that make carrying her's and Nee's love child impossible? Shiro placed a hand on her stomach. Her body was too small too, she would never survive giving birth, not that the pup was aware of this.

"I hope we get to go home," Shiro mused aloud, squeezing Nee's hand when they stepped into the elevator. Thankfully, they were not going down to the basement levels, but meeting in a small, private room on the main level. Corren was waiting there with Maven, a few reports up on the holo. "So can we go?" Shiro asked, taking a seat beside Nee. "First matter of business," Corren produced the pen needle, injecting it quickly into Shiro's shoulder. Shiro yelped and clung to Nee, hugging Ellis tightly. No, she was a bad girl, after everything, she was a bad girl in the end. Shiro put her pacifier in her mouth. There was going to be punishment wan't there? That's why Corren had one this, to put her out of commission.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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#, as written by Ninja Bunny
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❝If I lose it too, then we will never survive.❞

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

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


The hugging made the shaking stop, made Shi's fear of her parents and her expectations temporarily abate, and Nee was thankful for that. She didn't want Shiro to have to ever feel things like fear or sadness again. Still, something like this, meeting the parents that abandoned you... the ice girl wasn't sure how this would go about for the actual meeting. It was going to have to happen, definitely, but that didn't mean it wasn't going to be emotional. "We'll have each other's backs." Narcia whispered, meaning it and knowing Shi would do the same for her if need be. Their bodies fit together like tow pieces of a puzzle, as if they truly were meant for each other, not just in an emotional sense but also a physical one as well.

The talk with Riana did bring up one problem, however, and it was one that didn't have a necessarily easy solution. For now they wouldn't have to worry about it, but eventually, they were going to need an heir to take the throne - unless she got rid of the monarchy system and had a vote-based system to decide the next ruler. Honestly, both had their appeals, and it was too soon to tell which one was better than the other. But if they did decide to keep the monarchal system, she'd need an heir. Cress most likely wouldn't be having children, and she really didn't ever want to bear a child. Sure, with gene modding of the eggs, it was possible to mix eggs together and fertilize it - but Shi was incredibly small, and Nee was adverse to ever bearing.

So, adoption would have to be the method of use, wouldn't it? But before she could think more about it, they arrived at a small room where Corren and Maven were waiting. The first thing of concern was Shi and her injection, so Corren gave it to her and the girl was clinging so Narcia gently held her and stroked her arm. "Shh, you're a good girl, it'll be okay, it's just to keep you healthy so you can stay with me." Nee soothed, not wanting her intended to feel like this. It was better than the vest, but still, a cure would be the best case scenario.

"I arranged for us to return to Ashia this afternoon, so there's still a few hours to explore and enjoy Amethysia at your leisure, Narcia." Corren said in his usual matter-of-fact manner, almost devoid of emotions, and that was a relief. He was indirectly saying that Cress was strong enough for the flight back. "Alright." Nee said, slightly excited to come back But then Corren cleared his throat. "However, Kora's in a bad state, mentally. With your approval, I could have her sedated for the flight." Maven brought up a screen - Cress crying at Kora, who kept muttering about wanting to bring Aya back, wrapped up in bandages. What skin was visible was a frightening pink hue. There seemed to be more concern than the average doctor's feelings, though. "She's inconsolable."

And that was when Narcia realized two things. One - Corren probably had feelings for Kora in a romantic sense. And two, considering how Maven's eyes very slightly narrowed, Maven was probably attracted to Corren in return. "Only if necessary." Narcia said quietly, shaking her head. "I want her in working order to keep Cress protected as quickly as possible, Corren." So the doctor nodded and made the notes on his tablet. With that settled, they had free time until it was time to return to Ashia.

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❝I don't care if I lose everything, so please.... come back...❞

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

|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||


Everyone missed Aya, and who wouldn't? Aya was the kind of girl Kora could never become, no matter how hard she tried. Sure, people could laud Kora as fearless and brave as much as you wanted, but that didn't make it true. Aya had a lot more inner strength than the angry wolf could ever hope for. Kora was prickly for a reason - she was fragile and delicate under all the anger and rage, but Aya never needed a shield to protect her. She was stronger, she was much more than Kora and so it was normal to miss her. Cress did too. Heron did as well. Heron, in fact, said something that almost made the angry wolf want to laugh.

Loving means letting them go sometimes, right? That's what Cress was saying but Kora still shook her head, still wanted to get out of the bed. This wasn't just about how bad she felt for her twin sister, this was also about her own peace of mind! This emptiness in her head was terrible and made everything worse, didn't it? She's dead. She's not coming back. No matter how much she wanted, no matter how much she cried, there was no undoing the mistake she made. Kora would forever be haunted by what she did, that day at the well. But Cress was pleading for them to still be friends. Of course they were, right? "Always.... be friends." The wolf agreed, wondering why Cress thought anything else might happen.

"...I... wonder what'll happen in the future..." Kora muttered, shivering even though she didn't feel cold at all. There were so many possibilities, weren't there? So many things that could come true. "...Maybe we'll have world peace..." Kora's voice was faint and quiet, almost unheard if you weren't listening carefully. "Or maybe Riana will war later? Or... maybe Tartarians assassinate Nee, or maybe Nee's secretly planning to send you to Earth alone..." All these possible futures, and they all had something in common. "...Aya's not in any of them.... she'll never... have a future. She'll never get to... grow up."

And then Kora forced a smile. This was her chance, wasn't it? Corren and Maven left to meet with Nee, and Cress couldn't do much on her own. "...It's the same... for Nio, isn't it? Nio's... future was stolen.... by you, Heron." What happened next was swift and painful - Heron grabbed her, pouncing on her, nails pinching into the tender skin on her shoulder. "Don't! Shut up, just stop talking." Heron looked like she was in agony, it was so easy to stab at her soft spots that the knight tried so hard to cover up. "I -" But then Heron glanced at Cress and got off, brushing her hair with her fingers. "Tch, I won't be that easy. I'm ... not gonna beat you up, so don't... even try it." Kora let out a weak, sad laugh, because she knew she almost had it. If she could be abused a little more.... "It was worth... a shot..."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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#, as written by The_Queen
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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 wasn't working, Kora didn't seem too convinced that Aya would be able to rest in peace.
"She isn't... real." It was cruel, but what Kora needed was a slap in the reality. "Aya was... never real!" Cress shook her head, feeling terrible pain in her chest. "You are... Aya." Cress tried to explain, "Aya is... you." She attempted to stay calm, but Cress's heart was racing. "You were... always Aya... and Kora." That's right, Aya was just who Kora came up with in order to protect herself. "All along... you were.... always both." Cress felt dizzy, this was taking a lot of energy. Her eyelids fluttered and she shook her head, trying to stay upright and focused.

"She lives... in you." Cress held Kora's hand tightly. "So long... as you... believe." Corren came into the room then, clear concern in his eyes. "Heron, I'm going to have to ask you to take the patient out now. Stress is no good for her condition," he looked down at Kora. "No!" Cress held onto Kora's hand, her grip weak. "She needs... her friends!" Corren sighed, shaking his head. "What can you do in this condition?" It was a low blow, directly to her heart. He was right, like this, Cress was too weak to do much of anything. She was useless, unable to even speak in full sentences without struggling for air between each breath. She would get stronger over the week, but for now, there was nothing Cress could do.

"Please fix... my friend." Cress said as Heron forced her away. "I can't... lose her... too." Corren placed a hand on her shoulder, sincerity in his eyes. "Heron, please take Cress out. The flight to return home will be leaving this afternoon."[/color] Heron took the handles of the wheelchair, her rage still apparent. "Knock some sense into this idiot." Heron grumbled, taking Cress away, back to the elevator. "Do you... think he'll... help her?" Cress asked. Heron was silent, pushing the button over and over in frustration until the elevator finally arrived, the doors sliding open. "Let's explore the city," Heron said instead, avoiding the topic. No doubt she was thinking about what Kora had said, about Nio never getting to grow up.

"Heron," Cress started. "Nio's death... was not... your fault." Well, it was, but Cress wasn't going to tell her that. Nio had made her decision that day, when she bolted between the two swords. If Heron had stayed by her side, perhaps this wouldn't have happened. If Heron hadn't crossed swords with her brother, maybe Nio would still be alive today. In the end though, Nio's death was what paired the Cherubim relationship. The girl sacrificed everything for her family, but without her, the two siblings would never know happiness. "Nio is... with Aine." Cress said gently, reminding Heron that her little sister was in a much better place. "She's watching... over you." Heron suddenly punched the elevator wall, causing Cress to jump in alarm. Heron grabbed hold of the wheelchair before it could topple over, but Cress wasn't strapped in and so she fell to the ground.

"Shit, I'm sorry." Heron knelt down, lifting Cress back up. "I did bad things to good people." Heron slid down to the floor. "I killed so many in the name of the Queen and then... I hurt you and Kora and Nee and.... Nio." The doors opened, but Heron didn't move to go out. "So many good people, dead at my hands."

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❝Yes Mistress.❞


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

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


That's right, this shot wasn't punishment, it was to keep her healthy. Even with Nee's words though, it was hard to think differently. Her mind was trained to react badly towards pain, even if the tiny pinch was only for a few seconds. Nee being there helped, if not, Shiro would have begun to spiral. She put her pacifier in her mouth and clung to Nee, holding Ellis with her other hand. This was better, Shiro thought, at least it wasn't the vest. The vest was scary and loud and made it hard to breathe. The shot was only once a day and it was quick and mostly painless if Shiro didn't tense up. Shiro whimpered as Maven put a band aid on it, the spot was sensitive and it was next to one of the love marks Nee had left on her body. She didn't want anyone else to see Nee's claims of ownership.

When it was time to speak about going home, Corren said that they could take the Agneystra home that afternoon. Shiro was relieved, while she liked exploring Coriandrum with Nee, they needed to get back home. The war had just ended and there were plenty of things for the two queens to do, including plan their wedding. The thought made Shiro happy and she smiled at the floor as the others spoke, touching the ring gently. Yes, she was all Nee's and no one else's, not Narina's, not her parents. Shiro looked up when Corren mentioned Kora's state and showed them the video. Cress was clearly trying to hold back tears, holding onto Kora's hand who was as pink as a pansy. "Oh no," Shiro gasped, her pacifier falling out of her mouth.

Nee ordered Kora to be fixed so that she could escort Cress, no doubt on her mission to Tartaria. "The love triangle is going to fall apart." Shiro said after the door closed, Corren and Maven having gone off to fix Kora. It was a bit silly to worry about such thing, but Shiro was rooting for Kora and Heron. "Heron is going have the upper hand." Shiro clutched Nee's hand, glad that she didn't have to fight for someone to win Nee's heart. If Shiro had, then surely she would have been the one to lose. Thankfully, Nee loved her regardless, Shiro would never have to worry about fighting over Nee's hand.

"Should we go exploring since we have a few hours?" Shiro asked, holding Ellis tight. "You can try the fairy floss!" In the city of Amethysia, they had amazing confections that Shiro had never seen the likes of. The spun sugar was one of them, a treat that Wren had introduced her to. No doubt Shiro would have never gotten to try anything so delectable if Narina was still alive. Narina had never allowed Shiro any sweets since she hadn't believed Shiro to be a good girl. They were a rare reward, unlike with Nee who let Shiro eat all the sweets she wanted. "Um, I mean, only if you want to." Shiro wasn't sure why, but she suddenly felt very shy.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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#, as written by Ninja Bunny
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❝If I lose it too, then we will never survive.❞

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

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


Narcia watched the screen, feeling a strange sense of disquiet emanating from inside of her. Cress was clearly upset and trying her best to fight the tears while Kora.... looked as if she was in the throes of some sort of mental distress, most likely relating to the loss of Aya. Just yesterday it seemed like things were going to be happier between the two but now Nee wasn't so sure. She wanted to comfort her sister, to meet up with her, but she also knew Heron would be able to handle it, wouldn't she? Shiro's comment once Corren and Maven left was definitely an intriguing one. "I don't know if love is on any of their minds right now." The Ice Queen admitted softly. "...Whatever happens, I hope they end up happy." Then she brightened up because Shi was with her, being her adorable self. "Happy like we are, right?"

There was only a few hours left before they had to board the Agneyestra and return to Ashia Palace and get back to work already. Shiro looked almost excited as she asked about what they should do with the rest of their free time. "Sure, fairy floss sounds delectable." Nee said pleasantly, taking Shi by the hand. Shi was way too cute, and Narcia wanted to enjoy time with her and make good memories before it was time to get back to work and deal with the many problems still plaguing Ashia Palace. - one problem being that they still weren't wedded yet, of course!

It didn't take long for them to exit the palace in Amethysia, heading to the main city centers where the bulk of the population was.. Staying away from the residential areas, they were in the city square, in the middle of the busy streets and large business-type buildings. Yet despite the tech, nature was still intertwined with everything as well, a strange yet mystical mix of forest and concrete. There was several booths with various assortments of treats, one of which being fairy floss. Nee scanned her money chip and ordered some for both her and Sh, handing it to her.

"It's good." Narcia took some into her mouth and let it dissolve. It felt almost like cotton candy on Earth yet different somehow at the same time. Sugary clouds of softness and sweetness, you could say. "I should import a booth like this to Ashia one day. A good chef would be able to replicate this..." There was one girl's name who really would make the best fairy floss. Unfortunately, she died and wouldn't be able to make more. And, of course, thinking of her lead to thinking of her old best friend, Aine, and Nee sighed, feeling nostalgic, wishing they were both around to enjoy this peace.

She tightened her grip on her intended's wrist. "...We're going to be happy, aren't we, Shiro?" Her voice sounded sad and vulnerable yet slightly hopeful at the same time. "We have to be happy... for those we couldn't save, right?" Too many lives were lost, but they couldn't let it go to waste by being sad. They had to put on smiles and enjoy peace for them, wouldn't they?

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❝I don't care if I lose everything, so please.... come back...❞

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

|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||


"She was." Kora muttered, feeling angrier now. "She was real! Aya - she wanted so - she had to be real!" The angyr wolf tried to shake her head, wanted Cress to listen to her, to understand. If at least one person could understand, then maybe it'd be for the better. "...She was real. I know it." Her real sister was real, the one she pushed into the well. And the Aya that was born from Daddy's punishments, that one was real too, right? It - Kora couldn't accept it any other way. She didn't want it to be any other way but for them both to be real.

Even if Cress said she lived in her, it wasn't good enough. Kora wanted to share the body with her. They were twins after all, so why not share a body? Twins were meant to share everything together, twins were meant to be happy together, so they had to. She had to come back. "I... have to believe she's real..." The lamb whimpered, hating the tears in her voice, but then Cress was gone, Heron was gone, they were ushered out. Kora then went quiet as Corren expressed his own concerns for her, saying that she wasn't thinking clearly, that she was going to need therapy.

"I don't... want therapy!" Kora growled but she was strapped to the bed and given a drug to calm her down. Corren said he'd be back to talk, to help her, but the lamb wanted to go back to the tub, wanted to keep hurting herself in order to bring Aya back. But then she was left alone in the room - Corren had to go work on Una after all, one last ditch effort to try and wake her up before they had to leave. But then someone else stepped into the room, someone Kora didn't recognize, holding a tablet. The person looked at her and pressed a button and someone Kora didn't ever expect to see again came on.

The old queen, Narina, very much alive. "Oh, Korhya, you don't look so well." That smile, full of razors and ice. How was she alive? Was Narcia on the right track the entire time, then? And who was this strange person, face and everything obscured by robes? "I would wish you well, but there isn't much time. We need to talk. About Ayanna." Kora felt her heart rate pick up, her ears pricked and ready to listen. "Go on." She muttered. Kora knew she shouldn't be thinking this, shouldn't be talking to her, but for some reason Narina had an air about her that forced obedience.

"As you can see, I'm alive." Narina said in that voice Kora hated, reminding her of when she lost her legs in the first place. "I need allies, of course. So I thought, why not have a partnership with you?" There was a crackling noise - the cameras and everything else in the room was being disabled. No one was able to monitor and overhear this now. "If you still have your sister's chip, there's a way to bring her back. The real Ayanna. The one you killed all those years ago."

a way to bring her back. That sounded impossible but yet - Narina was here, somehow still alive. So maybe it wasn't as impossible as it seemed. Kora reached into her pocket. The last keepsake of her real twin sister, the chip, was still safely kept there. "You'll bring her back? You promise?" And Narina smiled thinly. "Why, of course. Once you're back in Ashia Palace..." Kora nodded, memorizing the instructions. Even if it was betrayal, if it'd bring back her sister, if it'd give Aya the chance to live again, Kora had no choice but to accept.

Then someone opened the door. Corren, eyes wide. "Who-" The screen shut off and the figure lunged at the doctor, knocking him back, and escaped, vanishing completely. Corren called for a pursuit immediately and went to Kora's side, checking her. "What happened? Who was it?" Kora shivered, feeling cold and weak. "...Tartarian... assassin..." She lied, wondering if she was making the right choice. "Tried... to kill.... me..." Even if it meant turning away from everyone, she wouldn't just turn her back on the chance to fix the one mistake she always wished she could undo.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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#, as written by The_Queen
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


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

|| Flaws || Bastille ||


Heron had gathered her strength, taking the handles of the wheelchair and pushing Cress out. "There's only a few hours left, let's enjoy the city while we can." Cress nodded her head since it was easier than speaking, wondering what the city had waiting for them. Cress hadn't exactly been at her most conscious when they had arrived in the Agnyestra, she had been in a daze after what Semyon did and had been busily thinking about the so called 'cure' Corren and Shiro mentioned. Cress looked at her hands, how powerless and thin they were. That was no good, how was she going to dig up the soil? Plant the beautiful flowers to make Ashia Palace and eventually Tartaria a better place?

"I'm worried," Cress admitted as they went down the ramp. "I am too," Heron replied, although it wasn't clear whether or not they were worried about the same thing. "I hope... Kora will... be okay." Cress looked up at the sky, the beautiful vivid blue. She was still wearing the nurses costume, only with a light sweater thrown over it since there was still a bit of the winter chill in the spring air. "I'm sure she will be, she's tougher than she looks." Cress wasn't so sure though. Kora had seemed so fragile laying on that bed, looking like a hot dog with her burnt skin. "She's hurting." Cress said, wishing that Kora would realize that Aya had been a part of her all along, that she was always Aya and Kora. While she wasn't her own twin, she was her other personality.

"That idiot," Heron growled under her breath. "Making you worry isn't gonna do anything." Cress looked up, her eyes alighting in joy. The city was a beautiful mix of nature and technology melded together. The fountain at the city center, the tubes carrying the water throughout the city, it was quite the sight and Cress felt as though her breath had been taken away. "It's beautiful," Cress gasped, her hands tightening in her lap. "I wish... Kora were... with us." Heron ruffled her hair. "Hey, don't worry about her. I'm sure she already got to explore the city," yes, Kora had attacked Coriandrum's capital after all when her mind had been wiped and replaced by Refure.

"So? What do you want to see first?" Heron asked with a twinkling grin and Cress looked around, unsure. "Wherever," Cress replied, sitting back in her chair. Her red eyes sparkled with a light that hadn't been there in ages. Curiosity sparking beneath those fiery trademark embers, staring at the multi levels, the pods getting sucked into tubes to be distributed up and down. There were trees snaking their way through, flower and a river. "Let's go... that way." Cress nudged her head forward and Heron grinned, pushing her. "Hold on!" They went down a ramp, Heron jumping onto the back of the chair, letting it carry the two of them down, down, down, to the first level of the city. Down here was where the trees grew, where sunlight sparkled and scattered through colorful glass and tents covered the wares of the people selling them.

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❝Yes Mistress.❞


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

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


Nee was right, Shiro was most likely thinking about the wrong things. They were going to the city though and Shiro followed Nee to the elevator, humming a little tune about fairies. "Fairy, fair, sparkle and glimmer, sing me your tune, your soft heart lingers." Shiro had only heard the song once before, it was a memory she couldn't put a face to, but one that made her feel warm all the same. Even after the trauma of what she had gone through with Narina and her voice, the little pup still found it within her to sing a happy tune. "There is a castle on a cloud," Shiro sang to herself as she walked with Nee, the elevator doors opening for them.

Once the doors parted again, they were on the main level of Amethysia, the heart of the city where everyone from mothers and children, to business men, school kids on lunch break. Shiro held Nee's hand tightly, afraid of getting lot in the hustle and bustle, the little soon-to-be-co-queen not wanting to separate from the one she loved and drown in the dense wave of humans that crashed against her like sand on the shore. The beach was something Shiro had never been to, but she had read about it plenty to know that this was what was called a sea of human bodies. "There's so many of them," Shiro said, hardly able to see above the heads that floated this way and that.

When they broke through the crowd, it was to get the fairy floss. They were at the vendor who stood, pulling strands of sugar from a swirly machine, making them in bright shapes and colors. The one he was forming at the moment looked like a flower and Shiro's eyes widened at the sight of him spinning such meticulous designs as though it were child's play. Nee bought two of them and Shiro almost didn't want to eat her's. "It's too pretty to mess up," The pup whimpered, looking up at Nee. Nee tasted some and so Shiro ripped off a piece of the petal and put it in her mouth, doing what Wren had showed her and letting it rest until it melted, then crunching on the extra bits. "It makes my mouth tingle." Shiro giggled.

When Nee suggested importing a booth, Shiro's eyes widened slightly. "Can we serve it at our wedding?" Speaking of the wedding made her heart flutter in funny ways, but it was a good kind of funny. Shiro was smiling as they walked, hand in hand, with fairy floss in Nee's and Ellis in Shiro's. Did Ellis want some fairy floss? Shiro broke off a piece to try and feed it to the stuffed toy, but the dog didn't eat it. "I guess Ellis isn't hungry." Shiro said and put the piece in her mouth, wondering why Ellis didn't like food so much. Did he prefer bottles like Shiro had? She would have to see when they returned to the palace.

Nee's grip on her tightened and Shiro looked up, suddenly worried that something terrible was going to happen. Nee asked if they were going to be happy. Why would she ask such a silly thing? "We'll be happy," Shiro smiled and when Nee mentioned that they would do it for those who could no longer, Shiro's smile became a bit sadder. "Nio would have liked fairy floss." Shiro said, looking at the ground. "She would have liked this city a lot." Shiro couldn't cry though, not here, not again. She didn't want to be sad, but thinking of Nio made her want to tear up.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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#, as written by Ninja Bunny
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❝If I lose it too, then we will never survive.❞

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

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


Narcia listened quietly as Shi sang her song, for some reason giving Nee a nostalgic, bittersweet feeling of days gone by that they couldn't come to, of days forever lost to them, merely echoes of the past. But there was also a happy future up ahead and more memories to make. Just because the past was left in the past didn't diminish it in any way, right? It would still matter just as much as her current happiness did, didn't it? Isn't it possible to enjoy one's present while still having a fondness of the past? "You're a talented singer, Shi." Narcia said, enjoying her little tune. It was a happy song, and almost nonsensical yet she still liked hearing it all the same.

Unfortunately, it was a happiness that came with a price. How much abuse did Shi have to withstand in order to sing that well? How much pain did she suffer before she learned how to sing so nicely? That was why Nee would never ever force Shi to sing unless she wanted to. Singing would be Shiro's prerogative, she'd reclaim the ability to choose when and where to grace everyone with her melodious voice. It was, in a way, giving power to her in a place where she once had none, similar to how Nee taking control during lovemaking helped her process the trauma she went through under Semyon's control.

"It would be happier if we ate it. That's its purpose, after all." Narcia said with a smile when Shiro expressed a bit of sadness at how perfect the swirl of fairy floss was. Sure, it was incredibly nice to look at, but it was a waste to keep it as an ornament. Even if she tried preserving it, it'd eventually waste away in the end, so eating it was as good a use as any. "That'd be a great idea. A treat like this would make people happy, I think." For the wedding, definitely. It'd be a nice way to introduce a new confection for the Ashian people to enjoy.

But then topic went somewhere a little bit sadder, talking about friends long gone who couldn't live to enjoy the way the world had gone. Many good people were gone, and would never see how nice this peace was. But they'd be happy for them, and would share the happiness with them once it was time to see them again. "...Aine probably would have cried to see so many people happy." Nee said, thinking back to her old blonde friend. "It was her dream, to make a world full of smiles." There was a bit of a bitter smile on her face but then Nee rested her hand on Shiro's head. "We'll make them proud. And when it's time to see them again, we'll have no regrets." The faces were gone now, but they'd never be forgotten.

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❝I don't care if I lose everything, so please.... come back...❞

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

|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||


After that incident, Kora slipped off into another sleep. She was excited now, because there was a way to bring back her sister. There was a way to bring her back to life and that was all that mattered. As long as she could do that, as long as she could save her sister and bring her back to her, then that was fine. It meant betrayal, it meant turning against everyone, but the lamb knew it was the only choice she could make. Now that there was a method to saving her, she couldn't just turn it down. She failed once before to be a good sister, she wouldn't fail again. Kora would fix her past mistake and show Aya this wonderful world of peace.

"Why did you kill the rabbit?" Kora asked, staring down her sister at the well. Aya was being Aya as usual, dressed in that oversized green overcoat, wearing little boots with fur and her hair in messy yet cute braids, droopy eyed and puppy faced. Kora herself was wearing a blue overcoat of the same make, with little black boots, and her hair was cut short so it wouldn't get in her face. Aya did a little twirl on the spot, grinning like a child and Kora was angry. "Because I love you, sis." aya said in a sing song voice. "Aya wanted to show her love for you!"

The younger sister narrowed her eyes, feeling rage building up inside of her. This didn't make sense. What kind of love was that, anyways? How demented was her sister? "...Always. They always loved you more. They blamed me for the rabbit, they blame me for everything you do." Aya then took her hands and held them close, beaming brightly. "Aya knows, and it's sad! Aya wanted to tell Daddy that she did it, that it was her, but Daddy didn't believe Aya and he hurt you. Aya loves her only sister, though." She did another twirl, the skirt under the overcoat billowing just a bit. "One day, Aya will show the world how wonderful her precious Kora is!"

There was one way to solve this. The well was there. Aya always stole everyone's love, acting cute and adorable in order to make everyone feel sorry for her. The younger sister only felt anger and jealousy rippling inside. Why did everyone like Aya? Why didn't anyone like her? Why was she always the one everyone hated? "What if I killed you?" Kora asked, approaching. Aya's eyes widened, if possible, and she smiled. "If it'll make Kora happy, then it's okay. I have no regrets, sis!" This was just justice, after all. This was the only way to make her life better. But then Aya said something else before Kora could do it. "But if you do kill me, make sure you have no regrets either, sis. So think carefully, okay?"

And Kora stopped in her tracks. Regrets. Would she have regretted killing her sister? Was this a mistake all along? But her life was always horrible, maybe if Aya stopped shining so brightly people would see that Kora wasn't all that bad, right? Maybe they'd start to see her for who she was. But - wasn't Aya just the one who could see her for the person she was, rather than the person they thought she was? Was there no way to just accept Aya's love? So Kora lowered her hands, staring down at her feet, and she felt Aya smile at her, even brighter.

"Don't leave me, Kora." Aya whispered, wrapping her hands around Kora's own hands. "And I won't leave you, either. Don't open your heart to anyone but me, okay? Because we're sisters, we don't need anyone else. Cress, Heron, everyone else, none of them love you like I do." Aya smiled and Kora felt that if she opened her eyes, Aya would disappear completely. "Only love me, and I'll only love you!" Kora shivered, and she knew she was crying. "...I had a horrible dream. I dreamt that you were dead, that I killed you -"

Aya nuzzled her gently and pulled her away from the well, laying beside her on the dirt. "It was just a bad dream. Aya won't leave! We have lots of memories to make, we have lots of growing up to do until I can leave." And Kora felt content. This was how it was meant to be, wasn't it?

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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#, as written by The_Queen
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


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

|| Flaws || Bastille ||


"So!" Heron clapped her hands together, "What do you want to see first?" She asked, gesturing to the wide city. "We've only got a few hours to take in as much as we can." Cress debated, wondering where the garden store would be. "Seeds," Cress said and Heron suddenly blushed. "Plant seeds!" Cress said, wondering what the pervert was thinking of. Heron laughed, "Yeah, yeah. I'm just thinking," she looked around and started wheeling Cress towards a tent that advertised natural things like medicine and the like. "What are... we doing... here?" Cress asked as Heron pushed her further in, clearly with a purpose. "There's something here I want," she said, leaving Cress in front of a display for fish jerky and and going off on her own towards the back. Cress looked up, trying to peek through the shelves.

Heron was walking towards a section marked in frilly pink and Cress blushed. Could it be that Heron was looking for a love potion? Cress snickered, things like that only existed in magic books. There was no such thing as love potions in the real world, there were things that could get you in the mood, but a love potion? Even Heron must have known that something like that was impossible. So Cress waited patiently, deciding that Heron could discover on her own that if she wanted something, she would have to get it with her own power. "Done?" Cress asked and Heron gave a quick nod of her head, hiding whatever she had bought in her pocket.

"Garden store?" Cress asked and Heron grinned, "Yeah, we'll go there next." They went up a level, the weird pod sucking them up and depositing them in a place where shops lined every side of the street. "There," Cress nudged her head eagerly in the direction of the garden shop that stood like a beacon in the epicenter of the market. "I can't... wait!" Heron opened the door, wheeling her inside. There were so many shelves lined with seeds, garden tools, trowels, hoses, pre potted plants, and shovels. Cress squealed like a kid in a candy shop and thought that no doubt anyone else would have thought this to be terribly boring. "That way," Cress said, gesturing with her head in the direction of the isle she wanted to go down.

Armed with flowers, vegetables, soil, and other products, they left the store. They had the bags sent back to the palace since there was too much for just the wheelchair to hold. "That was... great!" Cress was in a great mood, her eyes burning with the intensity of the sun. "Only you would have found that fun," Heron sighed. "I have an idea!" They walked towards a costume shop and Cress had a bad feeling about this. It turns out, she was right. They spent an hour in there, Heron putting Cress in different costumes and then taking pictures with her holo phone. Cress was not having as much fun as Heron was, she didn't enjoy being put in fancy dresses and short, revealing costumes. She didn't understand how Heron was having such a good time.

Cress didn't want to spoil it though, Heron had done so much for her, Cress could at least let Heron fool around a bit, even if it was at her expense. "Just one more outfit," Heron promised, dressing Cress up like a revealing cat. "Why did... you pick... this?" Cress asked, blushing furiously as Heron nodded her head, taking a picture with her holo to remember this moment or something of the sort. "Because it suits you," Heron replied. The cat key-hole or whatever it was called, was terribly embarrassing and Cress hoped Heron would never show these pictures to anyone. "Time to go!" Heron sang, changing Cress back into her clothes. They had wasted most of their time here, it seemed, it was almost time for them to board the Agneystra.

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❝Yes Mistress.❞


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

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


Shiro blushed when Nee called her a talented singer. "If it'll make you happy, I'll sing whenever you want." Shiro promised with a little smile, squeezing Ellis tight in her happiness. By controlling what she sang and how she sang, it made the trauma Shiro associated with it ease up. All of that training, it had worked to make Shiro's voice sound heavenly, but Shiro didn't enjoy singing because of it. Now she could take it back, make it something she loved to do again, something that Shiro could do for Nee to make her happy, to make others happy. Shiro thought that perhaps Nio was smiling down on them, enjoying the song that Shiro was singing. Aine too! She was Nee's friend, so surely she was a person who would like the song as well?

After eating the cotton candy, they were talking about living with no regrets. "We'll live for happiness and love." Shiro agreed, squeezing Nee's hand. Then there was something else that Shiro had to bring up. Shiro held up Ellis for Nee to see. "I think something is wrong with Ellis," Shiro said, "He won't eat anything. I'm worried," Shiro hugged Ellis close. Her poor puppy must be starving since he wasn't eating any of the food she offered him. Next to Nee and Nio, Ellis was Shiro's best friend, the thing that she relied on the most when she felt the anxiety creeping up on her, or when Shiro felt scared, which was a lot. Speaking of fear, a large shadow passed over them and Shiro jumped, hiding behind Nee.

What was it? Why was that shadow so scary? Shiro poked her head out from behind Nee, but it was only a woman walking some sort of large house pet. Shiro breathed a sigh of relief, it wasn't anything to fear after all. Shiro took Nee's hand again, feeling safer like this. "We still have another hour," Shiro said, looking up at the sky. There was a lot to explore too and Shiro wondered where they should go. To a technology store? A stuffed animal store? A wedding store? Maybe they could try on wedding dresses? Shiro blushed at the thought of seeing Nee in one, at the thought of wearing one too. "Um, should we-" Shiro stopped, seeing two familiar faces walking across the square.

"It's Cress and Heron!" Shiro pointed out, noticing the bright red hair and the other girl's fiery eyes. "Should we see what they're up to?" The pup inquired, wondering if they were doing something super fun. They looked like it, Cress was smiling and Heron was laughing. No doubt they weren't talking about sad things like past lives or living for those who couldn't. They looked so free, Heron pushing the wheelchair without a care in the world. Would Cress end up with Heron then? At the moment Heron seemed the most likely candidate.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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#, as written by Ninja Bunny
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❝If I lose it too, then we will never survive.❞

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

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


Whenever she wanted? Nee didn't really know when she wanted Shiro to sing. So she knelt down to Shi's level and smiled at her, tapping their foreheads together. "I only want you to sing when you want to!" She said, wanting Shiro to have control over her voice and when she wanted to use it. Happiness and love - that's what she felt for Shiro and that's what she wanted Shiro to always be able to feel. Shi was important to her, and she knew Ellis was important to Shiro, so Ellis's well being was definitely important. Ah, Nee changed so much. Months ago, she wouldn't have put this much care into how she acted. Years ago, emotional attachments meant nothing to her.

"Ellis isn't like normal dogs." Narcia explained, wanting to keep Shiro innocent and pure. "He's a special dog! He doesn't need food or water to live! Ellises only need love to feed off of!" Nee made a wide, dramatic sweeping gesture, grinning at her intended. "So as long as you love him, he'll be okay." Hopefully that would satiate Shiro so she wouldn't worry too much. The way the girl was so attached to the toy, it was both sad and cute at the same time. Shiro was way too fragile, Nee would have to do her best to protect the pup's smile, wouldn't she?

Time was winding down, and soon they'd have to return. Shiro was aware of this too, and she pointed it out. Narcia breathed in the crisp cold air that Ashia Palace simply wasn't capable of, enjoying the crispness of it in her airways. Coriandrum really was a beautiful place, wasn't it? But then Shiro pointed out two people up ahead. Cress and Heron, both seeming rather well, all things considered. "Let's go say hi." Narcia said, taking Shiro by the hand and leading her over to her sister and the scarlet knight.

"Hello, Cress, Heron." Narcia greeted them and Heron grinned cheekily at her, doing a half salute that Narina wouldn't have tolerated at all. Narcia knew better, though, she knew Heron wasn't much of a stickler for the usual formalities. "Hey yourself. Coincidence to run into ya." Narcia wondered, though. It was her influence that pushed Heron into becoming a knight in the first place, wasn't it? She inspired Heron into taking on that life, right? By making Heron promise to grow strong enough to serve her, she pushed Heron away from the role of a noblewoman and to that of a warrior instead.

So Narcia decided to bend down on one knee for her good old friend, who let out a grunt of surprise at the sudden movement. "Thank you for everything, Heron. I want you to know that I appreciate all that you've done." Heron definitely paid the price - she lost her sister, as a result of her loyalty. If Nee hadn't given her the order to only let her pass Gate Valhalla, she and Itward wouldn't have come to blows that day. Heron let out a bit of a chuckle but she knew the knight was pleased. "Geez, stand up already, it's weird having you bow to me." Heron smirked and rubbed Cress on the head as if she were a lucky lamp. "And you don't even need to ask. I'll keep Cress safe, no matter what, on my honor as a knight!"

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❝I don't care if I lose everything, so please.... come back...❞

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

|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||


Kora was someone who didn't deserve to love. She didn't really deserve much at all, not after what she did to her sister. While it was impossible to go and change the past, it wasn't impossible to at least fix one of her mistakes. She could have Aya brought back to life. Not the one in her head, but her real, flesh and blood twin sister, with the droopy eyes and the puppy smile. The bandages were removed, and thanks to the ointment, her skin was more or less good as new now. The lamb knight gripped her sister's ID Chip carefully in her hand, making sure not to lose it. This was the key to bringing Aya back, wasn't it? She needed to keep this safe, now more than ever.

The lamb knew the others probably wouldn't forgive her for this betrayal. But hopefully they'd at least understand why she chose what she chose. Kora would forever be haunted by the past unless she could fix this and bring Aya back, to give Aya a life where she was allowed to grow up, instead of being killed by her sister and having her memories erased in her last few days as a result of the fall. "I'll save you." Kora whispered to her reflection, wishing it was Aya instead. "That's what sisters are for."

With the belt back on, fastened carefully around her waist, and the glove attached to it back on her arm, Kora was ready for a fight. She didn't want it to go this way if she could help it, but she knew she needed to be prepared. Heron was strong, way too strong, but she could overpower mostly anyone else, especially since her legs were back. Another stab of guilt - her legs were only back because of the people she was turning her back on, right? But she had to stay resolved. Once she got Aya back, then she'd explain everything.

"Kora? How are you feeling?" Corren was there, with Maven. It was almost time to board the Agneyestra now, almost time to return home. Almost time for Kora to betray everyone and ruin this happiness the others were counting on. "That was a scare, but we couldn't find them. If they attack again - there's no need to worry. We'll have you protected." Kora smiled and shook her head. "I'm fine. Don't need protecting." It wasn't technically a lie. And Kora really didn't want knights following her every move. "....Sorry for worrying you. I'm okay now." Once Aya was brought back, this betrayal would be worth it.

Maybe if she kept repeating it, she'd convince herself and steel her resolve.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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#, as written by The_Queen
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


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

|| Flaws || Bastille ||


They were wandering aimlessly, not going too far from the palace since very soon they would be returning home. Across Lake Asphodol, back to the gleaming country of Ashia Palace, a beacon in the middle of the lake. Between everything that had happened, Cress was glad to be returning home, where she would recover for the rest of the week and then hopefully be able to move on her own. To do basic things like brush her own teeth and dress herself. Never again would Cress take these things for granted, she would be appreciative of even the most mundane tasks that she would be able to complete without Heron and Kora. Not that Cress minded them, it's that she missed having independence and Heron not turning everything into some perverted game.

Even something as simple as going to the toilet, Cress would have a fresh perspective. She couldn't wait to get the catheter taken out. Now that there was a bit of feeling down there it was weird and sort of heavy, although it was nice to never have to get up to pee. "I'll be... strong again... soon." Cress eyes glittered, it was clear that was longing to do things with her own two hand. To garden, to climb, all of the things Cress loved she could no longer do until she built up a proper amount of strength. Maybe Cress could do it a little bit at a time? Scale doorposts like she had as a child? The thought of that rainy day activity made her smile.

The two were still rolling when Nee called out to them, walking over with Shiro. Cress brightened upon seeing her twin that she was so different from, towing along her little pup like a favorite toy. Poor Shiro looked nearly lost in the crowd of adults. She was still a kid after all and for a moment, Cress wondered if such a thing was legal. Nee wasn't eighteen yet and the laws of this planet didn't really seem to apply considering children were marrying nobles for power and prostituting themselves in the brothels. So Shiro and Nee could be together, happily leaving Cress behind again. That was fine, even though Nee promised, her fiancee no doubt agreeing to the arrangement. Cress wanted the two of them to spend their lives happily married, not worrying about outsiders.

"Hey," Cress said with a smile, hoping to attract their attention. It seemed it worked and they came over, Nee saying hello. It was nearly time or them to leave but yet it was so nice for the four of them to meet here in the city ccenter it didn't feel the samet though, Kora was missing and Cress wouldn't feel happy until she was back with the lamb. Nee suddenly bowed for Hero and Heron ruffled Cress's hair, laughing and saying she would protect Cress. "I don't... need her... protection!" Cress stated stubbornly. No, Cress would protect herself if she needed to.

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❝Yes Mistress.❞


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

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


"Ellis isn't... normal?" Shiro trailed off, looking down at her puppy. Did that mean there was something wrong with him? Did Narina hurt him too? Was Ellis fragile? Nee went on to explain that Ellis was special, he didn't need food or water like they did, the only thing he fed off of was love. "Then I'll give him lots of love!" Shiro said, giving Ellis a snuggle and rubbing her cheek against him. What if Nee got jealous though? Shiro couldn't neglect Nee's love either! "I'll give you lots of love too! So don't worry, okay?" Shiro would protect what was important to her, Nee and Ellis, those were her top two priorities. Other things like finding her parents and maintaining Ashia Palace were second in her book.

When Shiro pointed out Cress and Heron, Nee suggested that they go say hi. "Okay," Shiro said, holding Nee's hand. The lunch crowd had dispersed, the sea of people calming to a gentle lapping against the sand. There were a scattered few in the courtyard, two of them being the fiery hair and eyed girls that they were walking towards. Even if it was people she knew, Shiro still felt shy. She looked down as they approached, blushing for reasons beyond even her knowledge. As Nee exchanged pleasantries with them, Shiro looked up, wondering if Heron was going to win. The two looked as though they were having a grand old time, although Shiro wasn't sure if they were simply forcing themselves to be happy. Even after everything that had happened, the two of them looked refreshed. Perhaps it was from the spa day they had taken yesterday?

Suddenly Nee knelt down in the pledge pose and in instinct Shiro rushed to kneel down too, since your head should never be higher than the Queen's. Heron looked embarrassed, telling them to stand up. Shiro straightened, watching as Heron ruffled Cress's hair. Oh! It was short again! Just like the first time they had met. When Heron was taking care of Cress in her room and Shiro had been frantically running the halls, wearing the thing that Narina made her wear as punishment for losing her charge and her bladder. "I like your haircut," Shiro smiled and Cress looked pleased. "Thanks," Cress smiled, turning her head as though to let Shiro admire it from all angles. It was definitely shorter and Shiro thought that it suited her.

The large clock in the square began to ring and Cress said the words before Shiro could. "Time to... go home." The day had flown by, it was already lunch time! "I wonder how long we'll be on the ship?" Shiro mused aloud, wondering if they once they got back, she should move all of her stuff out of her room and into her intended's room. They could make that Kora's room? Since currently the knight had been sleeping with Cress and Heron every night. The four of them walked back to the palace together, where a pod was waiting to take them to the docks. Kora, Maven, and Corren were there, as well as Wren who was helping put their bags in the back of the pod.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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#, as written by Ninja Bunny
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❝If I lose it too, then we will never survive.❞

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

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


Shiro was as usual, being her amazing and adorable self, expressing the intent to love Ellis with all she had in order to keep him nourished. It was a harmless little fib, wasn't it? Though, if you thought about it, it wasn't necessarily a lie. Even if Ellis wasn't strictly 'alive', in Shiro's mind, he really was alive. In Shiro's reality, Ellis was just as real as she herself was, and he'd remain alive as long as Shiro loved him. So in a way, she wasn't lying. Ellis's presence and effect on Shi was very much a real thing, and that's what mattered most. Shi then went on to say that she'd give her lots of love too and Nee felt warm flutters in her chest. "I didn't worry, silly. I believe in you."

Honestly, it was very nice seeing Cress with short hair again, but Nee didn't really know how to comment on it. It reminded her way too much of Earth and it gave her painful stabs in her chest the more she thought about it. Cress was happy with it, definitely, and it suited her more than that long hair ever did, but still. "You look good, sister." She managed, making an evasive sort of compliment about the newly shortened hair. Heron was being her usual self, and Shi complimented the hair as well, earning a thanks from Cress.

Of course, there was someone missing. Kora should've been there with them. The trio didn't really look complete without her. But then again, with the current situation at hand, maybe excluding the lamb wasn't the worst idea in the world. Kora probably needed some time alone to adjust to being alone in her head. Narcia remembered how odd it was when Ellen just stopped replying, the strange emptiness. She didn't really have time to reflect on it, because there was a war to fight and a Cress to save, but in hindsight, it really was a change. Maybe it'd behoove everyone if she tried talking to the lamb. But, knowing Kora, she'd just refuse her.

The clock then struck and it was time for them to get to the Agneyestra. "Lead the way, Heron." Narcia said quietly, and Heron nodded, taking Cress's handles and taking the lead, weaving their way through the crowd. Eventually they arrived, and the ship was already prepared for boarding, the tube elevator connected to the ground for them to enter.There was still some extra package to be brought as well, so actual takeoff would likely still be at least ten minutes. "At full speed, the flight should be around three hours." Nee said, once they entered the main body of the Agneyestra, Heron's angel ship. Nee was already looking forward to returning to Ashia Palace.

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❝I don't care if I lose everything, so please.... come back...❞

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

|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||


Kora, of course, knew how to pilot the Agneyestra. She was made to read all the books back in Ashia, when she was first given her rank of Lieutenant General. So the lamb already had everything set up for ease of boarding - she connected the tube elevator to the ground to transport people into the ship, as well as the rear-end elevator for the luggage they'd be bringing back. Knights were already wearing their uniforms, but it was more for formality than for actual war. Peace had been achieved, after all. And if Kora was correct, Narina wasn't planning to start another war, anyways. Her plot was something a bit more smaller scale.

Betrayal was a a weird thing. Kora was going to have to put on a happy face for everyone, but she knew she was already disqualified from their friendship. It was probably better this way, anyways. Cress.... would be better off with someone like Heron to protect her. Someone trustworthy and strong like Heron could definitely take care of her. And Nee already had Shiro, so they were happy too. The lamb was still troubled - she didn't want to have to betray everyone. She didn't want to turn against them. But if this would fix the sin of her past and bring Aya back to life - the real Aya, not the one in her head - then there was no way she'd let this opportunity slip her by.

Three hours could quickly become boring, so Kora made sure to get some newfangled Etrurian tech to make the ride not quite so boring. Once Cress and everyone else arrived on the ship and the knights were finalizing preparations for take off, Kora left the Captain's Quarters to greet them, giving them all a bit of a shy sort of smile. "Sorry for worrying you all earlier. I'm okay now." She said, walking on her own two legs. Heron sighed and pulled her into a painful noogie, grinning. "Geez, next time talk to us before you do anything dumb, okay?" Kora nodded, rubbing at the painful spot where Heron's knucles dug into her scalp.

After Heron and Kora authorized the take off and assigned Finnley to supervise and call if needed, Kora decided to test out this new tech. "It's Etrurian, so we haven't seen something like this before! But Cumin said it's something fun, and it could pass the time!" So turned it on, a screen coming up. On the screen were a few options and files and Kora parsed through them, picking one. "Um, Princess Cumin said it was called a 'Visual Story.'" It played a story on the holo screen, made in a way to make the viewer a character, able to make their own choices to change the story how they wanted. But Nee had a strange look in her eyes and she mouthed something to Cress that looked suspiciously like 'movie'.

Heron looked the most impressed once the story got to the first choice. "I choose to keep staring at this screen!" Heron declared loudly, taking the controls so no one could make a decision. Of course, the screen was showing a half naked girl with a very revealing cleavage shot and the scarlet knight was almost salivating as a result. "Oh, wait, there's an option to have se-" Then a voice, cold and authoritative. "Give me the controls." Narcia said, tension crackling behind her smile and even Heron was cowed into handing it over. Then Nee chose to kill the girl and Heron grabbed the controls back, stunned. "Why? Why would you do that?" Heron asked, sounding almost devastated and Narcia grinned coldly. "Death and tragedy makes a more interesting story, doesn't it?"

Kora, however, was thankful for the distraction. She wouldn't have to keep pretending she was okay as long as everyone was focused on the Visual Story.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia Character Portrait: Sabre Sylvern
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#, as written by The_Queen
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


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

|| Flaws || Bastille ||


When Nee said she looked good, Cress grinned. "It feels... lighter." Without all that hair bogging her down, keeping her head up was easier. Both physically and metaphorically. When the clock began to ring, Heron grabbed the handles of the wheelchair. Cress was a bit sad to be returning already, even though the others were clearly anxious to return to Ashia Palace. Cress wanted to stay here though and explore some more, there was a whole wide forest with animals and plants to catalog and take photos of. Cress knew she couldn't do that alone though, not in her condition. Besides, Nee wouldn't let her stay in this place, she would want Cress to be at her side, especially now. The war had just ended, it was time to rebuild both Ashia Palace and Tartaria.

The walk back was quick paced, they were a bit farther from the palace than they had originally thought and the pod to take them to the loading docks was there, waiting. Once inside, they began the short drive through the top level of the city, going to the underground space beneath the lake where the Agneystra was waiting to be boarded. The crew was doing final checks, loading the extra cargo of soil and seeds as well as other things purchased in Coriandrum. Heron rolled Cress up the ramp, where Kora was waiting to great them. She looked better, her skin at least was no longer that bright shade of pansy pink, but had returned to a normal, peach complexion. "I'm so... glad you're... okay!" Cress said upon being wheeled up to her. Sitting in a chair, even Kora was taller than her. She was developing into a woman, even Cress could see that.

Kora was going to be quite the looker in a few years and something told Cress that Heron wouldn't be able to resist. Almost instinctively Cress looked down at her own chest, which had become flat with the weight loss. Corren said it would come back, but it was more a blow to her pride than anything. Yes, Cress would never be pretty or beautiful. Those sorts of words didn't describe her boyish figure and short hair. Cress was brought out of her thoughts when Kora apologized for worrying them all earlier. Cress smiled, trying to make Kora not feel bad. "It's okay... you were... sad." She hoped that Kora was better now, able to adjust without the second voice in her head. "Maybe you... should talk... to Nee." Cress said a bit quieter than before.

Cress knew that Kora wasn't Nee's biggest fan, but Narcia had gone through the same thing with Ellie. "She had... two voices... in her head." Now there was only one, although sometimes Cress could swear she could still see her cousin in there sometimes. It was in the way Nee looked tenderly at Shiro, the love in her eyes and her pride for her inventions. They were all aspects of her cousin that Cress didn't think she would ever see again. Yet they were there, subtle reminders to Cress of who she had lost. Kora pulled something out, a gaming system of some sort from the Etrurian kingdom. Cress looked at Nee, who mouthed a single word and she smiled, nodding her head. It was a movie, but more than that, an interactive one.

They gathered around it, Heron lifted Cress up and transferred her to a chair, moving the wheelchair somewhere out of the way and putting on the breaks so that it didn't roll this way and that when the ship rocked. A three hour journey, it would be much faster than the way there which had taken nearly six hours since they had been going slowly so as no to attract attention from Tartarian war dragons. A sound from the game brought her attention. Heron had grabbed the controls, no doubt wanting to further interact with the scantily clad holo figure. Nee commanded that Heron hand over the remote and killed off the girl, which made Heron upset.

Cress giggled, she wasn't sure why, but she found this to be incredibly funny. The giggling soon turned to coughs and Cress doubled over, trying to stop the fit. "I'm okay," she said, sitting back up so that they didn't worry about her and would continue playing the virtual reality game.

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❝Yes Mistress.❞


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

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


The ship would be taking off in ten minutes. According to Nee, the flight back would be three hours long, which gave them plenty of time to relax and do things at their leisure until they returned to Ashia Palace, where the hustle and bustle would begin. There was to be so much planning and fixing, further improving the tiers. There was also going to be a search and the thought of meeting her parents face to face made her nervous. After all this time, she would finally get to know the reason they had abandoned her that day. Shiro snuggled Elllis, standing beside Nee as Kora said that she was doing better. They were in the front of the ship, the cockpit, was what Shiro believed it was called. "It's good that everyone's together again." Shiro smiled, although secretly she was more worried about whether Kora was losing to Heron.

"I think everyone is a lot happier as a group than apart." It was true wasn't it? They all seemed so much brighter together. The trio was whole with Kora, without her there had been an awkward emptiness that Shiro noticed that Heron and Cress no doubt felt. Kora took something out of her pocket, a gaming system from Etruria. Shiro's eyes widened, it was something new she had never seen before. When Kora turned it on, the pup yelped and ran to hide behind Nee, the unexpected flash of light scaring her. It turned out to just be the game and once Shiro realized it, she calmed down, opting to hold Nee's hand instead. She heard a chuckle from some of the crewman that had no doubt saw the pup yelp and whimper.

"I think we're leaving," Shiro said, feeling the floor hum and vibrate as the engines came to life. Had the ten minutes already been up? They had went by rather quickly. While the others played the game, Shiro went to the window, pressing her hands against the glass and standing on tip toes to watch as the ship rose, up, up, leaving the tether behind. The dock inside of the lake split open, the Agneystra taking flight once more. Wren came in then, joining Shiro by the window. "I brought some things," she said and Shiro went with her back over to Nee. "Wedding magazines!" Wren showed Shiro her tablet, which had been choked full of wedding articles, planners, dresses, and other ideas.

Shiro blushed, gently taking the tablet from her. "Thank you Wren," the pup said, flicking through some of the pages. There were so many things Shiro hadn't even begun to think about. "Lunch is being set up in the other room," Wren mentioned, "it should be ready soon." Lunch was another thing Shiro hadn't thought of, she wasn't exactly hungry though. "Are you hungry Ellis?" Shiro asked, giving him a snuggle. She looked up as Nee killed off a character and Heron wailed, wondering why Nee had done such a cruel thing. "If Nee did it then it was probably a good decision!" Shiro defended, not wanting anyone to be angry at her intended.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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0.00 INK

#, as written by Ninja Bunny
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❝If I lose it too, then we will never survive.❞

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

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


Everyone back together again. This really was their main group, wasn't it? The five of them were as close to a stable social circle as they could get. The others came and went but generally, these five were the ones she talked to the most. That wasn't to say they didn't have others outside the circle they were friends with. Heron was often seen chatting with knights Nee didn't know the names of when she wasn't with Cress, or even just being with her brother and talking about the old days. Kora and Corren as a friend - she was the one who could make him express more than the usual disinterest - and Shiro had Wren. Nee expected a closer friendship with Cumin and Riana and hopefully Una as well for herself. Cress seemed like the only exception. Did she ever talk to anyone much outside of their little group?

Kora had the Etrurian thing which honestly seemed more like an interactive movie than anything else. She wanted the story to be entertaining - but she also wanted to protect Shiro from anything lewd... which, honestly, might just be an exercise in futility, considering the things they'd already done with each other. When Shiro talked about happiness together, Nee squeezed her shoulder gently. She made sure to cuddle Shiro gently when the girl was startled by the sudden light of the Visual Story. "It's okay, it's just for fun. You're safe, Shi, promise." Nee coo'd, giving her best icey smile at the crewmen who chuckled.

While Heron and Nee squabbled over the controls, Heron wanting to save that scantily-clad girl and Nee wanting to make an interesting and tragic story, two things happened. First, Cress started coughing, and Nee took the controls back, while Heron gave Cress a pat on the shoulder, still not convinced after Cress assured everyone that she was fine. "You really wanted my attention that much?" Heron said with a lewd sort of grin. "Jealous that I was staring at that girl?" The second thing to happen was Shiro defending her, saying that it was a good decision. "Of course it was. Who wants to watch a movie of Heron romancing this girl, anyways?"

A few more choices happened - there was some sort of conspiracy and Nee was making choices to try and get to the bottom of it, making sure to not trust anyone or befriend even the most innocent of people. In this sort of situation, you couldn't waste time building up relationships, not with unknown people gunning for your life. But every time Heron grabbed the controls, she ignored all the mystery and clues and focused on trying to get close to as many cute girls as possible.

Predictably, Heron was wailing because one of the girls betrayed her and was secretly one of the assassins, and Narcia had to take the controls and choose to fight back and kill the girl before they had a game over and needed to restart. "Why would you do that?" Heron cried, trying to grab the controls and Narcia smiled coldly. "Did you not see what just happened? If you trust any female with a pulse, you'll just get yourself killed." So Heron gripped Cress by the hand and planted a kiss right on the lips, mock-crying. "Don't betray me, Cress! You're my only hope!" Nee rolled her eyes and intertwined her fingers with Shiro's, thinking this whole thing to be ridiculous.

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❝I don't care if I lose everything, so please.... come back...❞

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

|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||


Kora tried her best to keep the smile on, to keep anyone from suspecting that anything was wrong. Cress's smile at her being okay made Kora's insides shrivel in disgust and self hatred. She was betraying Cress's smile. But.... it wasn't like she ever had a chance with Cress in that way anyways. Kora was a murderer, she killed her own sister, she didn't deserve love at all. "I'm fine, sorry for worrying you." The lamb murmured, still poking the painful spot on her head where Heron grinded her knuckles in.

While she set up the Visual Story, Cress was talking to her about talking to Nee, telling her that it was okay because she was sad. Kora felt the pain coming back, she didn't know how to respond. Putting up a smile when you just wanted to sulk in a corner was hard, and it was some of the worst emotional pain she felt. But it'd be worth it, it'd definitely be worth it. For Aya's sake, nothing else would matter at all. She'd bring her back. She'd trust in Narina that Aya could return to the world of the living. "I'll think about it, but I'm okay." Kora said, and Nee gave a bit of a sigh and looked her way. "You don't have to lie. It's normal for friends to worry, isn't it?"

Kora felt her heart speed up uncomfortably. How did Nee in one look so easily see through it? So Kora laughed a little, wishing it didn't sound so forced in her head. "I-I'm really okay, definitely. There's more important things to worry about." Kora didn't deserve their warmth and friendship, so she withdrew from it, using the distraction of the game-movie-thing to keep attention off of her. So Kora went slightly to the side and stayed quiet, feeling pangs of jealousy stabbing her whenever Heron and Cress interacted, proving more and more that they didn't really need her in the first place.

Wren then came in, still sporting her signature blue hair, balancing plates of food like a champion. "Lunch is ready." She then turned specifically to Cress. "Just liquids for you, I'm afraid, but I added a little something so hopefully it won't taste so bland." The food - other than Cress's soupy liquid thing - was an odd blend of Ashian and Coriandrum cuisine. Ashia's salty seafood mixed with the grainy cereal-type flakes and vegetables, with an aside of some sort of Etrurian chowder. "I tried something new!" Wren said, sounding a bit excited. "Mastering all three in honor of the alliance!" The wolf was already staring at the dishes, hunger in her eyes.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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0.00 INK

#, as written by The_Queen
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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 rolled her eyes when Heron made a ridiculous comment about Cress using the coughing to get her attention. "I was... not." She replied, huffing. Normally Kora would jump to her defense, or call Heron a womanizing pervert. The lamb, however, was surprisingly quiet. There really was something wrong, wasn't there? There was no time to dwell though, the game was continuing and Nee and Heron were bickering over the controls. "Honestly, you... two are... no better... than schoolchildren." Even as Cress said it though, she was smiling, glad to see that after so long, everyone was in good spirits. The memories of yesterday faded, the pain of the trauma dulling just a little bit more with every laugh.

This was how Cress would regain control, being able to smile and laugh, to stick it to the woman that put her in this position. Cress was winning back her body, her mind. Nee was doing it too, although it was in a different way than the princess. The Queen was getting her revenge by living her happiest, by turning Ashia Palace into a beacon of hope and love, rather than tyranny and desolation. No more slave labor, or slaves, people could choose what jobs they wanted to go into, there was free travel between tiers. All of this was possible because of Nee, her sister was making the world a better place and Cress couldn't be prouder. Cress had done very little in comparison. All she was really good for was getting in the way and proving to be more of a distraction than anything.

Perhaps those dreams had been right, the ones where she was the Nui who had grown up on the Untouchable Tier, in a palace that touched the sky and looked down on everyone else as a reminder of oppression. That Nui hadn't done anything of substance, she had gotten her big sister into trouble, had been looked down upon. Nothing was really different, Nee was the one who was doing all the work. All Cress could do was lay uselessly in bed as she fought to stay alive. Yes, Cress was about as useless as they came. She looked down at her lap, not feeling as though she had earned a place to sit beside them. They were on a different level, whereas Cress was still on the ground, trying to climb her way up.

Nee said something that made Cress crack a smile, she couldn't help but titter again. "Don't fall... in love... with an... imaginary girl." Nee and Heron were still fighting for the controls, Nee choosing not to trust anyone while Heron made it her goal to befriend every female that came across their way. Then one of them predictably turned against them and Nee killed her, which made the two fight even more. Heron strode over to Cress, unexpectedly kissing her right on the lips. Cress blushed, looking down at her lap so that they couldn't see it as Heron joked for her not to betray her. This was normally the part where Kora would shoo Heron away, call her an idiot or something, but again, the lamb was silent.

Wren came in, totting trays of food on silver platters. It was lunch time then? She mentioned something about liquids and Cress nodded her head, remembering how she had tried to eat pudding for breakfast and had ended up throwing it up "Thanks," Cress smiled as Heron brought her to the table by lifting up the entire chair, placing it down once more where the plates had been set. "I'll feed you Cress," Heron said, wiggling her eyebrows at a certain blonde knight with a lewd expression in her eyes. Cress didn't see it though, she was too busy thinking. "Sure," she said in reply, wondering what could be under the lid.

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❝Yes Mistress.❞


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

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


Nee reassured Shiro, cuddling her gently and saying it was safe. "I believe you," Shiro said quietly, relieved that it was just the game and not some sort of trap being sprung onto them. When Wren came with a tablet chocked full of wedding magazines, Shiro took it, a bit nervous. She sank down to the floor beside where Nee was sitting, putting her pacifier in her mouth and Ellis on her lap so that he could look through too. Occasionally she looked up at the game, but was mostly looking through pages about flower arrangements, table settings, the best time of year, venues. Ashia Palace was sunny all year round, so a date wouldn't really be too hard to come up with. Was a month too soon? Two months? Shiro didn't know. The magazine said something about an engagement party too, which Shiro was clueless about. It also spoke of picking bridesmaids and best men. Well, since it was a royal wedding, the best men were normally knights sworn to protect their Queen. Bridesmaids could be anyone though.

There was one other question that Shiro was curious about, most of these weddings were between a man and a woman, a bride and groom. Were Shiro and Nee bride and groom? Bride and bride? Did that mean they both had bridesmaids? Or maybe a mix? There were also surely traditions that Ashia Palace had when a royal got married that Shiro knew nothing about. She made a note to herself to find out about these traditions. Shiro herself didn't have any since she was only a servant and didn't know her parents. Maybe by meeting them, Shiro would learn something that was passed down through their generations. Did she have grandparents too? A lot of sanitary citizens didn't live until old age because of the work that they did, a lot of them died from the dangers of it too.

Nee was scolding Heron and Shiro looked up, wondering what had happened. Suddenly, Heron jumped up and kissed Cress, who looked surprised. Wren came in then, announcing that lunch was ready. She said that she mastered all three nations in celebration of their winning the war. "It sounds good," Shiro stood, brushing herself off. She took Nee's hand and went over to the table, sitting next to her intended. Shiro looked at the food that Wren had set down. It all looked delicious and the smells coming from it made her stomach growl. "It smells even better," Shiro picked up her spoon, trying a bit of the chowder. There was so much food, Shiro wasn't sure she would be able to eat all of it. It was too bad Cress couldn't eat it either, since Wren's cooking was as good as the Ashian Chef's.

Setting

Characters Present

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

0.00 INK

#, as written by Ninja Bunny
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❝If I lose it too, then we will never survive.❞

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

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


Honestly, Heron was an idiot, but it was a comfortable sort of idiocy. The two hadn't had much time to talk lately, and considering they were both friends from a long time ago, there was no reason for them not to interact more often. While they bickered and fought over the game, over piecing together the puzzle or befriending every single female, the two were having fun. They didn't get along as children either - Heron hated her for being so primpy and cold and Nee hated Heron for having so much freedom, freedom that Nee couldn't even imagine. And now they got along as well as anyone did. "But she's killing all the cute girls!" Heron whined and Narcia stuck her tongue out in a way she never would have, months ago. "I'm trying to save us, you idiot."

Nee then was distracted by something else, something that was suddenly incredibly interesting. Shiro was flipping through a book and when Nee saw the name on the cover she suddenly blushed and fluttered and didn't know what to think. It was scary to think of their eventual wedding but it was also a good sort of scary because she was incredibly excited for it. It would officialize two very important things: first, Shiro would be given the status of a Queen alongside her, and secondly, it meant she and Shi would be legally bound together in a way an engagement could never achieve.

"Shi, we don't have to follow tradition or anything." Narcia said once the movie was paused and the food was ready. It really was interesting and symbolic how the food was a mix of the three nations - Ashia, Coriandrum, and Etruria, and when she tasted it, it really was delicious in a way she hadn't expected. "We - we can make the wedding special for us, unique. After all, it's ours, isn't it?" Tradition didn't matter as long as they could be bonded together. After all, tradition stated pretty clearly that it was a bride and a groom - Nee wanted to shatter that notion and make it so that you could love anyone you wanted!

Kora was another source of thought. The lamb was definitely hiding something. She wasn't rambunctious as usual and Nee was, honestly, getting a little concerned. There was something off with Kora, but she wanted to talk to Cress about it to confirm her suspicions. If Kora was hiding something, trying to press on her would only make her close up even more.

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❝I don't care if I lose everything, so please.... come back...❞

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

|| Crystal || Of Monsters and Men ||


Heron and Cress really did suit each other, didn't they? Even if it hurt, Kora had to try to make herself happy about it. Heron could make Cress happy, and Heron deserved to be happy too. There was no room for Kora there, and that was fine. As long as Cress could find happiness, Kora didn't mind. Her betrayal, in the end, wouldn't take that smile away. It wasn't anything drastic like that anyways. But the lamb already decided. She made her choice, and she closed her heart off from everyone because it was her punishment for killing Aya. She wasn't allowed to accept anyone into her heart. She'd live for Aya and Aya would live for her in return. They'd be sisters, and they'd rely on each other. Kora didn't need anyone else. That was how it was, right?

Her heart belonged to Aya and Aya's heart belonged to her. That was what twins was, right? At least for them. They were both horrible, messed up people. Aya was a manipulator and loved being loved by everyone, and Kora was a murderer, killing her precious sister with her own two hands. No one would accept someone like her. That's just how it was. The wolf scarfed the food down, staying mostly quiet. "What if I did?" Heron asked in her usual voice. "Fall in love with an imaginary girl, I mean. Would you get jealous, or something?" The scarlet knight wiggled her eyebrows and stared at Kora as if she was expecting something.

"You pervert." Kora said as she ate but there was none of her usual strength or energy behind it. Just a sullenness. Her eyes widened and then she forced a smile. [color=#30b818]"Wh-why would Cress get jealous anyways? You idiot knight." Heron seemed to pause for a moment and for a second Kora could swear she exchanged a wordless glance with Cress. Why did Heron seem worried? There was no room for her in there anymore, so why was Heron making that face?

Heron was feeding Cress now, and it brought back memories of way back then, when Kora and Heron fought over it. Maybe if she fought, it'd - no, she couldn't. Kora didn't have the right to do that, not anymore. She was a traitor now. She was working for Narina now. If they knew, they'd definitely not understand, not even if she explained that it was for Aya's sake. So the lamb decided not to fight Heron and just ate, trying to steel her heart. This was probably the last time she'd ever get to eat with everyone like this. The last time they'd all look at her as if she were a friend. Once they got to Ashia, Kora was going to be an enemy. There was no changing that, was there?

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Shiro Character Portrait: Ellen Winter Character Portrait: Cress Winter Character Portrait: Ayanna Filia
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#, as written by The_Queen
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❝Let your soul take you where you long to be.❞


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

|| Flaws || Bastille ||


When Kora called Heron a pervert, her usual vim and vigor wasn't in it, as though she weren't taking this seriously. Heron and Cress exchanged a glance, they definitely noticed. Was it depression? Did losing Aya make Kora unable to feel happy? Yesterday though, Kora had promised that she would live for Aya too, but right now, she seemed more dead than alive. What was the point of living if you couldn't enjoy all life had to offer? "Kora, are... you sure... you're alright?" Cress asked after Kora called Heron an idiot. Heron picked up the spoon, feeding Cress her soup. Heron wasn't being silly either, no making noises or saying weird things as she fed Cress. The soup was good, but Cress couldn't eat a lot of it since she wasn't feeling too well. "I'm full," Cress leaned back in her chair and sighed.

Nee and Shiro were talking about the wedding. "Have you... picked any... bridesmaids?" Cress asked curiously. Cress had only been to one other wedding and it was when she had been really young. She had gotten a fist full out of the cake when no one was looking and ate it underneath the table in the dining room. She was barred from weddings after that, not that Cress really wanted to go since it meant that she had to wear a dress and let her mom brush her hair. Cress nearly groaned when she realized she was going to have to wear a dress for Nee's wedding. Hopefully the dressmaker wouldn't put together anything embarrassing like that last one. It had been far too short for Cress's liking and she had felt self conscious in it.

"That's it!" Heron stood up, grabbing Cress. "Kora, if you don't fight back, I'm going to take Cress all to myself." Cress blushed, wondering what was going on. "Heron what-" she was cut off when Heron pressed her lips against her's. "You'll have to fight me if you want to save the Princess!" Heron grabbed her lance, the weapon unfolding from her belt, aimed right at Kora. "Heron stop!" Cress yelled but Heron wasn't listening. "If you don't, I might do something perverted." Heron carried Cress in a bridal sweep, running towards the door. What had gotten into her all of a sudden? Was this her idea to try and make Kora feel like herself?

"Heron put... me down." Cress wiggled, trying to escape Heron's grasp but the knight was much stronger. "Can't do that," Heron apologized under her breath, "not if we want our friend back." Where were they even going? Heron ran up the steps, taking them two at a time. Was Kora even following them? "Kora doesn't... like me... like that." Cress said quietly and Heron sighed. "You really are clueless aren't you?" They were at the top of the stairs now, the glass turret on the angel ship that overlooked Lake Asphodel. It was large, a big enough space for a duel. "Sorry about this," Heron apologized, putting Cress in what appeared to be a large cage. What did they normally keep in here? Why did Heron even have something like this on the ship?

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❝Yes Mistress.❞


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

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


Shiro was glad that everyone was having fun. Soon the hard work would begin again and even the crew were smiling and at ease. It was completely different from before the war, where everyone had been tense and there was a nervous energy buzzing all round. That had melted away, leaving only pleasant after taste with no casualties. The soldiers that had prayed to the lucky stars to return home, were all coming back alive. Coriandrum's knights, however, were not as lucky. They had suffered both civilian and military losses, as well as severe damage to the city. Shiro was glad that the war hadn't been on their front. Ashia Palace was such a small country that a blow like that could have been detrimental.

As they ate, Nee said that they don't have to follow traditions. Shiro blushed, smiling a little bit. "I know, we're not really traditional at all." She shook her head, looking at the bowl of chowder she had taken a few nibbles from. "But I thought it'd be nice to incorporate some of the Ashian traditions as well." She swung her legs, unable to touch the floor while she was sitting in the chair. "Like the cup exchange," Shiro pointed to the chair. The cup exchange was when the two would fill each other's cups with wine and then a ribbon would be tied around their hands and they would drink from one another's glasses.

"Or the rings," there was a tradition that the rings had to be made of gold. They couldn't have diamonds or jewels, but instead, were intricately carved and engraved on the inside. "It says that the significant other designs the ring and the other can't see it until it's done." Shiro sort of liked the idea of getting to surprise Nee with a beautiful gold ring. Shiro had been going through types of gold too, she had never known that there was more than one! There was white gold, rose gold, plain gold, shimmer gold, etc. Shiro remembered Narina's wring being something nontraditional, the band had been gold, but it had gems inlaid inside of it, which was not allowed. Shiro remembered being tasked with polishing the ring once. It had been the scariest task she had ever been given, to be entrusted with something so valuable.

Suddenly, Heron grabbed Cress, making a declaration of war against Kora. Shiro's eyes widened, would the love triangle come to an end? Would Cress pick her lover today? She looked between Kora and Heron and then Heron dashed off. Would Kora follow? Would she count this as a loss and not try to fight at all? "You should go after them," Shiro nudged, "Heron is a pervert." Shiro was only repeating what she had heard, "there's no telling what she might do."

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