The Dowager

Personal blog is @lupine-rising Follows come from here since this is my main blog. This is my RP blog for my Voltron: Legendary Defender OC. Mun is 30 and does 18+ threads which includes NSFW. NO MINORS! Please understand that I could get in serious trouble if you are under 18 and interacting with me. Thanks everyone, we appreciate you!

[galra-empress-dowager]

Imperial Dossier: Classified

Empress Dowager

Descent: Fennekinsy adoption, prior designation (Altean) irrelevant

Name: Helios of Clan Shi'Modhi

Description: Irrelevant, please see depictions in mural and mosaic work or art pieces meant for moral boosting among civilians

Homeworld: Galmora, residing in Sahaarima city at the seat of The Crown

Status: Cryostasis Alive

[soulprompts]

REASONS TO CUP A FACE. ( A PROMPT LIST. )

with the help of some very talented and amazing friends, i present to you an unexpected, very spontaneous meme list based on the beautiful art of cupping someone's face! there's a mix of romantic and platonic here, and even a few that defy the boundaries of normal relationship dynamics! i hope you enjoy! as always; DO NOT ADD TO THIS LIST NOR CLAIM IT AS YOUR OWN!

[KISS]: sender cups the receivers face in their hands before drawing them closer for a kiss.

[CHECK]: after an unexpectedly violent situation, sender frantically rushes to check if the receiver is okay, cupping their face to look closer.

[CLEAN]: sender affectionately wipes a smudge of sauce from the corner of the receiver's mouth, cupping their face in the process.

[LIFT]: sender gently cups the receiver's face and lifts their chin so the receiver is looking up at them.

[COMFORT]: sender cups a distressed receiver's face in their hands and steadies them by resting their foreheads together.

[ATTENTION]: during an important conversation, the sender takes the receiver's face in their hands and firmly directs their focus on them.

[MAKE-UP]: while applying make-up on the receiver's face, the sender cups their face in order to keep them still.

[PRIDE]: after the receiver succeeds in a remarkable achievement, the sender cups their face and tilts their foreheads together to express how proud they are of them.

[WHISPER]: in order to have a private, hushed conversation with the receiver, the sender cups their face and draws them close to make sure they can be heard.

[HAIR]: in the process of pushing the receiver's hair back from their face, the sender lets their hand rest against the receiver's cheek a moment longer.

[GROUND]: during a moment of intense emotional stress, the sender gently takes the receiver's face in their hands to ground them until they're calmer again.

[WONDER]: unable to comprehend how incredible the receiver is, the sender decides to simply cup their face in their hands and marvel at them instead.

[LAST LOOK]: before going into a situation that may result in their death, the sender takes a moment to cup the unaware receiver's face in their hand, just to take a final look of admiration at them before they go.

[SACRIFICE]: the sender cups the receiver's face tenderly to distract them, right before shoving them out of the way (to safety) and facing an attack alone in order to buy the receiver enough time to escape.

[BELIEF]: in a moment where the receiver is lacking in self-confidence, the sender cups their face tenderly and professes their faith in the receiver's abilities.

[DISBELIEF]: after the receiver has done something completely unexpected (and reckless) the stunned sender cups their face in their hands while trying to get them to explain why the hell they did it.

[BETRAYAL]: trying to keep the receiver calm before the big reveal, the sender cups their face gently to keep them steady, and then reveals that they're the villain.

[WOUND]: after the receiver has been wounded, the sender tries to keep them calm and conscious by cupping their face in their hands and talking to them to keep them focused.

[INJURY]: after having been badly wounded themselves, the sender tries to reassure the frantic receiver by cupping their face and comforting them.

[RAMSAY]: after the receiver commits a culinary crime, the sender presses two slices of bread against either side of their face, cupping their face to hold the bread in place, and calls them an idiot sandwich.

[rise-abxve]

"The crown is too heavy to bear," he sighs, "I want to be free." (for the royalty meme)

There is a clink of glass tear drops dangling from the artfully arranged earrings lining Te'kal's ears as one twitches. He is no less adorned for this occasion as he would be for any other but somehow this feel different. It's....everything is different and now this?

There is a tinkling like rainfall as he turns his head fully to look over his shoulder at the Empress. "So you're preparing to hand it off, then? To simply....retire? Now that Father is...." He can't finish the sentence, can't give voice to what his bones are screaming but are brutally held in place.

A Kral Zera has not been seen in over a millennium and now... The only blood of a dynasty that has lasted for nearly three millennium is more scholar than warrior and only half galra besides. Unless the elder prince chooses to resurface.

"Perhaps a new Empress might....be a boon to whomever ascends the ziggurat first." A cruel sneer twists his lips that he can barely contain but it is weak, he is tired and bleeding invisibly and therefore he must endure it. "They'll need someone more...flexible."

[galra-empress-dowager]

Helios nearly startles at the sudden presence near clinging to his skirt and glued to his hip, not touching or tangling hands in the fabric but still very close. Between that and the stress radiating from the young prince, it feels like having a child at his heels again... He won't complain though, not at all, it's strangely soothing on his own frayed nerves.

"That was quick. Are you sure all that must be said has been spoken?" Helios asks quietly and when he gets a stubborn if silent nod in return he simply acquiesces and lets Te'kal tag along at his hip.

The Empress only needs to take a few steps before the leader of the Blades of Marmora is suddenly walking beside them as well, starting a quiet conversation about how the security measures held, who left early, who had to be rebuffed from entering, any security concerns that could be improved on at the next major event. Kolivan is a balm and a steady pillar, "And Our special interest? Are things going well with what We have left in your care?"

"Of course, Holy Mother, we would never mishandle anything you trust us with. You have no need to worry," the man is quick to reassure and soothe. Helios merely nods absently as if calculating next steps and gently waving the Senior Blade off as a polite dismissal.

Helios is making his slow meandering way over to the Paladins and lions, absent minded even as he murmurs to Te'kal, "You don't have to speak to anyone beyond a polite hello or a nod. Although I feel I should warn you that Coran gets chatty, I've known that man so very terribly long that I can say with certainty he means well."

[galra-empress-dowager]

[LIFT]: sender gently cups the receiver's face and lifts their chin so the receiver is looking up at them. (Rocket to Helios)

Helios had been slumped onto the floor and exhausted, tucked away in a smaller antechamber off the side of his chambers, laid in a ball on the floor to avoid damaging anything in the room. But when Rocket had come in he'd sat up, head resting heavily in the other's hands, staring up at him teary eyed.

"The scent has gone out of the room," he murmurs, "if I touch anything I'm sure it will crumble away. They failed to preserve this part of the rooms..."

[rise-abxve]

"The crown is too heavy to bear," he sighs, "I want to be free." (for the royalty meme)

There is a clink of glass tear drops dangling from the artfully arranged earrings lining Te'kal's ears as one twitches. He is no less adorned for this occasion as he would be for any other but somehow this feel different. It's....everything is different and now this?

There is a tinkling like rainfall as he turns his head fully to look over his shoulder at the Empress. "So you're preparing to hand it off, then? To simply....retire? Now that Father is...." He can't finish the sentence, can't give voice to what his bones are screaming but are brutally held in place.

A Kral Zera has not been seen in over a millennium and now... The only blood of a dynasty that has lasted for nearly three millennium is more scholar than warrior and only half galra besides. Unless the elder prince chooses to resurface.

"Perhaps a new Empress might....be a boon to whomever ascends the ziggurat first." A cruel sneer twists his lips that he can barely contain but it is weak, he is tired and bleeding invisibly and therefore he must endure it. "They'll need someone more...flexible."

[galra-empress-dowager]

The Takarta smiles weakly as his glowing eyes fade to a normal shade of pale lavender on a field of yellow sclera, nodding even as those eyes roll back and he passes out. Luckily the handler is right there like the man expected it, the large Je'kaan carefully scooping the seer up in order to cradle him like a child before turning a smile on Te'kal- a man who looks frighteningly like younger portraits of Zarkon especially with that awkward smile.

"The hospitality of the Palace and Imperial Family is always far too kind, we are incredibly grateful and humbled by your show of generosity. Thank you, Empress Candidate," the Je'kaan insists in a voice too soft for a being so large. He moves away then with his charge and only briefly stops for a word with Helios...

Helios who is serene seeming as always, colors cooled to blues freckled by silvers, but internally he is panicking and shrieking. So soon, he has barely had time to mourn himself before having to deal with a new Emperor and now he must take on an apprentice? He barely remembers his own mentor in the storm of grief and panic, though he's sure his predecessor would be scolding him for standing reed-like and pliant in this typhoon of events.

A clearing of his own throat and straightens more, "Well. This is certainly quite the eventful ascension isn't it? Archivist I apologize for giving you more work despite the Kral Zera being completed, I'm sure you'd like a rest, allow me to take what recordings and ceremony I can on my own shoulders so they can be sent to you."

The scattered laughter and visible relaxation across the generals and contestants present soothes some of his own fears before he approaches to Lotor and Te'kal until they are stood rather close together, lowering his voice for just them, "Once more you have my congratulations on your victory Lotor. I hope you do not disappoint. Te'kal, if you need a few moments for goodbyes I can allow that as I must gather My Blades from their positions around the arena and speak with their leading officer. I think I'm also expected to speak with the Paladins but I'll admit I'm so very turned about I can't remember."

[soulprompts]

REASONS TO CUP A FACE. ( A PROMPT LIST. )

with the help of some very talented and amazing friends, i present to you an unexpected, very spontaneous meme list based on the beautiful art of cupping someone's face! there's a mix of romantic and platonic here, and even a few that defy the boundaries of normal relationship dynamics! i hope you enjoy! as always; DO NOT ADD TO THIS LIST NOR CLAIM IT AS YOUR OWN!

[KISS]: sender cups the receivers face in their hands before drawing them closer for a kiss.

[CHECK]: after an unexpectedly violent situation, sender frantically rushes to check if the receiver is okay, cupping their face to look closer.

[CLEAN]: sender affectionately wipes a smudge of sauce from the corner of the receiver's mouth, cupping their face in the process.

[LIFT]: sender gently cups the receiver's face and lifts their chin so the receiver is looking up at them.

[COMFORT]: sender cups a distressed receiver's face in their hands and steadies them by resting their foreheads together.

[ATTENTION]: during an important conversation, the sender takes the receiver's face in their hands and firmly directs their focus on them.

[MAKE-UP]: while applying make-up on the receiver's face, the sender cups their face in order to keep them still.

[PRIDE]: after the receiver succeeds in a remarkable achievement, the sender cups their face and tilts their foreheads together to express how proud they are of them.

[WHISPER]: in order to have a private, hushed conversation with the receiver, the sender cups their face and draws them close to make sure they can be heard.

[HAIR]: in the process of pushing the receiver's hair back from their face, the sender lets their hand rest against the receiver's cheek a moment longer.

[GROUND]: during a moment of intense emotional stress, the sender gently takes the receiver's face in their hands to ground them until they're calmer again.

[WONDER]: unable to comprehend how incredible the receiver is, the sender decides to simply cup their face in their hands and marvel at them instead.

[LAST LOOK]: before going into a situation that may result in their death, the sender takes a moment to cup the unaware receiver's face in their hand, just to take a final look of admiration at them before they go.

[SACRIFICE]: the sender cups the receiver's face tenderly to distract them, right before shoving them out of the way (to safety) and facing an attack alone in order to buy the receiver enough time to escape.

[BELIEF]: in a moment where the receiver is lacking in self-confidence, the sender cups their face tenderly and professes their faith in the receiver's abilities.

[DISBELIEF]: after the receiver has done something completely unexpected (and reckless) the stunned sender cups their face in their hands while trying to get them to explain why the hell they did it.

[BETRAYAL]: trying to keep the receiver calm before the big reveal, the sender cups their face gently to keep them steady, and then reveals that they're the villain.

[WOUND]: after the receiver has been wounded, the sender tries to keep them calm and conscious by cupping their face in their hands and talking to them to keep them focused.

[INJURY]: after having been badly wounded themselves, the sender tries to reassure the frantic receiver by cupping their face and comforting them.

[RAMSAY]: after the receiver commits a culinary crime, the sender presses two slices of bread against either side of their face, cupping their face to hold the bread in place, and calls them an idiot sandwich.

[rise-abxve]

"The crown is too heavy to bear," he sighs, "I want to be free." (for the royalty meme)

There is a clink of glass tear drops dangling from the artfully arranged earrings lining Te'kal's ears as one twitches. He is no less adorned for this occasion as he would be for any other but somehow this feel different. It's....everything is different and now this?

There is a tinkling like rainfall as he turns his head fully to look over his shoulder at the Empress. "So you're preparing to hand it off, then? To simply....retire? Now that Father is...." He can't finish the sentence, can't give voice to what his bones are screaming but are brutally held in place.

A Kral Zera has not been seen in over a millennium and now... The only blood of a dynasty that has lasted for nearly three millennium is more scholar than warrior and only half galra besides. Unless the elder prince chooses to resurface.

"Perhaps a new Empress might....be a boon to whomever ascends the ziggurat first." A cruel sneer twists his lips that he can barely contain but it is weak, he is tired and bleeding invisibly and therefore he must endure it. "They'll need someone more...flexible."

[galra-empress-dowager]

"Do not insult them, the Takarta have shaped and impacted all Galra since the dawn of our kind," Helios scolds sharp and immediate at his sons. "Mind your manners should you have any for they are the ones who give voice to who inherits The Crown."

Helios turns his glare and shifting colors toward a burning bloody red and streaks of gold, magma like and unkind for once, as he narrows in on the ones ignoring the handler and mishandling the Seer. His voice is a nasty hiss then, "That is enough. You will release them, they are only so feral because they've likely been carrying the words in their mouth for movements to the point of madness. They will calm once they have delivered their words to the person meant to receive them. Come forward, All Seeing One, and do what you must."

The sob of relief from the Takarta twinges his heart but he stands still even when they briefly stumble to kneel and press forehead to the hems of The Empress's skirt.

When they stand again its easier to actually see one of the most mysterious of the many kinds of Galra, the Ghosts of the Old Forests: fur the smoky purple-black of the void, pale rosettes patterned along the body as well as palms and a muzzle that are all colored like silvery fog from the deeper parts of the rainforest poles of Galmora, and a long fluffy tail meant to counterbalance the height of the creature. Shadows and starlight of the greater universe shaped into a Galra form. Rumors hold that they are called "All Seeing" because their sight and minds exist in all times across all places, powerful druids every single member of the subspecies.

The poor Seer is haggard and dull eyed, milky glowing orbs that faintly light their face, gaunt from self neglect. They approach far more gently this time and gingerly take Te'kals hands in their own much larger ones.

"I come to you to Speak, heed me well," the creature murmurs to the prince before beginning to in a strange voice to tell what message they have been charged to deliver. "Ascendent in Strife, Crowned in Blades. The time has come, the tide has changed. Our second Empress born of Oriande's Fate, shall mourn an Emperor made molten by hate. Empire Cleanser, Way Shaper, Holy Mother and Mate."

[fuzzbby]

Hao Leng.

[rise-abxve]

“I saw you with them and it tore me apart,” Helios murmurs even as he tries to fight off tears, tries to smile. "I swore loyalty to the crown, but my heart has gone and swore itself to you."

Rocket is absolutely stunned by this statement, his grip on his drink slacking slightly for a moment. He blinks as he takes in the tears and the resigned smile, something in his chest tugging and burning and confused. "This is....sudden...."

He knows that Helios is referring to the kits. The Empress having having joined Rocket's family in the water garden this afternoon. A little picnic lunch and lots of swimming, Helios lounging on a chair watching them.

He never would've imagined how Helios felt. "I don't know what to say..."

[galra-empress-dowager]

"To be fair Antok didn't quite understand himself when Lotor was born," Helios muses with a quiet laugh, "He was rather cross with me when I presented the newborn to his big brother. Antok made a point to ensure Zarkon and I understood he didn't appreciate being kept out of the loop about his Ama having another baby, especially because my belly didn't round out. It was a mess."

The memory is soft and sweet: his son wide eyed in his shock as an indignant furrow took up his brow and his jaw dropped in such a frown Helios had been half concerned the boy would start wailing. It had been the only thing to stir a smile for a while after that.

"And good for Mava. She deserves better, should she need anything she 's entitled to assistance from the Palace considering her child is blood related to yours. Your position as Ha'tem already affords privileges to any family or den mate, but if we plan to properly court and follow through? Your family is my family and I help my family," Helios murmurs into his ear before kissing the soft fur at the base and squeezing him in another hug.

[themakeupbrush]

Zuhair Murad

[themakeupbrush]

Zuhair Murad

[rise-abxve]

"The crown is too heavy to bear," he sighs, "I want to be free." (for the royalty meme)

There is a clink of glass tear drops dangling from the artfully arranged earrings lining Te'kal's ears as one twitches. He is no less adorned for this occasion as he would be for any other but somehow this feel different. It's....everything is different and now this?

There is a tinkling like rainfall as he turns his head fully to look over his shoulder at the Empress. "So you're preparing to hand it off, then? To simply....retire? Now that Father is...." He can't finish the sentence, can't give voice to what his bones are screaming but are brutally held in place.

A Kral Zera has not been seen in over a millennium and now... The only blood of a dynasty that has lasted for nearly three millennium is more scholar than warrior and only half galra besides. Unless the elder prince chooses to resurface.

"Perhaps a new Empress might....be a boon to whomever ascends the ziggurat first." A cruel sneer twists his lips that he can barely contain but it is weak, he is tired and bleeding invisibly and therefore he must endure it. "They'll need someone more...flexible."

[galra-empress-dowager]

Helios actually pauses at that, silent a moment as he observes the son in front of him. He can senses something is wrong just from the storm of emotions in Lotor and in Te'kal, it will look concerning to do so but he chooses to hesitate, to question the new Emperor, "Are you sure?"

At Lotor's much firmer nod however Helios must concede though, "Very well. May the Archivist make note that you are choosing to remain alone in the infancy of your reign."

The devastation that whips at Helios from Te'kal's emotional core but the prince keeps a stoic face and he will admit some part of him is so proud, yet he's also incredibly worried. He'll have to try and ask when they are no longer on display, whispers enough are flying at himself questioning the Emperor.

"Now as I recall things I believe that is all?" Helios prods mostly to the Archivist and when he receives a nod, nods as well as he opens his mouth to wrap things up. Aside from the solar storm worthy emotional turmoil things have gone so very well... of course things immediately go to chaos. There's a ruckus toward the back, apologies being given around rabid wailing as well as calls for the Empress as the combatants scrabble to make way for the one thing Helios really should have expected to see: a Takarta scrambling towards the royals as a handler keeps people out of the path.

Of course. Fucking Seers.

[rise-abxve]

"The crown is too heavy to bear," he sighs, "I want to be free." (for the royalty meme)

There is a clink of glass tear drops dangling from the artfully arranged earrings lining Te'kal's ears as one twitches. He is no less adorned for this occasion as he would be for any other but somehow this feel different. It's....everything is different and now this?

There is a tinkling like rainfall as he turns his head fully to look over his shoulder at the Empress. "So you're preparing to hand it off, then? To simply....retire? Now that Father is...." He can't finish the sentence, can't give voice to what his bones are screaming but are brutally held in place.

A Kral Zera has not been seen in over a millennium and now... The only blood of a dynasty that has lasted for nearly three millennium is more scholar than warrior and only half galra besides. Unless the elder prince chooses to resurface.

"Perhaps a new Empress might....be a boon to whomever ascends the ziggurat first." A cruel sneer twists his lips that he can barely contain but it is weak, he is tired and bleeding invisibly and therefore he must endure it. "They'll need someone more...flexible."

[galra-empress-dowager]

Helios makes greetings as he must, he's polite and formal, word choices archaic because they have to be. It's automatic and he's not even paying much attention as he rattles through them: Helios tells the boy he will educate and guide if he is worthy of the Golden Era legacy, rattles off a compliment, and for the sake of the poor Archivist- how is that man still choosing to do this job after ten thousand decaphoebs- Helios asks the question he hated as a candidate but must ask now.

"And do you intend to take a Hraak A'shaani?" Helios finds it distasteful to ask but it's a necessary thing for formality sake. This boy's business is not his own and whether or not he wants to take on an informal spouse as a loving partner and not just rely on a formal union to whatever candidate for Empress may follow his own footsteps.

Whatever Lotor may choose in that regard Helios knows there's only so far a heart may be followed. The Emperor and The Empress are required to have a single kit born of both their blood, a symbol to represent the Empire itself: how they care for and raise that child reflects their ability to reign over the people themselves. His heart aches briefly over his eldest child but he dismisses the thought quickly.

At least he doesn't have to participate in such a thing, as not only a Dowager but the "Mother" to the new emperor Helios only needs to act as any parent.

[rise-abxve]

"The crown is too heavy to bear," he sighs, "I want to be free." (for the royalty meme)

There is a clink of glass tear drops dangling from the artfully arranged earrings lining Te'kal's ears as one twitches. He is no less adorned for this occasion as he would be for any other but somehow this feel different. It's....everything is different and now this?

There is a tinkling like rainfall as he turns his head fully to look over his shoulder at the Empress. "So you're preparing to hand it off, then? To simply....retire? Now that Father is...." He can't finish the sentence, can't give voice to what his bones are screaming but are brutally held in place.

A Kral Zera has not been seen in over a millennium and now... The only blood of a dynasty that has lasted for nearly three millennium is more scholar than warrior and only half galra besides. Unless the elder prince chooses to resurface.

"Perhaps a new Empress might....be a boon to whomever ascends the ziggurat first." A cruel sneer twists his lips that he can barely contain but it is weak, he is tired and bleeding invisibly and therefore he must endure it. "They'll need someone more...flexible."

[galra-empress-dowager]

He feels oddly soothed by the fact the child even tried to help at all, enough at least The Crown has returned its place on his head. That's twice too close together that it's made an attempt on his life, he needs to pull himself together quick and not allow himself any other failure tonight.

The flash behind him frightens him, enough that he barely notices the littlest of the princes to get past him to the railing... and feels some mild relief at the name Te'kal breathes out. The Throne remains another generation in the same bloodline and proves the stalwart strength of Nizal's reign can be passed onward because they are worthier than others.

Helios takes a deep breath in and then breathes out, colors shifting back to dawn colors then shining through to the vibrant blues and golds and whites of a Galmoran sky. Dawn giving way to a new day that does not fear the potentials.

Helios turns to look as well coming up to stand behind and to the side of Te'kal, not crowding or touching as he also looks at the new Emperor stood atop the ziggurat, "Well then. It seems whatever lingers of the old gods and the ancestors gave us a little luck, shall we go down and make our greetings then? It's only polite."

[rise-abxve]

"The crown is too heavy to bear," he sighs, "I want to be free." (for the royalty meme)

There is a clink of glass tear drops dangling from the artfully arranged earrings lining Te'kal's ears as one twitches. He is no less adorned for this occasion as he would be for any other but somehow this feel different. It's....everything is different and now this?

There is a tinkling like rainfall as he turns his head fully to look over his shoulder at the Empress. "So you're preparing to hand it off, then? To simply....retire? Now that Father is...." He can't finish the sentence, can't give voice to what his bones are screaming but are brutally held in place.

A Kral Zera has not been seen in over a millennium and now... The only blood of a dynasty that has lasted for nearly three millennium is more scholar than warrior and only half galra besides. Unless the elder prince chooses to resurface.

"Perhaps a new Empress might....be a boon to whomever ascends the ziggurat first." A cruel sneer twists his lips that he can barely contain but it is weak, he is tired and bleeding invisibly and therefore he must endure it. "They'll need someone more...flexible."

[galra-empress-dowager]

The thought that rises in response to that, a dagger cutting at the already ragged edges of the wound, makes his camouflage nearly flicker out with the way it stuns and stings. He hadn't expected that to hurt, the nerve-

The Crown moves and swirls, points of each spire grazing his throat as it spins in lazy circles and threatens him for that fleeting thought. Helios breathes in deep, secures his camouflage tighter, and forces his mind to ease. He cannot be weak and allow the old feelings to fester, to infect his reign. He cannot let himself think uncharitably on a grieving child, every living person under the Empire's banner is his to care for as his children and any child of Zarkon's is his own as much as if he labored with that child. He can not be so weak as to be cruel to his own family.

When he's calmed enough and shored up his convictions, The Crown returns to its usual place on its head. This is Zarkon's child. He will not do anything aside from try his best with this child.

"I know you are hurting," He begins in a low smooth tone, "Have you considered that I grieve him as well? If lashing out at me pointlessly makes it easier and seems like it will help, then by all means. I've lived long enough to endure insults and anger but it will not bring him back."

"If shouting and raging could bring him back I'm sure he'd have been walking back onto the dreadnought within seconds of-" he has to stop and take a breath to stop himself from choking on a sob.

"For the entirety of the known universe it has been ten thousand years... for me it has been only a year since I last saw The Emperor and I know it was needed but I still cannot wrap my head around what all has unfolded-" he's being weak and he hates himself for it and that The Crown is not reacting to this, "but if it helps you then by all means, I can endure it. I've survived worse."

[rise-abxve]

There is a strange sussurating hiss that sounds from behind him that he almost misses, but he only just catches. It is brief and quiet and settles in his bones as the ripple of quintessence it represents. It is the sort of ripple that accompanies his mother's magic, the sort that holds intentions of harm. His hackles raise as a blade is eased into his palm, body tensed to whirl and defend himself if needed.

But the moment passes with nothing of note to it though he remains tensed, cowed. If his mother who loved him was harsh with her magic when he needed it, this unknown quantity might be a whole world of cruelty. He closes his eyes against the wave that crashes over him, hearing the blood rush in his flattened ears and his shoulders draw tight.

He feels like a scolded child, eyes burning with the urge to blubber for forgiveness. Before Helios even begins speaking and humiliatingly the words only make it worse, hot tears welling but he wills them not to fall. He thanks his own sense to be facing away from the Empress currently, as he could not abide being seen right now.

But there is something in hearing the Holy Mother near tears that gives him pause, mother never cried. Father used to weep quietly into Te'kal's fur on very specific days and Te'kal used to weep with him as they drowned in sorrow together. Though his small child mind could not understand the world annihiliating grief that plagued his father. And now....

He turns to look at Helios as he speaks those last lines, letting himself show the grieving child scared out of his mind for his future on his face. The tears don't fall, not yet. But golden eyes are pink rimmed and his choice of mourning adornments is precariously close to being smudged into devastation.

[galra-empress-dowager]

Helios is watching him back, those eyes of shining white unnerving, but he has lost his bright dawning colors. He has changed to the same well loved and dim colors of the Dreadnought's throne room that Te'kal had come to associate with Zarkon, now reflected in the camouflage Helios wears like a second skin or armor.

Tears spill in little white trails that streak over his skin like comets across the expanse of space, burning with grief unspoken that echoes Zarkon's.

But he is looking at Te'kal. Looking and seeing him, not wishing the boy was something or someone else.

"I do not want to be here," Helios tells him in a voice that is quiet and not afraid, but rather somewhere between fear and disbelieving bewilderment. He looks at Te'kal's own grief and does not coddle but understands,* "I do not want his reign to be over, I do not want him to have become a monster, I do not want to watch someone take up a throne that my heart and mind scream isn't anyone's but His. I want your father back so badly."

The admission comes with The Crown threatening him once again and he does not care, if he dies for admitting love to a child who loved the same man just as fiercely then it is a death well earned because sorrow is not weakness. Even if it's weak to be in denial of Zarkon's crimes, it is not weak to still love him and he won't pretend it is.

[rise-abxve]

"The crown is too heavy to bear," he sighs, "I want to be free." (for the royalty meme)

There is a clink of glass tear drops dangling from the artfully arranged earrings lining Te'kal's ears as one twitches. He is no less adorned for this occasion as he would be for any other but somehow this feel different. It's....everything is different and now this?

There is a tinkling like rainfall as he turns his head fully to look over his shoulder at the Empress. "So you're preparing to hand it off, then? To simply....retire? Now that Father is...." He can't finish the sentence, can't give voice to what his bones are screaming but are brutally held in place.

A Kral Zera has not been seen in over a millennium and now... The only blood of a dynasty that has lasted for nearly three millennium is more scholar than warrior and only half galra besides. Unless the elder prince chooses to resurface.

"Perhaps a new Empress might....be a boon to whomever ascends the ziggurat first." A cruel sneer twists his lips that he can barely contain but it is weak, he is tired and bleeding invisibly and therefore he must endure it. "They'll need someone more...flexible."

[galra-empress-dowager]

The thought that rises in response to that, a dagger cutting at the already ragged edges of the wound, makes his camouflage nearly flicker out with the way it stuns and stings. He hadn't expected that to hurt, the nerve-

The Crown moves and swirls, points of each spire grazing his throat as it spins in lazy circles and threatens him for that fleeting thought. Helios breathes in deep, secures his camouflage tighter, and forces his mind to ease. He cannot be weak and allow the old feelings to fester, to infect his reign. He cannot let himself think uncharitably on a grieving child, every living person under the Empire's banner is his to care for as his children and any child of Zarkon's is his own as much as if he labored with that child. He can not be so weak as to be cruel to his own family.

When he's calmed enough and shored up his convictions, The Crown returns to its usual place on its head. This is Zarkon's child. He will not do anything aside from try his best with this child.

"I know you are hurting," He begins in a low smooth tone, "Have you considered that I grieve him as well? If lashing out at me pointlessly makes it easier and seems like it will help, then by all means. I've lived long enough to endure insults and anger but it will not bring him back."

"If shouting and raging could bring him back I'm sure he'd have been walking back onto the dreadnought within seconds of-" he has to stop and take a breath to stop himself from choking on a sob.

"For the entirety of the known universe it has been ten thousand years... for me it has been only a year since I last saw The Emperor and I know it was needed but I still cannot wrap my head around what all has unfolded-" he's being weak and he hates himself for it and that The Crown is not reacting to this, "but if it helps you then by all means, I can endure it. I've survived worse."

[naughtyandnicerpmemes]

Reblog this if you're willing to edit starters/responses for your roleplay partners.