YOU ARE THE REASON
Janaina Medeiros
@theartofmadeline
Today's Document
KIROKAZE
tumblr dot com
No title available
🪼
styofa doing anything
2025 on Tumblr: Trends That Defined the Year
"I'm Dorothy Gale from Kansas"
Lint Roller? I Barely Know Her
NASA
No title available
Cosmic Funnies
Monterey Bay Aquarium
No title available
Sade Olutola
Claire Keane
No title available
seen from Lithuania
seen from Argentina
seen from Ireland
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from Australia
seen from Poland
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Japan
seen from Malaysia
seen from Türkiye
seen from Türkiye
seen from Singapore
seen from Italy
seen from Germany
seen from Poland
seen from Greece
seen from Canada
@gloriousncss
dependent muses for @theopulenthq written by mandy. (dividers by @saradika-graphics)
Princess Victoria Oldenburg. Lana Condor FC. INTRO.
Sultana Dilara Abdul of Turkey. Hande Ercel FC. INTRO.
Princess Maria Ortiz of Spain. Jeanine Mason FC. INTRO.
Queen Claire Stuart of Scotland. Kat McNamara FC. INTRO.
Queen Elisabeth Hatzfeld of Germany. Nicola Coughlan FC. INTRO.
Tsarina Natasia Stasov of Russia. Camila Mendes FC. INTRO.
@whispcrings @flcralhaze @gloriousncss (your choice! at the beach. not a group starter.)
The ocean is somehow different and all the same. The breeze is cold and smells of sea salt, but even if he closed his eyes, his senses reminded him that he wasn't home. Could be the distinct lack of the odor of raw fish, which he most associates with the shore he grew up in. Still, the waves are calming, and the regent has decided to distance himself from the crowds to put himself in a less than regal position: sitting on cold, wet stone, with his pants rolled up to his knees, and bare feet inside the water — proper etiquette be damned.
"Care to join me?"
It is a piece of normalcy of which Victoria can grasp on to, a grin growing on her face until it transformed into a smile the more she convinced herself that she could not be in safer company. She nodded, hastening to the water's edge before she kicked off her silver slippers and dipped her feet into the water beside him. "What a splendid idea... and you always have the most splendid ideas," she beamed. Feeling the waves ebb and flow against her skin, pushing her feet in any which gentle direction, seemed to be the only certainty left in the world, besides that she always had a family to fall back on in the midst of her fear. "I must confess something..." her voice grew quiet, "I have not been sleeping very well since that night on our ship."
edvard had practically run over to victoria when he saw here, the drawing he'd done of sugarloaf mountain in his hands, but his shoulders dropped, feeling like with one step he'd stepped out of the sun's warmth. his smile vanished. ❝ what's wrong? ❞ he had his suspicions. it was by choice that teddy shoved any thoughts about what had happened on the naglar, but he knew not all could do that. sometimes when the day quieted and distractions embedded away, he couldn't stop from worrying. with a sigh, teddy sat down on the bench beside her. ❝ i don't see why they'd say no. but maybe the festivities will be a good distraction? i went to the festa junina, and it's marvelous. ❞
Weary eyes, from lack of sleep, faded over to him, certainly a cry for help concealed behind the fear within her chocolate hues, even if she wasn't entirely certain she needed help at all. She sighed, her shoulders always rising and falling when she did. "Pappa was right..." she muttered, almost frightened to bring up the missing king, whom no one would talk about around her anymore, "He was trying to protect me from all of the scary things that happen out here, like what happened to that poor queen... not that I didn't believe him, but..." Perhaps her curiosity was misplaced, the eagerness that suddenly filled her to see what was beyond Norway causing her to make the wrong choice to leave. "Tell me what it was like?" she turned on the bench, soft voice finding a bit of light to it, "Just like how you would tell me your stories back at home." After all, it was his tales from his travels that drafted her dreams to one day see the world for herself.
maria seems to be in a good mood, and that's all the reason for felix to also be in one. laughter echoes around them as he plops down on a chair next to her unceremoniously, hands reaching out to the bottle. "of course not! what kind of brother i'd be if i let my sister drink alone?" a very ill-mannered one, that's for sure. and well, he hasn't really gotten drunk on a fast-moving ship before, so he hopes this doesn't make him too sick. if it does, that will be another lesson learned. his eyes glint at the words trouble, and he shifts on the chair so his body is facing towards her, straightening up, excited like a kid in a candy store. "ooh, trouble? what do you have planned?"
She watched her brother take the bottle like a proud mother watching her son. He may develop a fierce sense of denial towards anything remotely soft and good in this world, but at least he would make it on his own. Should she succeed, and the monarchy fall, Felix would do well enough. In truth, he was the least of her worries. "Besides getting the hell out of here once we land and going on a treasure hunt?" she jested, joining his excitable motion to lean forward, "I heard the servants throw the most splendid parties on the lower decks once the gentry retire to their quarters for the night. I say we ditch the crows and go have some real fun with real people."
status -> closed starter for @umitvar, @gloriousncss, @espionisms {not a group thread!}
setting -> Boat Race Concorrência, on the docks by the racing boats shortly before the last race of the event.
eyes would behold a king prince at work; sleeves rolled up high on plain attire, experienced hands working with rope && masts, cheeks kissed by the sun already from the hour spent readying the boat. this, maceon could do in his sleep, and took comfort in the ritual of it, as he prepared to set sail. despite the warning of it being a trap, maceon would hear no argument out of anyone's lips.
he would be participating in the final race, and he had every intention of winning. barely looking up from where he was braced, testing the stability of his recent knots with a sharp tug, maceon gave a small grunt of satisfaction, before turning with arms crossed, ready to face the individual who had come up to the docks, watching. " if you have come to try && talk me out of the competition, your efforts would be better spent placing bets on my success. "
Though she could stand to show a bit more remorse for the passing of Maceon's beloved sister, Maria was undeterred by death's visit. If anything, when confronted with the new king of Northern Spain, a surprising amount of empathy overcame her. It would never be said aloud, should anyone think Maria was capable of empathizing with a Bonaparte, of all people. But Maria could imagine being given a title she did not want, knowing she would shove it away at all costs. She wondered if he'd felt the same way too.
Biting in the inside of her cheek, she dashed it away. The Monarchy may make enemies out of those who would otherwise be friends, but as long as it was still in tact, then Maceon and his brother stood in her way. "Ha! I wouldn't dream of either," she scoffed, "I've come to forewarn you that you will not be receiving any of my sympathies when the pistol fires and the race begins." She grinned, taking a closer step towards him to lower her voice. "After all, you've seen me sail... do you really think you stand a chance against me?"
@xforgedsecrets ( maria & kekoa ) location: mysteries of osiris ball time: evening
For god's sake, Maria swore she would never ever get used to the restrains of a proper corset. She'd almost tricked her ladies maids into fastening it looser by pretending to gasp in pain at the slightest pinch. Alas, they were not so easily fooled. Were she not so beautiful of stature, perhaps they could be convinced to snatch the curve of her waist until the point of exhaustion. But she did look beautiful, clothed in bright red (a compromise for agreeing to dress up like a real Spanish Princess) and adorning a gold tiara atop her perfectly placed jet black curls. A perfectly perched prize for the marriage market, or so she believed her sister would have it be. Still, her eyes wandered the room, searching through blurred, useless silhouettes to find only one that would even matter at all. At the sight of her brother in law, her breath hitched, becoming acutely aware of how she must have looked, searching so intently. "You wouldn't happen to know where the good drinks are, would you?" she inquired quite smoothly, "Your wife is hoping I might fall in love with a free spirit like mine and I don't think I could stand combing through face after face on my own."
closed starter with: andromeda and liesel (@gloriousncss) location: the german apartments time: the morning after the betrothal celebration
The previous night, in front of a gaggle of nobles, Stefan had draped his coat over Andromeda’s shoulders, shielding her from the chill in the air. An ingenious move, if she was being entirely honest. Their ruse had been going perfectly, and for the first time in a while, her advisors had gone completely silent on the topic of marriage. There was still the occasional suitor, but even that stream had begun to dry. Not wanting to break their momentum, Andromeda waited until the palace had begun to wake up before walking to the German apartments, the coat folded and draped over her arm. It would have been easy enough to send one of her ladies to return the coat, but returning it herself would make a much more public statement.
When she finally arrived at the apartments, she was surprised to see Liesel taking her breakfast in the common area. “Queen Liesel!” Andromeda said, dropping into a curtsey. “What a pleasant surprise. I did not expect to see you! I’d only come to return Prince Stefan’s coat.” She smiled politely, catching the attention of a servant and handing the garment to them. “I’m very sorry to disturb you, I’ll leave you to your morning.”
Liesel had nearly spit out her drink when she noticed a flickering flame between him and the Ethiopian Princess. He was being... gentlemanly. At first she did not want to believe it at all. When she sacrificed her own chance at love so that her brother may find it at his own whim, she would have supposed he'd be hiding some scullery maid or valet. But out in the open with a princess? And one from a family with a glowing reputation? Seeing her even enter the apartments made her beam from ear-to-ear. Perhaps he really did care about making his sister look good, after all. "Princess Andromeda!" she practically rejoiced, standing up from her chair and placing her quill back in its ink bottle, as she had taken to doing her work anywhere but in her study, "You have made absolutely no error. In fact, I would love if you stayed for a moment and shared a bit of tea with me, hmm?" She glanced over at her shoulders, a head nod gesturing to her servants. "Tell me, how did you enjoy last night's festivities?"
@diamondnoble ( liesel & rose ) location: german apartments, liesel's study time: just before the betrothal ball
"That would be splendid, yes," Liesel's eyes frantically sped-read through the paperwork in front of her, gifting a painting from the German royal palace to Emperor Kaito and the future Empress Dilara as a symbol of peace between them. It was taxing, trying to navigate Elias's doings, but maintaining an alliance with Japan seemed easy enough. After all, all one had to do was be kind, "I should think that would be a lovely engagement gift. And then, of course, we should offer another as a wedding present." Paintings hanging in the corridors seemed to be the only kind of gift Liesel could afford, at the present moment. "Oh, before you go, Rose!" she called, quill still in hand as she waved it in the air, "I fear I am in need of a bit of personal advice, if you do not mind my being so bold."
@whispcrings ( liesel & muse of your choice ) location: the betrothal celebration time: early evening
"It is strange, is it not?" Liesel stood just off the wall, a glass of something in her hand that she could not identify, but tasted rather satisfying. It gave her the resolution to speak to the first person she could find, as her present company seemed to be rather distracted by other things. In truth, the German Queen was quite distracted by the beautiful couple. "A marriage that seems to be the most necessary and advantageous of alliances, and yet they seem quite pleased with each other, at the very least," she observed, raising her glass to gesture towards them, "How very rare, indeed."
closed starter ›› natasia stasov , @gloriousncss where: one of the events.
the two siblings walked side by side though it was the younger who led. if the option was placed in the eldest's hands he would turn on his heel and returned to the sanctuary of russia's estate rooms. his gaze wandered, the surroundings didn't garner his attention as much as the people, particularly those who were staring. cold eyes stared back, many having the shame to then look away, but nikolai still felt unease climbing up his spine. ❝ i still fail to see why you insisted i attend this gathering. ❞
"Because you are boring me," the sinister Tsarina had a smile painted on her face that one could easily mistake for a joyful countenance, were they unaware of how ruthless Natasia can be when she is happy. Her hand snaked beneath the crook of her brother's elbow, letting her maroon gloved hand rest on his arm as though he were kind enough to escort her, himself. "Hiding in your room away from the present company only makes you dead, clearly," she sighed, "You may not enjoy being at the center of the drama, like your beloved sestra, but it is better to be a spectator than cold... you'll miss out on all the fun that way."
Café do Paço, soon after Russia's arrival - Open (0/3)
"Her friends and family must be devastated, no doubt, but I cannot help but empathize with whoever was in charge of her, too. Someone, or someones, were supposed to prevent this from happening. We are only human, but don't always realize the importance of our roles, or the magnitude of potential mistakes."
Sanya takes a sip from her cocoa, and takes a moment to sabor it. She can tell she's gonna spend most of her free time here, trying out every flavor at least once, and then perhaps twice, for good measure.
"We caught my mentor after he poisoned the dinner once. Our food, in the same kitchen we had worked together in for years. I can't remember ever being more terrified than I was back then, even though no one ate and no one got harmed."
Bullshit, every single word, all of it. Yet, she speaks with a confidence and emotion that makes it nearly impossible to spot a single lie.
"It is truly a sorrowful thing, indeed," maroon painted nails graced the goblet of a rather sullied wine, if one were to ask the devil's tsarina what she'd thought of it. After all, it was impossible to impress a master. Perhaps the idea came from hubris, that oe held oneself in such high esteem that no one would ever measure up to themselves. Natasia would agree, either way. It was much more pleasurable to think of herself than to be bored with a quickly climaxed murder mystery. "I suppose were far too merciful with your last mentor, Sanya," she mused, "I suppose if someone were 'harmed', then my requests to execute the imp wouldn't have been overruled... it's always easier to just dispose of them, after all." Words that were, perhaps, too harsh, but when one ruled over a nation as mighty as Russia, who would be stupid enough to argue?
who: @gloriousncss // Arshiya & Dilara
where: The Royal Prince’s Birthday Garden Picnic
She had been dreading this conversation, even more than she had dreaded seeing Rostam. At least Rostam had hurt her first. Dilara had been nothing but kind, a sister even when her brother and Arshiya had been at odds.
She had not missed the lack of invitation to her betrothal celebration, nor the blatant attempts to outdo her and Angelo (nor that they had most certainly succeeded).
But speak they must. A child's birthday picnic seemed the safest place to do it. "Sultana," she said, proud that none of her nervousness showed in her voice. "I am glad to see that your betrothal did indeed survive the events of last year. I am not surprised, but I am glad."
Dilara had spent the last month, since learning about Arshiya's betrothal to Emperor Angelo, trying to shut her out with great purpose. Even if she were invited to her betrothal celebration, the sultana had not a single desire to attend, back in Ethiopia. She knew not if it was from happiness, greed, revenge? Or worse, she did not think at all about the sultana she'd come to call her sister? Being forgotten altogether, or disregarded, was quite possibly, worse. Her heart had hardened to her in those days at sea, growing more and more into Japan's Empress the more time she spent with Kaito and the others. Now, the betrothed of the Chinese Emperor would seem her greatest enemy. "Are you?" she asked stoically, "Do not let your beloved hear you say such a thing. If how China reacted to the betrothal announcement is any indication, I would think my happiness is... some kind of threat?"
@gloriousncss ( victoria, or whoever you want! ,- during the mysteries of osiris gala)
This seemed to be the spot reserved for the wallflowers, figuratively. If people noticed them at all, they didn't seem to care, which made it the perfect place for Farhad to be. For the most part, they are an unfamiliar face, and only the most educated would take a correct guess about them being the missing sultan in the first try.
While they would rather go without talking at all, they clear their throat as they approach. After all, Farhad too would like a chance to say they'd rather not have other people around when they were hiding from society. "May I stay here?"
Carry on as if nothing was wrong, as if nothing happened. With the clock ticking over her head at all hours of the day, it was becoming easier and easier to keep secrets. What as one more? She swallowed hard each time she thought of it. How long could she keep locked away in her lungs that Rahmi was here? She imagined if anyone should find out that she knew the whole time... but the ball was no place to begin revealing such things. Just enjoy it, she told herself. After all, it would be a great service for the famed Sultana and future Empress of Japan to attend King Ramses's ball. The appearance of Farhad, Khan's sibling, made her catch her breath. She smiled, instead, nudging their shoulder playfully with her own, "Of course you can, always." She loved Khan like he was her own brother, she loved the kind of man he made Rostam to be, and she believed it was Khan's love living in Rostam now that made him so wonderful to be around. She would be forever indebted to Khan's family for that, which was what made Arshiya's entanglement with the Chinese Emperor such a betrayal. Picking up a refreshment, she handed it towards them, "Are you enjoying yourself?"
closed starter: dilara abdul / @gloriousncss
location: dilara's apartments
they arrived in the morning holding a tray of breakfast. a mix of both of their favorites, with foods and drinks to aid in recovery from the betrothal celebrations. şenay sat on dilara's bed, a plate of fruit in their lap and a soft smirk on their lips.
"now, you must be honest --- did the celebration exceed your expectations?"
Had Dilara not been so exhausted from all of the festivities, the shaking of hands and greeting of guests, it would have been difficult for her eyes to succumb to the embrace of sleep. For with every spare moment, her wandering thoughts were plagued with the arrival of their eldest brother; the traitor. She could not lay this burden on Şenay. Giving the illusion that her bemused expression was simply the pains of rising from slumber, she stretched her arms before giving her sister a very soft smile, hands reaching to rest comfortably atop hers. "It was wonderful, ufaklık," she insisted, "I'm sure the Emperor, himself, could not have imagined it going any better... he did look rather dashing, don't you think?" She picked up a piece of fruit from the plate, a blush coming over her cheeks, "and I did so love the dress you helped me pick. Gold, being one of my favorite colors."
Closed Starter for @flcralhaze @gloriousncss @whispcrings (not a group thread!): Evening of the Belated Betrothal Celebration at the Twin Souls Courtyard
He knows where he is not welcome. The news of Japan and Turkey's betrothal celebration reaches the far edges of the De Alcantara's palace within hours. And for Rahmi, on the outside looking in even when he was part of the Abdul family, it settles like a quiet ache in his bones. Another life event - birthdays, babies, betrothals - that he could never be a part of. The blood on his hands present, even as he walks clean with them. Rahmi moves through the Palace subtly, keeping his head low and his eyes open. The last thing he would do is take away from a momentous occasion, but before he can escape into the Ratisif's chambers. He hears it. The familiar clearing of one's throat, like an echo of a warning. "Who goes there?"
Dilara's jaw had practically fallen past her golden gown and onto the floor when her eldest brother's voice broke the silence. Briefly, the sultana had thought she'd seen a ghost, the glow of a happy engagement ball radiating across her skin, chestnut tresses adorned with both symbols of Japan and Turkey to accompany her blushing face, all consciously blinding her from any strife. She was so insistent on ensuring that her family would remember her for how much she loved them, but after The Reckoning, Rahmi was to be the exception. It was her hope that he would never have the gaul to show his face, so that she would not have to re-visit the pain. "Your sister," she bit down into the word, which she'd assume would have no meaning to him at all, "You should not have come." She could not let any whispers of Rahmi's arrival deter attention from the happy engagement, lest it ruin Kaito's night. "Does..." the words got caught in her throat, imagining the kind of betrayal, the kind of pain that must be seeping through these walls, "Does Rostam know? That you have arrived here?"
@dulcetmade ( victoria & kimara ) location: the birthday garden picnic
"I must admit," Victoria grumbled as one sweet after another passed her gently painted lips her servants no longer felt the need to try to add a shade of color to her mouth, as she would wipe it all away with treats in mere minutes anyway, "I was not expecting for Brazil to have my favorite desserts along my travels thus far." My travels. Never in a million years did she think she would ever say such words out of the context of the trips she'd make in her imagination. Princess Victoria, the world traveler had finally come to see the light of day, but she only wished it felt as glorious as it seemed. "Though... Ethiopia's coffee was quite lovely, once one can amend its bitter taste, wouldn't you agree?"
@flcralhaze ( victoria & edvard ) location: the twin soul courtyard
Victoria was not so foolish to believe that death did not exist, let alone in such a sudden and devastating form, but it was so easy to avoid it all and idealize it within the cozy walls of Norway's palace. Now that the horrors had arrived upon the very same ship that belonged to her safe place, her home land, it was becoming more difficult with each passing hour not to feel like her perfect world was crumbling. The outside was supposed to be exciting and fun, not... scary. "I don't feel very much like socializing today, Teddy..." she muttered, gazing into the pool of fish as she sat upon a bench that blanketed her being in trees, "Do you think you could convince your parents to not let me attend the festivities...?" There would far too much uncertainty out in the open. What could await her at a party these days? Pain? Suffering? What a shame, to dream of getting out only to wish to crawl back in.
