(this delightful poster is courtesy of our lovely host @sazanes!!)
KTAW 2022 | KTAW 2023
Day 1: Culture/Festivals
Culture
Fanfic
Holi: The Festival of Colours, Love and Spring by @masked-alien-lesbian
Laylat al-Henna by @lizzybeth1986
Festivals
Art
A Bouquet at the Flower Festival by @cassiopeiacorvus
Kiara as Rowan Thorn at the Five Kingdoms Festival by @sazanes
Day 2: Character Appreciation/Throwback
Character Appreciation
Art
Très Embarrassant 2.0 by @sazanes
Moodboard
Kiara by @masked-alien-lesbian
Edit
SpreadJoy Quote: Kiara Theron by @storyofmychoices
Video Edit
Character Appreciation by @a-cloud-for-dreams
Throwback
Fanfic
It Takes A Village by @lizzybeth1986
Midterms by @mand-delemonde
Ours by @mand-delemonde
Day 3: Languages/Wine
Languages
Art
Kiara's Passion for Languages by @sazanes
Fanfic
A Child of Babel by @lizzybeth1986
Wine
Fanfic
Wine Aren't You Mine? by @masked-alien-lesbian
Day 4: Diplomacy/Nature
Diplomacy
Fanfic
the art, the science by @exbex
Nature
Art
All Set for the Apple Blossom Festival! by @sazanes
Edit
Kiara the Fae Queen by @masked-alien-lesbian
Moodboard
Bellemere/Castelserraillan by @lizzybeth1986
Day 5: Family/Friendship/Romance
Family
Headcanon
Kiara in Relationships: Platonic, Romantic and Familial by @masked-alien-lesbian
Friendships
Fanfic
Too Little, But (Perhaps Not) Too Late by @lizzybeth1986 (Kiara & Penelope)
Romance
Art
"Every day with you is a priceless gift" by @sazanes (Kiara x Hana)
--
Note: If you still have a piece/idea for a piece that you weren't able to post during the week - fret not!! This masterlist will be open for entries all year! Don't forget to tag this blog or its hosts when you post any content you want to send for KTAW!!
Here are the themes if you want to reference them.
Until next year - thank you so much to all our contributors! To our readers, all the pieces sent here are incredible and we hope you get as much pleasure looking through these amazing works as we did!!
(this amazing video was made by our lovely host @sazanes!! Don't forget to show her plenty of love in the comments and reblogs!)
We have just wrapped up our third edition of the Kiara Theron Appreciation Week!!
And what a week indeed it has been. We got some incredible art, moodboards, edits, headcanons, fanfic and even video edits created to celebrate this wonderful character. We also saw plenty of new faces this time, and they really wowed us with their work đđ We simply cannot wait for you all to see our masterlist.
To our CONTRIBUTORS, your work and your immense enthusiasm makes all of this organizing so, so worth it. Thank you so much for making this week such a joy to run.
Our FAN COMMUNITY BLOGS have been an amazing source of support for our event, and it was so much fun to promote and participate in the events they were hosting too!! Thank you so much for your dedication to promoting fandom creativity!!
And how can we ever forget our SIGNAL BOOSTERS!! You all never fail to promote these events and get people involved. We have also seen you encourage your friends and fellow writers and artists, and it really warms our hearts to see this level of support. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and love â¤ď¸â¤ď¸â¤ď¸
The masterlist is already done, and will be up on the blog soon. It promises some wonderful fanfic, art and various posts!
We know that some of you had planned to be part of the week, and couldn't for very valid reasons. Please don't worry or be disheartened - the KTAW 2024 Masterlist will be open ALL YEAR ROUND for entries until the date of the next event. So please don't hesitate to send in your work, and tag the hosts in it too so we know to put it up on the masterlist!!
It has been an incredible couple of weeks with you all! So for the last time this year we will say...
Pairing: Kiara & Penelope (platonic). Hints of Hana x Kiara.
Word Count: 3, 085 words.
Summary: At King Liam and Duchess Esther's bachelorette party, Penelope has something to say to her best friend Kiara.
A/N: This is supposed to take place during the events of TRR3 Ch 16 (the MC's bachelorette), but with significant changes that will be a part of my series Petals and Thornes. Penelope's surname is Drammir, the bachelorette is not in Vegas but at CĂ´te d'Or in Cordonia, and by this point in the story Kiara and Hana are secretly a couple.
Tagging @kiaratheronappreciationweek for KTAW Day 5: Friendships, @choicesficwriterscreations for FotW, @choicesjunechallenge2024 for Ending/Beginning, @choicescommunityevents for Best Friend Day.
"Un Soixante Quinze, s'il vous plait."
Kiara has been to CĂ´te d'Or - and this nightclub - enough times that every bartender there knows without even looking at her that her favourite is a slightly tart French 75; Deirdre smiles, her eyes trained on a violet-coloured bottle somewhere.
"I'll do you one better, Lady Kiara. How about some Empress Gin and a dash of lime?"
Kiara's laughter is a silent gurgle in her throat rather than the court-appropriate tinkle or a loud cackle (that for some reason, Hana seems to love so much), the amusement making her eyes light up. "That'll be fun."
Far more fun at least than watching half the court pair up for dancing from the sidelines, knowing she can't do the same. Yet.
She tries to make the sideways glance towards the other side of the bar look casual, but damn if Hana doesn't make it hard. In a black velvet minidress studded with diamantĂŠ, like stars in the night sky, she looks good enough to eat. There is a faraway, dreamlike feel to the way she stares, unseeing, at the opposite wall; Kiara shudders. The same dreams haunt her during the day too.
Olivia seems to be sashaying her way to the bar, and Kiara turns away, swallowing. That woman has a knack for noticing everything and using that skill against everyone around her in the worst ways. Neither she nor Hana need the additional humiliation of being caught by Olivia Nevrakis of all people, before they're truly ready.
She jumps as she hears a jaunty hello right behind her. It's Penelope - practically prancing her way to Kiara from her spot on the dance floor, flushed and happy, several tendrils of hair out of place and her lips rosier than usual. Kiara instinctively searches the crowd for her brother Ezekiel, and finds him talking to a minor noble some distance away, the dishevelment of his hair barely noticeable.
Kiara smiles back at Penelope. Clearly this night isn't going to be just a celebration of King Liam and Queen Esther's very obviously romantic union, but also a chance for the many couples that have expressed and given into being open about their love in the wake of that passionate love story. Cordonia seems to be changing, Kiara thinks, with a brief pang (she tries...really hard this time...not to look over at Hana again), right in front of her very eyes.
Penelope's attention has already shifted to the way Deirdre masterfully mixes Kiara's drink. The gin and the simple syrup had already been mixed and shaken before Penelope made her appearance; Deirdre's now getting to what Kiara is certain Penelope would consider the fun part. She squeezes out a wedge of lime, quietly stealing a glance at her audience of two as the drink's hue changes from clear to a rather vibrant shade of purple.
"Ohhhh," Penelope's gasp comes out in a burst of pleasure.
"Empress 1908 Gin," Kiara whispers to her, "they infuse the concoction with butterfly pea blossoms. They change colour when you add anything acidic to it."
Penelope handwaves the information away with the carelessness she gives most pretty things - it only matters that they look pretty; she couldn't care less for the process that got those things there.
Much as Kiara doesn't like to admit it...the word "carelessness" does seem to be the apt word to define how Penelope goes through her life.
Carelessness in court. Carelessness in her everyday life. Carelessness with belongings, with tasks, with people. Even the ones she genuinely believes (and she does. Truly) she loves.
Part of it - Kiara is aware - has to do with how overwhelming court life, on its own, can be for her. Penelope may have exaggerated a lot of the hardships she seems to face, but this she has never once lied about.
Navigating court is hard enough, even for Kiara herself sometimes, but for Penelope it's downright like a doe entering a den of lions. For every one thing she manages to get right, Penelope has to fear the hundred things she'll fumble at doing. At some point you just get resigned to the possibility that a good day might be one where you made fifteen mistakes rather than fifty.
But anyone who stays around Penelope long enough knows that there is a inherent lack of urgency about her, a certain reluctance to think things through, a certain comfort with being tended to, getting pampered, being let off out of sympathy even as her choices wreak havoc. A tendency to consider only her comforts and no one else's.
It isn't meant maliciously. These things just don't occur to her.
Kiara meets Penelope's eyes once, then nods and turns to Deirdre with an order for a strawberry daiquiri. Penelope passes her a grateful glance, relieved at having that decision taken out of her hands.
Kiara sighs. There are a great many things you learn to get used to as Penelope Drammir's best friend - her indecision and passivity being one of them. She shakes her head as she absently twirls her stirrer over her drink. The days Kiara allows herself to think the sense of annoyance she used to have (way back during the engagement tour) around Penelope are few and far between, and she feels guilty of doing her friend a disservice whenever she does. Of being ungenerous, judgemental.
Of abandoning empathy. Even if empathy is a gift she hardly expects to get herself from...well, from anyone.
Kiara steals another glance towards the other end of the bar. Hana and Olivia are standing side by side, their eyes never leaving the dancing couples. From time to time Olivia seems to say something (and Kiara almost bites down her cheek to stop herself from going there and rising to Hana's defense, in case it's something nasty). If Hana is affected, you couldn't tell - so nonchalant is her stance against the bar.
Hana's words from a week ago - warm and soothing and smelling of melted chocolate - still ring in Kiara's ears. You deserve to have people you can lean on, Kiara. As much as anyone else. You need to be able to depend on your friends sometimes too.
Her hand barely ghosts over her side, but Kiara doesn't allow it to linger there. She allows the words to wash over her, like balm. Like some sort of elixir that she hopes will heal her, slowly, spreading its warmth and sweetness in small trickles, taking away the hurt and resentment and self-derision bit by bit.
When she's calm enough to turn to Penelope's side again, she catches her friend staring.
Her eyes no longer on her dairiquiri; she stirs it absently, very much the way Kiara just did a few minutes ago. Those very eyes are suddenly a deeper blue, a darker shade, her gaze more intent and more serious than anything she has ever seen from Penelope in all the years they've known each other.
Kiara takes a nervous sip of her drink (sweet. tart. refreshing), her laughter betraying a slight discomfort. "You're staring at me like I've grown an extra head."
Penelope's gaze doesn't shift back to her usual, unfocused flitting of the eyes from corner to corner - the intensity of her look makes Kiara shift a little in her seat. For all her faults, seeing Penelope be her usual thoughtless, fickle-minded self - always distracted by the newest shiny object or the antics of the nearest dog - has always been reassuring.
"I...I haven't been a very good friend to you, Kiki, have I," Penelope says, quietly.
She says it as if it isn't a question but a statement, as if she has thought enough about it that it has become an already-unquestionable fact in her mind - that for a few moments Kiara finds it hard to say anything in response.
"What makes you say that, Nena?" She says, using that old affectionate nickname that Penelope only allows family and close friends to use with her.
Penelope fiddles with the shell bracelet she usually wears with the dress she's wearing, a sumptuous affair in her house colours - completely inappropriate for Esther's bachelorette (they're all supposed to wear dark or muted colours so the bride could shine in her sparkly gold outfit) but because it's Esther - who honestly couldn't care less - Penelope managed to get away with it.
Much like she has managed to get away with a great deal of things, Kiara realises with an unfortunate twist in her gut. A terrible court performance. Being involved in smearing another courtier's name (learning about that during the engagement tour, and realising Penelope was comfortable expecting friendship from the woman she did that to and never bothered to let Kiara herself know almost ended their friendship for good). Wanting Esther and her friends to pamper her within an inch of her life if they wanted her to accompany them for their tour, even though her past conduct demanded - ethically - that she at least offer unconditional support.
(And never, ever once asking about how she was healing after she was released from hospital. But that was something, perhaps, that she couldn't lay blame on Penelope alone for. For the longest time, her injury really seemed to matter that little to most).
And whether or not Penelope seems to realize how good she has had it without making enough effort from her end, yet...she certainly seems to have made a good enough start right now.
Penelope's voice goes a little softer, her eyes suddenly unable to meet Kiara's. "I think it's all the time Zeke and I have been spending together," she says, one fingernail tracing the seam of a fake shell. "He's been feeling a bit guilty himself, you know. He always tells me he's the older one, he's the one who should be taking care of you...but it's you always playing that role instead."
Kiara winces. "Well... he's never asked that of me, has he?"
Has it been like that, really? Has it? All she knows of her relationship with Zeke is how often she loses patience with him when his reluctance to move out of his safe zone creates problems, either for himself or their family. It's the one thing she has always felt a little guilty about - as much as she has felt whenever she got frustrated with Penelope.
"That's the worst part, he says. That he let you adopt that role, and never give you the same level of support. That of course you find him a little hard to understand, but that never stopped you from trying to help. And of course you never ask for any help in return, but there were so many times you should have gotten it from him anyway," Penelope's sigh comes out in a shuddering breath, and Kiara notices a redness creeping up to her cheeks from her neck. "I never realised until he said that, that I've treated you that way too."
When Penelope looks at Kiara this time, her lashes are spiky with tears. Kiara tries to swallow the lump in her own throat, suddenly overwhelmed.
For a while now, these were thoughts Kiara did have. Thoughts she tried to quash in the many, many hours she spent struggling to move on that hospital bed without feeling that pain on her side and being reminded - again and again and again - how she got hurt there. Thoughts that terrified her so much she suppressed them, a mixture of relief and disappointment when no one, not even her close friends, seemed to find what happened to her important enough to remember.
These were thoughts she could only allow herself to have for no more than a few minutes. They would damn near destroy her if she thought about them any longer than that.
These were the thoughts that made her want to kick herself for being so ungenerous and petty and judgemental. To hear those same words, the words she only allowed herself to think in her darkest, most bitter moments, from Penelope's mouth - without blame, without censure - and to know that Zeke has felt it too...there is a burn in Kiara's throat that she knows won't leave for a long, long time.
Oh, no, Nena, a part of Kiara still wants to say, you're a wonderful friend. Those words, constantly at the tip of her tongue whenever Penelope gets into one of her melancholy, self-pitying moods, seem to haunt Kiara again, urging her to keep their friendship the way it is. Unequal. Unbalanced. Practically one-sided. Kiara forever as protector, Penelope forever as protected.
Hana's words come back to her - a balm to her bruised spirit.
You need to depend on your friends too.
"I may not have been the friend you needed all this time, Kiki," Penelope whispers, "but from today, I promise you I'll really try."
As Kiara does in the rare occasions she finds herself overcome with emotion, she lets out a wavering, watery laugh.
All this time, all this guilt and self-blame...for not being the kind of friend most people would insist Penelope needed. All this resentment, that people would think long and hard about what it meant to be Olivia's friend and catering to her needs. Or Penelope's. Or even (ugh) Madeleine's. But not Kiara's. Never Kiara's.
Will Penelope change that? She doesn't know yet. But damn does it feel good that she cares enough to try.
"I don't know how to respond to this yet, Nena. But I need you to know that I appreciate this. Truly."
Putting her daiquiri down, Penelope crushes her in an impulsive hug that almost sends tiny purple droplets of Kiara's drink flying onto her outfit. Neither of them notice.
They part, reluctantly, and spend the rest of their time together drinking in companiable silence as the vibrations from the nightclub's loud music thumps on the floor beneath them. When the tune changes to a slower, more romantic tune, Kiara can't stop herself from taking a peek at the other side of the bar.
Penelope follows her gaze, and smiles when it lands on Hana. "You should go there."
"Hmm?" Kiara murmurs, barely hearing Penelope. Hana and Olivia are still talking, but the vibes feel vastly different to what Kiara saw five minutes ago. Now Hana is the one slightly smiling, like the cat who got the cream, and Olivia looks surprisingly...pale? Perhaps a little ill?
Definitely not as smug as she seemed when she sauntered her way to Hana's side.
She isn't sure how that came about, but the possibility that Hana may have had something to do with it does fill her with an odd sort of pride. The kind of pride that makes her want to point to Hana in front of a crowd of twenty-plus nobles and announce, as loud as she can, "that's my girlfriend!!"
Penelope giggles so hard she almost snorts her drink out of her nose. "Go get your girl, Kiki."
Kiara stares at Penelope for a minute, then self-consciously runs her palms over her own outfit. "Am I that obvious?"
Penelope is still giggling. "Only right now, and only because I'm literally standing next to you."
Kiara laughs, relieved. This love she shares with Hana is still her - their - secret. She wants it to be theirs - and theirs alone - just a little bit longer.
The strains of the love song currently playing feel a little out of place for this nightclub, but Kiara's feet are almost itching for a slow dance. Head over heels when toe to toe. This is the sound of my soul. By the way Hana is looking at her now - alone at the bar again - Kiara can tell she wants it too.
Penelope places a hand on Kiara's shoulder, taking her leave with a grin and a conspiratorial wink. "Zeke must be looking for me. Have fun, Kiki!" Clearly in a mood for generosity, she kisses Kiara on the cheek before she leaves.
When she reaches Hana's side, the other woman's gaze moves over her in the most leisurely pace known to man. Slow, sensual, soaked in knowing, promising more than just one dance. The soles of Kiara's feet tingle just from imagining the possibilities. She knows what they're going to be doing at least an hour (Kiara's being generous - she probably might not even last that long) from now.
(For a woman who has never slept with, well, anyone before, Hana seems to be quite adept in the art of seduction already. Kiara has to bite the inside of her cheek just to fight the urge to whisk her to her hotel room for the rest of the night)
"Lady Hana," Kiara says, holding out her hand and inwardly laughing at her own playful formality, "I believe I owe you a dance."
Hana breaks character, laughing delightedly. "A dance would be a good start."
Hana rests her head on Kiara's shoulder, her face nestled close to her collarbone. Her face is nestled close enough to Kiara's collarbone that she could breathe in her perfume if she wanted; she can feel Hana's long, deep inhale reverberate through her own body as she does. As Kiara runs a hand down Hana's back, she begins to sigh in tandem to the music too, drunk on her love for this woman. Ah ah ah haa haa. I know this much is true.
Even with her eyes closed, Kiara can feel the lights - deep purple and sea green - dancing behind her eyelids. The feel of Hana's palm against hers. A whiff of Gucci Bloom that comes and goes - that Kiara registers, instinctively, as the presence of her best friend stealing another dance with her brother. Kiara sighs happily.
Tomorrow might be as hard to live through as yesterday was, as this morning was, as every morning has been since this tour began. But every once in a while, she's gifted with tiny miracles.
This evening - every bit of it - has been a tiny miracle. And if this tour has taught her anything, it's that the tiny miracles are often the most memorable ones.
Almost as if they can both sense a desire to come closer, Hana and Kiara tighten their arms around each other almost imperceptibly.
Kiara smiles, again. Tomorrow may be different. But today...today has been beautiful. Today has been perfect.
This night of miracles does seem to be in any hurry to leave, and she's going to embrace it with both hands.
--
References:
French 75 - a cocktail made from gin, champagne, lemon juice, and sugar. It is also called a 75 Cocktail, or in French simply a Soixante Quinze.
Learn more about Empress Gin gin French 75 here.
The song Hana and Kiara are dancing to at the end is "True" by Spandau Ballet.
A/N1: I hint at a scene that is not part of canon but that will eventually show up at this point of the story when I write it in Petals and Thornes (basically Hana and Olivia talking. I won't be talking about it here, but it will be a major scene from Hana's PoV at this point in the story).
A/N2: Often, when the fandom speaks about the Kiara and Penelope friendship, there tends to be a lot of sympathy for Penelope and criticism for Kiara. But when you take a closer look at canon, the opposite applies. The narrative tends to center this friendship on Penelope alone, with Kiara needing to constantly worry and protect her, and Penelope rarely ever showing the same regard or concern for Kiara. It's a grossly imbalanced friendship, and I did want some acknowledgement of that.
A big thank you to @thecapturedafrique for suggesting this title đđ
KTAW 2024 may be officially over, but our bonus week starts tomorrow! You all can still send in our entries until June 1st (I may try to extend the date based on how many people would like to give in their pieces, but it's June 1st for now) and we will make our Thank You video shortly after.
In case you would like to take a look at any of the themes, you can check the links here!!
We would also like you to know that KTAW will still be open for entries, all year round. Do tag us any time of the year and we'll put the work up!
It's been great seeing the wonderful entries so far, and we've thoroughly enjoyed ALL your work during KTAW! Hope we get to see more during the bonus week đ
KTAW 2024 may be officially over, but our bonus week starts tomorrow! You all can still send in our entries until June 1st (I may try to extend the date based on how many people would like to give in their pieces, but it's June 1st for now) and we will make our Thank You video shortly after.
In case you would like to take a look at any of the themes, you can check the links here!!
We would also like you to know that KTAW will still be open for entries, all year round. Do tag us any time of the year and we'll put the work up!
It's been great seeing the wonderful entries so far, and we've thoroughly enjoyed ALL your work during KTAW! Hope we get to see more during the bonus week đ
A look into what Kiara is like in relationships be it a platonic friendly relationship, romantic or familial.(Imo anyway)
Platonic: Kiara as a friend
⥠As courteous, polite, and well mannered as Kiara is, it's actually takes a little bit to become close to Kiara. She reminds me of an onion, with numerous layers. She keeps her cards close to her chest and isn't naive to trust newcomers at first. She is used to how catty some of the noble women can be and is able to navigate the minefield that the court can be. She is also aware that with her social and financial status, people can and have tried to get close to her to use her in some way. So it takes a little bit for her to trust someone who genuinely wants to get to know her.
⥠As she gets more comfortable around you, you find out she is a very observant and witty person. Her humor is a little dry, subtle, and unexpected which is why she's funnier than you expect. She's not a stand up comedian by any means, but if she trusts you, any boring gala or ball is exponentially more entertaining when it's just the two of you.
⥠Again, she's very observant, she can tell when you're upset or hiding something. She won't point it out to you in a social setting in case of embarrassing you but when she can get you alone, she'll ask you what is bothering you. If you don't feel like talking about it, she won't pressure you, she'll just let you know she's available if you need anything. If you want to vent though, she's a good listener. And if you want answers, she's very practical to helping you find a solution.
Kiara in Romantic Relationships
đš Kiara is a practical person and very duty minded. She had planned to marry someone who would benefit Castelsarrelian and Cordonia, feelings involved or not. So when she fell in love with you, it was not expected. It wasn't what she had planned, so at first she throws herself in her work and tries to ignore her feelings. Eventually though she realizes the feelings aren't going away, she'll try to rationalize her feelings, weighing the pros and cons of a relationship with you. Finally I feel like this when Kiara's mother Joelle, will give her a valuable lesson on following her heart. Joelle saw how her daughter is with you and sees a kind and gentle spirit in you. Hakim just wants his daughter to be happy and trusts in her intuition. With her parents approval, she finds the courage to pursue you.
đš Kiara isn't into big grand gestures, it's the little signs that show the depth of her feelings for you. She knows what you like, being an observant person that she is, she'll present you with whatever you're currently into, the food you love and support you in your favorite hobby or activity. She'll give you what is most precious to her, her time. Showing she cares and wants to spend time with you is her love language.
đš Courting and being in a romantic relationship with Kiara feels like coming home. She generates the feeling of safety. She's level headed, stable, warm and loving. What you see is what you get with Kiara, she's not into playing games so you'll never have to guess with her, just ask her.
đš Overall she's just green flags. She's mature, not clingy or a jealous person. She's a busy person so having someone who has separate interests who can occupy themselves when she can't be there is preferred. Though she can get busy she loves when you leave her little notes, text messages, videos or voice-mails for her to read/see/listen to when things slow down. It helps remind her that she has someone at home waiting for her in the early days of your relationship.
Kiara's Family Life
⥠I actually see her being fine without kids. She has a busy fulfilling life with her diplomatic work, her duchess duties, keeping up with her friends and her life with her partner/spouse. But if her significant other really wants children, she's happy to become a mother if her SO wants to carry a child or adopt.
⥠She's a loving mother and wife. Originally her work was to better Cordonia but now making sure you and her children are taken care of is at the forefront. You may have to remind her to stop and smell the roses and enjoy the little milestone with her family but she wants to be present in yours and the kids lives so she immediately begins to cut her long hours.
⥠She's open to couple and family therapy if you and her or your family are going through a rough patch. But she is open to clear communication and is considerate of your feelings so as long as you're open to the same and meet her halfway, the two of you will be together even when you're old and gray!
KTAW 2024 may be officially over, but our bonus week starts tomorrow! You all can still send in our entries until June 1st (I may try to extend the date based on how many people would like to give in their pieces, but it's June 1st for now) and we will make our Thank You video shortly after.
In case you would like to take a look at any of the themes, you can check the links here!!
We would also like you to know that KTAW will still be open for entries, all year round. Do tag us any time of the year and we'll put the work up!
It's been great seeing the wonderful entries so far, and we've thoroughly enjoyed ALL your work during KTAW! Hope we get to see more during the bonus week đ
We're on our final day of KTAW 2024!! It's been wonderful to see the entries so far - we saw some new faces and lots of fresh stories, and every work we've got so far has shown such love and admiration for a character so often overlooked!
Our final theme(s) tomorrow are pretty simple and straightforward! This day is about exploring how Kiara navigates her relationships with people - Familial, Platonic or Romantic! We all know she is protective of the people she loves even if she may not fully understand their way of dealing with their problems. It would be great to see how our Kiara fans will look at these dynamics!
Any content is welcome!! Just make sure your work centers Kiara, and presents a positive depiction of her. Fic, art, meta, headcanons, edits, icons, interactive media, even simple character appreciation posts!! We also accept WIPs, so if your piece isn't entirely complete by the end of the week, fret not - you can still send us the WIPs!
The themes are simply inspirations. If you bring a piece for one of the days later, it's entirely okay...just make sure you tag the posts with the day you meant it for! We will always be keeping a bonus week in case you couldn't complete the piece during the week itself, so our official deadline for pieces will be June 1st!
We'd also like all of you to know that KTAW 2024 will be open ALL YEAR ROUND. So if you're unable to finish a piece before June 1st, pls do send it whenever you're ready to (and tag us!), and it will definitely be up on our masterlist!!
Be sure to do the following when you send in your work:
1. Use the tags #kiaratheronappreciationweek and #KTAW in your posts. Make sure to tag the day as well (#KTAW Day 1, #KTAW Day 2, etc)
2. Tag @kiaratheronappreciationweek, as well as hosts @sazanes and @lizzybeth1986
Fan Community blogs are super important to our promotion of events, so we'd definitely love for you to check out some of these awesome blogs and their challenges:
@choicesficwriterscreations - Primarily fanfic and fanart (no AI allowed). Check out their rules and roster of events!
@choicesmonthlychallenge and @choicesmaychallenge24 - Any and all content welcome! This month's prompts are delightfully Greek mythology-themed!
@choicespride - Any and all content welcome, as long as it centers LGBTQ+ characters and/or themes! They will be hosting this year's pride event soon!
@choicesholidays - Any and all content welcome, as long as it is centered around one of the holidays listed! Currently, they are hosting Spring Fling!
@choicesprompts - Any and all content welcome! Currently no events, but you could check out all the cool stuff they've been up to so far!
@choicescommunityevents - Any and all art welcome as long as it is on-theme! Currently hosting the AAPI Heritage Month!
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Kiara Theron x f!OC brief mention of Liam x Riley, Hana x Raelyn and Penelope x Ezekiel
The lunch Lord Breckenridge hosted for Kiara went well, nothing outwardly stood out to her. His manners were excellent, his conversation was engaging and he was the sort of man her parents could hope for in a son-in-law but...
"How did the date go?" Riley's text message blink back at her from her phone. Kiara bit her lip. She was grateful for Riley's attempt at matchmaking but every date missed the mark somehow. And the reason for that filtered through a row of grapes in her vineyard.
"Jag släppte dig men jag kommer att älska dig fÜr alltid." [I let you go, but I will love you forever.] Kiara turned the corner and saw the most beautiful woman she ever saw singing in her own native language. When Allie looked up, she abruptly stopped and seemed to light up from the inside from the sight of Kiara.
"Your Grace! A good evening to you! You look ever so beautiful as usual." Allie says blushing at her own attempt at flirting.
Kiara smiles back, Allie had came to work at Castelsarrelian vineyards at Monsieur BĂŞron request. Hailing from Sweden, Allie had studied from the best in Italy before being snatched up, trained and became the head viticulturist after Monsieur BĂŞron retired. Kiara's mother worked with Monsieur in hauling all the finest French soil to start up their vineyards, Allie was the one who made sure it kept thriving.
"HallĂĽ Ms. Larsson. How are you?" Kiara asks, delighting in the obvious attraction her viticulturist has for her. Allie may have thought she was being sly with her crush on her boss but Kiara had studied people and social cues at a very young age and she noticed how shy Allie became around her, how she blushed and stumbled over her words when Kiara looked at her. Kiara knew nothing could come from this relationship, it was inappropriate but she still found herself itching to touch the Swedish born woman's jaw, to lift her chin, to--Kiara mentally shook her head to clear it.
"I'm well! I was testing the pH levels of quadrant C's soil. After that intense storm we've had, some of the other quadrants soil was swept in quadrant C." Allie says clearly in her element.
"You work hard for me, Ms. Larsson, I'm ever grateful for you, tack. [Thank you]" Kiara says watching Allie's eyes lower coyly.
"Of course, anything you need of me, is yours, your grace." Allie says sending warmth to shoot through Kiara. She needed to get away before she lost her composure. She clears her throat and step back.
"I appreciate it, Ms. Larsson, I will allow you to get back to your work--"
"Wait, please your grace," Allie interrupts, a light touch on Kiara's wrist and big pleading hazel eyes, Kiara suddenly realized she'd throw everything away for this woman and that terrified her.
"The special Malbec that Monsieur cultivated should have aged properly, I was thinking we could taste it and make sure, and perhaps serve it for your parents' anniversary party next week."
"The wine from the last crop Monsieur BĂŞron oversaw before his retirement? Has it really been that long? That would be a nice touch for mother and father." Kiara says thoughtfully. Allie beam.
"I'll crack a bottle open with some refreshments. Meet me in the wine cellar in five!" Allie says before taking off excitedly.
Kiara looks over the tray of prosciutto, Asiago Tarragon and the bottle of Malbec, all proper appetizers that would pair well with a Malbec. Allie pops the cork and pours the both of them a glass. One taste and Kiara knew it was going to be a hit at her parents' anniversary party. It was a fruit bomb, round, smooth, fleshy...Kiara's eyes swept over Allie's lips.
"So? Your opinion?" Kiara inquires. Allie shrugs, swirls the Malbec in her glass.
"It's good. Definitely a crowd pleaser."
"But not your favorite?" Kiara asks. Allie grins.
"Give me a Shiraz any day of the week. Rich, full-bodied, velvety..." Allie says her eyes fluttering up to meet Kiara's. Kiara takes a sharp breath but let's it out when Allie changes the topic.
Even though Kiara has always tried to keep boundaries between her and the viticulturist, it was just so easy to talk to Allie. Soon she was talking about Riley's matchmaking attempts.
"I-I don't know. Perhaps I'm just too busy to maintain a relationship." Kiara trails off.
"Or perhaps, you're afraid."
"Excusez-moi?" Kiara says an eyebrow raised. Allie smiles kindly.
"You're afraid of opening yourself up to someone, of being vulnerable." Allie looks down and bites her lip. "Perhaps you're afraid of what other people will say or perhaps," Allie breathes out a shaky breath, "perhaps you're concerned that the one you want isn't able to provide for you and Castelsarrelian?" Kiara shakes her head in the negative.
"No, you ARE enough Allie, I-" Kiara trails off as she realized she finally voiced what was between her and Allie. She close her eyes as she mentally face palm but her eyes shot open when she felt Allie take her hands.
"It's rare when you find that one that lights up your soul, you know. If you let it slip away, it can be your biggest mistake." Allie says, Kiara looks away biting her lip. " But I'll never push you, I have too much respect for you." When Allie let go of Kiara's hands, she felt bereft. Kiara looked up to see Allie gathering the plates and their leftovers.
"I'll return these to the kitchens and head on home. Goodnight, your grace, mĂĽ dina drĂśmmar vara trevliga." [May your dreams be pleasant] Allie says smiling wistfully at Kiara before slipping out of the cellar.
Alone, Kiara contemplates the conversation she just had with Allie. So...they both have feelings for each other...a duchess and her viticulturist...it's not proper, the power imbalance alone, and yet...despite many people's disapproval...Kiara felt an ache that demanded her to go after Allie. She stood up sharply. Perhaps Allie could report to Joelle instead of Kiara. If Penelope could marry a vet, Hana could marry a previously undiscovered artist, and King Liam could marry a waitress, then Kiara could court a viticulturist. And with that firm decision, Kiara went after her.
âI thought you wanted a job, not a husband.â Coming from anyone else, the statement would have been naĂŻve, or perhaps condescending. But it had come from Riley Zane, who didnât inhabit the world of the Cordonian Court, but who also wasnât as jejeune as many had dismissed her to be. From the first, there had been a shrewdness to her that Kiara found a bit unsettling, though not that surprising.
Everyone had secrets, after all. Kiara suspected that Rileyâs were as nebulous as her motives. The woman had a Masterâs degree in political science from Columbia University, but she had thrown her hat in to compete for a practice that she couldnât quite hide her disdain for. Not everyone at Court could see it, but Kiara had more practice than some at reading others. Her parents had taught her that she would need such a skill, in their world and in the outside world alike.
Hiding her disdain was also something Kiara had practice in. She didnât have the luxury of rolling her eyes at Madeleineâs directive.
âI do, but it never hurts to have both.â In truth, Kiara had no interest in a marriage that didnât resemble her parentsâ with their mutual respect and admiration. But that was a truth she kept close to her chest.
Of course, some people were remarkably oblivious to the truth.
 âHana is much more than beautiful. Sheâs also kind, witty, brilliant, and quite a talented baker.â
No one else seemed to be catching on to the fondness in Rileyâs gaze as she spoke about Hana, the way her eyes locked with Hanaâs, and the blush on Hanaâs cheeks that had nothing to do with the attention the two men were giving her.
âThat is quite the endorsement, Lady Hana. Do you have any other references?â
âReferences?â Kiara couldnât hide her surprise.
âA wife isnât unlike an employee or business partner. Itâs important to hear from those who know the candidate to ensure a good fit,â Rashad explained.
Well. Kiara could understand Rashadâs business-mindedness, to a point. But it struck her as rather arrogant for Rashad to eschew social graces for such bluntness.
âIndeed,â Neville nodded. âReputation is everything at court. Itâs a pleasure to encounter a lady with such a good one.â
If Riley picked up on what may have been a bit of a dig toward her (and Kiara would wager that she did) she didnât care. âItâs very well-deserved,â she said, eyes settling on Hana again.
Well this was interesting. Riley was clearly interested in Hana, an interest that Hana likely returned, based on the interactions Kiara had observed, interactions that could easily be passed off as friendship if one wasnât paying very close attention to body language and expression. Yet they both understood the need for Hana to make a potential match. Of course it also begged the question of what Riley was up to, if the photographs of her with Tariq told the entire story.
âYou should meet my poodles!â Penelope said abruptly, distracting Kiara from her train of thought. âDogs are the best references; they have a sense about people.â
That must be⌠a joke?â Rashad said, hesitating.
âEr⌠yeah,â she agreed. âJust a funny, silly jokeâŚâ
Kiara cringed inwardly. Penelope was eccentric, but she didnât have the wit to leverage it to her advantage.
âLady Kiara,â Rashad began, moving his attention away from Penelope. âI understand you plan to work in the foreign ministry? I admire your ambition.â
 Kiara put on a charming smile. Rashad wasnât a terrible prospect, but she needed to buy herself some time, play a long game in order to decipher whether Madeleineâs promise to wield her connections for Kiara would be fulfilled. Besides, Kiara had her standards. A European man, particularly an international businessman, ought to be multilingual. âOui, Monsieur Rashad. Ce serait un saint-graal pour moi.â
 âIâm sorry, I donât speak French,â he replied, looking a little baffled.
Rileyâs eyebrows raised long enough for Kiara to notice. Kiara could relate to her surprise. Still, Rashad wasnât a lost cause. Probably.
â Entschuldigung?â
Neville perked up before Rashad could respond. âIs that German? Such a beautiful language.â
Kiara wasnât sure if he was being sincere or if he thought that would impress her, but an awkward silence ensued.
âYou know, Hana is very ambitious! She masters anything she puts her mind to,â Riley said. It was a bit abrupt, but Kiara found herself grateful for the distraction.
âThat is very impressive, Lady Hana,â Rashad agreed.
 âYes, the court is a demanding place. I have learned a lot in my time here,â Hana said.
âYouâre too humble, Hana. You have excelled here because you prepared,â Riley said, giving Hana the adoring look again.
 Hana smiled, nodding. âI guess I have worked hard for this.â
âPreparation is the soul of success,â Rashad noted.
 âThatâs what I always say!â Riley flashed a too-wide smile.
Neville sighed. âThe court certainly is dog-eat-dog. It is most impressive for anyone to survive with their character intact.â
âDog-eat-dog?â Penelope gasped. âIâve never heard of anything so barbaric!â
 âItâs an expressionâŚâ Neville said slowly, his brows furrowed in confusion.
 Rashad looked to Neville and lowered his voice slightly. âMaybe we should keep the conversation simple for Lady Penelopeâs sake.â
âOhâŚâ Penelope trailed off, her lip quivering. Kiara wracked her brain for something to say that might distract her.
âSo Rashad, what do you do for the ole nine to five?â Riley asked. Her stance shifted. Kiara wondered what her game was.
 âI am a partner at Sloan Enterprises, where I primarily handle legal matters.â Rashad answered.
âUn entrepreneur?â Kiara asked, cocking her head to the side. If he couldnât decipher cognates, then she would have to write him off entirely.
Rashad regarded her carefully before nodding once. âIndeed, though my business partner is the real visionary.â
âIf your partner is the brain, that must make you the looks,â Penelope flirted, smiling coyly at Rashad.
Rashad scowled. Â âIâm sure you intended that as flattery, but I contribute far more to the business than my looks.â
What it must be, to be a man and be allowed to be indignant over attitudes that women faced on a daily basis. Kiara could feel her patience stretching thin, diluting to a point that it wouldnât cover her annoyance in any language. While Penelopeâs statement had been cringeworthy at best, Rashad ought to be able to read people; he had grown up in the Court, would have trained in diplomacy not only at home but wherever he studied, would have honed his skills, ought to be able to see Penelopeâs awkwardness, see her eyes filling with tears.
âYou seemed hesitant to mention your title when Countess Madeleine made the introductions,â Hana said, deftly drawing Rashadâs attention.
Rashadâs anger was still etched in his face, but his features began to smooth out as he responded. âYes, well, I prefer to let my personal accomplishments speak for me, rather than my lineage.â Kiara felt some of her diplomacy returning. She could appreciate Rashadâs desire to be seen for his skills and not his surface attributes.
âAnd you, Lord Neville? What do you do?â Riley asked, her tone perfectly balanced with polite interest that was neither feigned nor overly eager.
âI help my father manage the affairs of Cormery Isle and my familyâs estate,â he explained flatly. âItâs quite a demanding job, and it usually keeps me away from court.â
âWell, it sounds like you could use someone like Hana. Someone who can be a perfect hostess at a royal ball just as easily as she can make you laugh after a long day of work.â Riley was hyping Hana up to absurd levels. Kiara wondered if she was being purposeful as a result of jealousy, or if she was calculating a future in which she was ensuring a stable future for Hana that might include a discreet affair. Kiara could appreciate the pragmatism, though it was a bit depressing to think about such a cynical possibility.
Nevilleâs look toward Hana was appreciative. âIf Lady Hana is all you say, a proposal may be imminent!â
 âA good partner is even more valuable than a good assistant,â Rashad agreed.
âI couldnât agree more!â Hana gave a dazzling smile, raising her glass as the two men clinked their glasses with her.
How romantic.
âGentlemen, I hate to interrupt, but there is someone else I would like to introduce you to,â Madeleine smoothly interrupted as she sauntered up to the group.
âOf course,â Rashad said, moving away from the group. âLadies, it has been a pleasure. Especially you, Lady Hana.â
Neville bowed again, his eyes on Hana. âUntil we meet again.â
âEnjoy the picnic!â Riley chirped, waving goodbye to the men as they followed Madeleine.
âI donât think that went very well for me,â Penelope mumbled, staring into her lemonade.
 âThere will be other suitors, Penelope,â Kiara gave her arm a light squeeze. Penelope was a pedestrian in a world of automobiles; fragile, but she had more adeptness than she appeared. Surely she would find another pedestrian. Someone kind.
Hana looked at Riley. âWhat did you think of the guys?â
âThey seemedâŚstable.â
âStable?â Hana chuckled. âThatâs⌠romantic.â
Kiara regarded the way the two women looked at one another. No, Hana wasnât yearning for stability.
âI donât know,â Hana mused. âDidnât they seem kind of⌠boring?â
Well that sealed it. Hana had found herself, Kiara would wager, a bit of a mystery in Riley. The woman almost certainly had secrets. No wonder she had been able to infiltrate the Court. The thought made Kiara slightly uneasy. Hana struck her as being something akin to a fawn, and Riley a wolf.
Tantalizing scents wafted through the air. Penelope turned as a waiter walked by with a tray. âMmmmm! Smells like my grandmotherâs curry chicken. I have to try it!â
Kiara felt her stomach rumble. âOh, grab me some!â She followed Penelope.
The chicken was well-seasoned and perfectly cooked, a welcome distraction from the mysteries and politics of Court. Kiara knew it was all par for the course, but it so often lacked the finesse, the communication of diplomacy, which had always struck her as more of a dance than a game of chess.
âShe wears it well.â
Kiara was shaken from her musings. âSorry?â
Penelope dabbed at her lips with her napkin. âRiley. Itâs a bold choice, to wear trousers. And an off the rack blouse. But she looks good. Charming. She knows how to choose clothing, I suppose is what Iâm saying.â
Kiara thought about the outfits Riley wore, how they were fitted but overall rather conservative, about how she was dressed practically today, about how her usually pinned up hair was styled today in a single braid off to the side. It was calculated, purposeful. Riley was an interesting person, could be an ally, in better circumstances, had the potential to be a formidable opponent.
âConfidence,â Kiara said. âRiley has a great deal of confidence.â And cleverness. Kiara wondered how much Riley had unveiled of her cleverness, wondered what she hoped to accomplish. Perhaps she had similar goals. She had shown skill in negotiation today, after all. But as ever, the question of whether it was worth it came to the forefront.
Kiara blinked. She supposed she could ask herself the same question. Surely there were other avenues to her career goals. She had also trained at a top university, after all. Then again, she lacked a certain freedom, due to her familyâs position as one of the Great Houses. It was a privilege that was saddled, always, with a precise need for delicate balance and tact.
Kiara suppressed a sigh and sipped her lemonade. Diplomacy was an art, one she enjoyed. But it was also a science, and with all sciences, it came with the tedium of observation, the holding of breath as one waited to see if the results would confirm the hypothesis.
