The Radiant Hero had reached out to ruffle her hair, like she was a child and not an Empress (and at one point, his employer). Like he didn’t understand that despite her status as a student, once they stepped off the monastery grounds, she would return to being an Empress. She whirls around, fiery eyes locking on Ike’s face to glare directly into his eyes.
“What was that for?” Her voice is sharp, like she’s practiced, but maybe too shrill for her liking. Her hands reach up to settle her hair back over her headband, struggling their way around baggy sleeves. “I don’t see how it’s relevant to the task ahead of us.” She shakes her head a final time to settle her hair back down, and crosses her arms. “Don’t do that again.”
Starter scenarios for the autumn season! Requested by anonymous. When sending to or from a multimuse, don’t forget to specify who the meme is for! Send a symbol for:
🍠 Our muses making a warm, hearty meal
🎃 Our muses carving Jack-O-Lanterns
🥧 Our muses baking pie
🍎 Our muses going apple picking
🥤 Our muses enjoying fresh apple cider
🥮 Our muses making Mooncake
🌰 Our muses gathering chestnuts to roast
👻 Our muses tell ghost stories around a campfire
🧶 Our muses doing needlework together
🦇 Our muses decorating for Halloween
🥣 Our muses making soup
🍆 Our muses exploring a farmer’s market
🌽 Our muses navigating a corn maze
🎞️ Our muses having a movie night
🏈 Our muses playing an autumn sport
🌳 Our muses wondering at the foliage
🍺 Our muses celebrating Oktoberfest (or just having drinks)
🍃 Our muses raking (and maybe planning to jump into a pile of leaves)
💐 Our muses making an autumn wreath
🍫 Our muses making s’mores
☕ Our muses drinking something warm on a cool evening
One day, you find yourself waking up thoroughly sore, scraping yourself off the floor of a Monastery classroom. As you strain to remember how you wound up there, you catch sight of your hand – except it’s not yours. Nor are the clothes you now wear, or the body beneath them. Your actual self is standing opposite you, staring back in shock and… covered in dust? Before things spiral further, the professor attempts to quell the growing chorus of unrest with an explanation, which also serves to jog your memory. This was supposed to be a seminar showcasing the magical properties of a magic tool from Tellius known as Warp Powder. Unfortunately, its volatile nature lends itself to many potential side-effects if mishandled… one of which is ripping people’s souls out and depositing them into the nearest acceptable vessel. The unbothered professor assures everyone that this “minor inconvenience” will wear off on its own eventually, and that the Monastery will still be expecting the completion of your usual assignments and duties in the meantime. [Grants Any Weapon +1]
Finn was a weapons professor. Occasionally, he dealt with riding and other tasks. He was a simple man with no eye for other means. Magic and all that sort of thing was out of his boundaries. A knight foremost and all, loyalty and his lance were all he needed. So when the monastery asked him to demonstrate a lesson with the foreign warping powder, he had to decline. There was too much at stake. Dealing with unknown substances was dangerous, especially with someone who did not know what they were doing. Thinking back, it irked him that the academy was likely shoving tasks onto whoever was going to take the bait. Well, he was not. He was going to keep things simple and clean.
However, the idea of the warping powder was interesting - he could not deny that. After gaining permission, he opted to watch a demonstration of a class experimenting with the very said powder. It looked innocuous, but Finn never had an eye for these things. Perhaps one had to understand the weight and depth....all sorts of manner of properties.
As he sat by the windows of the classroom, Finn wondered how to stay clear of the experiments. But more than that, he wanted to know what he was lacking as a knight. He'd paid his duties, but emptiness crawled inside of him driving him mad. What was the finishing touch? Why was he not cleared of obligation? He was nearly tempted to write a letter to Leonster himself, simply inquiring on the state of affairs.
But no. He had to hold back. At least for now. They could never grow if he was always watching over them.....
So befuddled in his thoughts that Finn did not notice when the warping powder of a young purple-haired girl rose in the hair and snapped, creating the loudest of crackling sounds, as if thunder cleaved through the air.
One moment he was there, and then....
It took moments for him to awaken. Hands rubbed at his eyes. Some manner of explosion must have sent him packing - it must have been the warp powder. Rising from the ground, Finn noted the area and checked for any damage. But his body did not feel the same. Rather it was.....smaller.
Immediately, his eyes scanned himself. How did he shrink like this? His hands seemed like remnants of what they used to be, his body an echo of the able knight he hoped he was. Reaching up, he found silky purple hair where short blue traces should be.
What was going on?
And then he saw himself. Or rather, he saw something - someone - in his own body, across the room. Words tried to come out of his mouth but they failed him, falling to the wayside.
"Excuse me," he tried, "I think........I think there has been some sort of mistake."
[@shimuberin]
One moment, she was in front of the class, ready to demonstrate the wonders of Warp Powder - something she’d had to get from home for this demonstration. The next, she was lying across a desk towards the back of the room, lifting her head blearily. She shook her head, looked towards the front of the room - and saw herself standing at the front of the class, shaking herself awake. It took a glance down at hands that weren’t hers for her to realize exactly what happened. Eyes widened, and her voice shrieked-
“What’s happened to me?”
Except her voice wasn’t a shriek at all, but a booming shout. Empress stood, and wobbled - her legs below her were too long as she stood, and she had to reach down to brace herself against the desk. She looked accusingly down at her body, as if it was her flesh’s fault this happened. She looked down at the body she was in now again, studying it as much as she could, then turned her gaze back towards her body, eyes blazing with fury.
She’d wanted this, at one point. How many times had she begged the goddess to put her in a body that could hear her, in a body that didn’t tremble and cry under pressure, in a body that suited an Empress and not a child. How many times had the goddesses ignored her? Of course, now that she’d settled into her form, accepted the growing she needed to do, was when this - this mistake had happened.
“Give my body back to me!” She stumbled her way out from behind the desk, and managed to walk just to an opening in the desks, but didn’t have the courage to try the stairs. “Whoever you are!”
[NECKLACE] - sender fastens a necklace around receiver's neck.
“You’re sure I may borrow this?”
The necklace Elincia had offered her was truly dazzling to the young Empress - a simple golden chain with a flower of precious stones dangling from it, but Elincia had offered to let her try it on, and now that it was on her, well...
Sanaki hadn’t brought any jewelry with her to the monastery. She hadn’t worn much of it at home, either. Even as Empress, she’d not seen the need for it - her robes were fine enough to denote her authority.
“I thank you, Elincia.” For a moment, looking in the mirror, a girlish sparkle shines in her eyes. “It’s so beautiful... I’ll be sure to get it back to you safely.”
[CARRY] - sender carries receiver to another location.
The Senators’ eyes, as always, seek weakness. It was one thing to search for his own, and another to do so openly to the Empress- a child. He had rushed over when he heard that she had been approached while he was otherwise occupied, placing himself between her and the man before her. She was not crying, but seemed shaken, and worry hardened into a cold anger. Once, perhaps, he would be powerless before their influence- but it was their own arrogance that granted him the position of Prime Minister.
“I do believe it’s in poor manners to speak to the Apostle without a proper appointment." Poor manners did not begin to cover what he wished to say, but he holds his tongue. "Do send a message next time- though I’m afraid we will not be able to see you out.” He turns, pausing at her expression, and picks her up, holding her protectively within an embrace. Swiftly, he takes his leave, walking at a pace swifter than he would normally- but not enough to display panic. Or so he hopes- it is a difficult balance. Once out of sight, he finds an empty room to set her down.
“My apologies, Lady Sanaki. Are you alright?” He cannot stop concern from seeping into his voice, though he does his best to seem calm. He does not want to frighten her further. “What did he say?”
One moment, she’s trembling in front of one of the senators, the next, she’s been swept up in someone’s arms and carried off.
The Empress, young as she is, buries her face in his shoulder as he carries her away. Tiny hands grip his cloak, despite her internal wails not to - the Empress cannot show weakness, even at the age she is.
Sephiran sets her down, but she wishes he didn’t - how often did he hold her now? But she knows she cannot show it. He is not her father. He is her advisor. She must keep distance.
“He- implied that perhaps I am not meant to rule.” Her voice shakes, and she cannot stop it. “I- didn’t know what to say...”
You can’t cry. Not now, but even as she thinks it, Sephiran’s face becomes blurry. It’s all she can do to reach for him again, desperate for some sort of comfort.
my first post is just some simple actions; plenty of room for you to decide what the reasoning or emotion behind the action is.
feel free to make edits to better suit your muse, but please don’t edit or add on to the original post 💛
[COLLAR] - sender reaches out to smooth down / fix receiver's collar.
[RUFFLE] - sender ruffles receiver's hair.
[BRACE] - sender braces receiver under the elbow.
[FOREHEAD] - sender feels receiver's forehead.
[HANDS] - sender takes receiver's hands.
[NECKLACE] - sender fastens a necklace around receiver's neck.
[SHOULDER] - sender lays a hand on receiver's shoulder.
[SIT] - sender guides receiver to sit down on a chair / bed / wall / etc.
[LAY] - sender guides receiver by the shoulders to lay back.
[TUG] - sender tugs receiver's hand in an attempt to get them to follow.
[WAIST] - sender rests a hand against receiver's waist.
[SUPPORT] - sender pulls receiver's arm over their shoulder for support.
[DRINK] - sender sets something to drink down in front of receiver.
[FOOD] - sender sets something to eat down in front of receiver.
[BACK] - sender rubs a hand up and down receiver's back.
[COAT] - sender zips / buttons up receiver's coat for them.
[CHEEK] - sender brushes a thumb over receiver's cheek.
[NUZZLE] - sender nuzzles into receiver's neck.
[HUG] - sender tugs receiver in for a hug.
[CHIN] - sender tucks receiver in under their chin.
[LIFT] - sender lifts receiver off the ground (or attempts to).
[CARRY] - sender carries receiver to another location.
Sigrun had cried when they received the letter from the Academy. Tanith had helped her pack up books, clothes, her favorite plush bird. Naesala had wished her luck, ruffled her hair after she’d told him not to.
Youngest Empress no longer wore red and gold, but black and white. The blouse fit her well, the skirt brushed her shins (she cannot remember the last time her clothes fit her). The buttons were gaudy, not to her taste. The tasseled robe that threatened to swallow her whole sat folded neatly in her suitcase she dragged behind her.
Her guards had wanted to drop her off at the gates, like she was some sort of schoolgirl. She’d said she’d walk herself to the gate.
She regrets that now - the suitcase is heavy.
Feet in proper shoes instead of slippers dig into snow as she approaches. The gates at home are less imposing to her, even though they tower higher. She places a hand on the metal, ready to push it open-
“Whoa there, kid. No one gets in here.” Tiny Empress starts as she turns to face the voice - a figure in red-tinged armor, sitting up on the wall. The guard pushes back her helmet to reveal a grin. “Unless, of course, you’re someone important.”
“I am important! I am Sanaki Kirsch Altina, Empress of Bengion, and-”
“Too many words,” the guard interrupts with a feigned yawn. “Why do you want to get in here?” Sanaki nearly stomps her foot and raises her voice. She knows better than that. Insted, she takes a breath.
“I received a letter of invitation to this school’s house of Black Eagles. I was told to be here for an interview about this time. I cannot miss it, so let me inside.” A beat. “Please.”
“Hmm... A Black Eagles student? You look like you’d fit.” The guard drums an idle rhythm on her helmet’s rim as she thinks. “Do you have the letter?” Sanaki fishes into the too-shallow pockets of her new clothes (why had she not remedied this when she had the time?) to present the guard with the letter. She skims it for a moment, then nods. “Looks official enough.”
“Then let me inside. I cannot be late for my interview, it would damage my reputation as Empress.” Sanaki shifts her weight from foot to foot. She hears laughter through the bars of the gates, the sounds of friendly sparring.
“Do you know what they’re going to ask you? That’s really important to know, you know.” Sanaki thinks back to Tanith’s coaching.
“...I do not believe my guard mentioned that to me, no.”
“Well, you have to think about what you’re going to say before an interview to do well. I know you’re an empress, but even empresses need interview practice.” The guard leans back against the alcove she sits in, kicking armored feet back and forth. “Shame it doesn’t seem like you’ll get any.” She tips her helmet back over her eyes. “Gate’s unlocked, by the way.”
“Wait!” Youngest empress surges closer, dropping the suitcase behind her on the ground. “What they will ask me? You have to know, as a member of this church. Tell me the questions!” The guard shakes a finger at Sanaki with a good-tempered smile.
“You need to ask politely, Empress. I’m not a subject of yours.” Sanaki balls her fists, but swallows back indignation. She’s had plenty of practice in the senate.
“...Would you please tell me the questions they will ask?” Her tone is too even.
“Gladly, Empress. You can even practice answering, if you’d like. I do this a lot.” The guard removes her helmet, letting reddish-brown hair tumble onto her shoulders. “The first question is very easy - who are you, and what got you here?”
Sanaki thinks back for a moment on all thirteen-and-a-half years of her life. She feels like it’s already been filled to bursting, like a plush trying to hold a ballgown in its seams. She wonders for a moment when to begin. The guard takes notice, leaning forward slightly.
“Just think of it like a story. What’re the important parts? What would I need to know to understand your position?” Sanaki taps her foot, the toe crunching the snow.
“I was crowned Empress when I was five years old.” A shiver runs through her body - is it the cold, or thinking back on it that makes her shudder? “My grandmother, the previous Apostle and Empress, was assassinated earlier that year. To prevent rebellion, they decided they needed someone to guide the country. So they chose me - the only living descendant. They named my advisor and guardian at the same time - my mother had died some years earlier.” She reaches, on instinct, for her sleeve to fiddle with. She only grabs the air, pretends she was itching at the blouse. “Little did I know I was only being raised as a figurehead - a puppet for the people to love while the Bengion senators did terrible things right behind my back. They told me to be patient, eventually I’d hear the voice of the Goddess, but it never came... They lied to me, so they could continue to kill-”
Youngest Empress feels her voice stealing away, concealed in her thickening breaths. She wishes again for her big sleeves to hide in. The guard hops down from her ledge to kneel next to Sanaki.
“I’m sorry,” she says, without a snarky remark for once.
“The Radiant Hero, Ike, he helped me uncover it all. He’s here too, isn’t he...?” The guard nods, cautiously reaching out to wipe a tear from Sanaki’s face. Sanaki doesn’t brush it away. She wishes Sigrun or Tanith was here.
“Ike is here. So are many of your peers, like Elincia, Kurthnaga, Nailah... They’ll be excited to hear you were invited here.”
“They all helped... The Goddess got mad at us, and she turned almost all of Tellius to stone, but they - we - remained, and we fought the Goddess back...” She could speak of Sephiran, of everything else she grieved, everything that had been taken, but she holds her tongue. She’s already crying enough.
“Thank you for telling me. I’m sorry it was so hard to tell,” the guard says as she stands. She lets the information settle on her shoulders for a moment before she continues. “Not to move us too quickly, but I have the other two questions - don’t worry, they aren’t as hard as this one was. I promise.” Sanaki nods. The tears have dried into the freezing air. Any other girl would have been allowed to cry. Sanaki wasn’t any other girl.
“I’m ready.”
“What do you think is your greatest strength, and what is your greatest weakness?” She doesn’t hesitate as long before answering.
“I’m here to fix my greatest weakness - I am young, and do not have much experience of the world. I am hoping I will learn more about what it means to lead here.” She tilts her head. “As for my strengths, I am competent with fire magic, and good enough at diplomacy to navigate a country without the aid of senators.” The guard nods.
“Good answers, very concise. You’ve been asked that before.” Sanaki nods.
“Many times. My leadership didn’t go unquestioned.”
“Well, we’ve got one more. If a story were to be written about your life, what role would you play?”
Youngest empress has to think for a moment. “I am not sure,” she admits. “I’ve been told all my life that I’m the one in the spotlight, but I’ve realized now I was never really standing on the stage.” The part she had been promised didn't really even belong to her, did it? “I want to take what is mine, and hold it so strongly I will not be questioned again.” Tiny empress tastes magic in the air swirling to her, though it doesn't ignite. The guard nods.
“I get it.” She leans against the metal gate, shoving it open for Sanaki to enter. “I'll pass those answers along, alright? I think you've got a good chance.” She winks.
“I- I do not understand, I believed the interview would be conducted inside...”
“Oh, it will be, don't worry. What I say has very little sway with them. But I'll be sure to put in a good word.”
“Thank you... May I have your name?” The guard laughs.
“Another day, Empress. For now, I believe you have an interview to run to.”
My Sanaki comes from directly after the events of Radiant Dawn. She’s been Empress-not-Apostle for only a few months now, and she’s been sent to the Officer’s Academy to learn how to lead on her own. She’s still trying to process everything that happened but it is at least behind her now.
I’ll be subjecting the dash to my massive interview (again, sorry) and will put out a plotting call soon :)
My Sanaki comes from directly after the events of Radiant Dawn. She’s been Empress-not-Apostle for only a few months now, and she’s been sent to the Officer’s Academy to learn how to lead on her own. She’s still trying to process everything that happened but it is at least behind her now.
I’ll be subjecting the dash to my massive interview (again, sorry) and will put out a plotting call soon :)
areudirty
yousharknotpass
janainaart
baratheonpilled
annaxmalina
