THERE ARE MANY THINGS YOU’VE RELINQUISHED IN YOUR LIFETIME, many things you were unaware you ever had. A mind capable of independent thought, a voice that deserved to be heard. A sister, a father, you assume something like you had a mother once, too. You have relinquished your kingdom, your crown, your people. You could not ever stand to know the weight of it. You were not built to rule it, nor trained to understand it. It is one thing you were made for, and it exists in your hands. To wield a sword, to be guided, to kill, these are the things you could never let go of. These are the things you understand above all else. You are not wise to many things in this world, but you know this much with certainty. It is why the little girl before you speaks so pleasantly to you. Though the way the lines of her face trace her features makes her look despondent, there is no denying what she offers is appealing. It does not matter that she was once your prisoner, she was always above you despite that.
You know what she is capable of, that she has power over you despite her age, yet it feels as though you do not care.
A contract, a bargain. The exchange of your power for her control. How could you refuse? You’ve witnessed it, heroes under her command. Your father used them, just as he did you. So perhaps it is fitting for you to take your place among them. You will, readily.
“ I accept, princess. Laevatein’s power is yours. ” The flame dragon Múspell shall walk with you.
❛ shut up ; i know the story , or at least the lesson ❜
“sheesh, princess. there’s no need to get so testy. didn’t your governess teach you etiquette? telling people to shut up is no way for a lady such as yourself to speak.”
your tone is light-hearted and amused, a grin quirking your lips upwards as you watch her pout and huff in hopes of drawing out even more of her ire. it’s funny. you’re reminded of lysithea, in a way. if you frustrate her enough she may tell you that as embla’s princess she outranks you, so you can’t just talk to her any way you please, much like your classmate would insist on not being treated like a child…
oh, if only she knew she wasn’t the only royal participating in this conversation. there must be books on fodlan and its surrounding countries in zenith that could reveal your true identity, certainly, but you doubt veronica would go as far as looking into you. you’re not that interesting compared to some of the other heroes gathered here.
in any case you rest your arms behind your head, lounging in your seat.
“but go on, then. prove it– what’s the story? what’s the lesson i’m trying to teach you in bringing it up?”
✿ / zephiel, or anyone you see grander potential for !
pre-established relationships ( always acc. )
FRIENDSHIP. childhood friends / work buddies or coworkers / family friends / friends with benefits / smoking buddies / adventure buddies / fake friends / recently friends / party buddies / friendship of need / dying friendship / circumstantial friendship / partners in crime / old friendship / [ your muse ] is the good influence / [ your muse ] is the bad influence / [ my muse ] is the good influence / [ my muse ] is the bad influence / opposites attract / ride or die / frenemies / roommates or flatmates / penpals / exes to friends / enemies to friends / other .
ROMANCE. childhood sweethearts / [ your muse is mines ] childhood crush / [ my muse is yours ] childhood crush / exes / exes to lovers / forbidden lovers / highschool sweethearts / secret relationship / opposites attract / long distance / unrequited [ from your muses side ] / unrequited [ from my muses side ] / unrequited [ from both sides ] / skinny love / friends to lovers / enemies to lovers / spurious relationship / power couple / newly entered / soulmates [ metaphorical ] / soulmates [ literal ] / awkward / turning toxic / toxic love / cheating [ on your muse ] / cheating [ with your muse ] / other .
FAMILIAL. siblings [ half ] / siblings [ step ] / [ my muse ] is an older sibling figure to your younger sibling figure / [ my muse ] is a younger sibling figure to your older sibling figure muse / [ my muse ] is a parental figure to yours / [ my muse ] is a child figure to your muse / guardian figure / legal guardian / adoptive child / foster child / [ your muse ] is taken under mines wing / [ my muse ] is taken under yours wing / other .
ANTAGONISTIC. dangerous to each other / dangerous to others / unpredictable / rivals / petty / developing into sexual or romantic tension / based off family matters / based off circumstance / based off professional matters / based off misunderstanding or lies / conflict of ideology / betrayal / hero - villain dynamic / enemies / fight club / friends turned enemies / lovers turned enemies / exes turned enemies / other .
HUCK’S NOTES:
i definitely need this section due to special circumstances LMAO
the fact veronica potentially has access to two very different zephiels changes drastically what i could possibly suggest. if it’s his older version, then veronica represents mostly everything that he detests: a human who seemingly is going through life for selfish motives ( her desire for control over powerful heroes and treating them as toys or tools ) and is in a position of power. embla’s curse, should it take control of her when he can witness it, would also convince him further of the erratic and malicious nature of mankind. he would see her bloodline as a necessary thing to erase because it is seemingly inevitable that the curse shall affect them and everyone else for the worse.
yet… if he is under contract, then he cannot do much except criticize her. there’s also a layer of hypocrisy here, in that zephiel also bends the will of living things for his own end, so the conflict of ideology is the main point of why he would get into verbal conflict with veronica. he is judging her motives more than her actions, and if she were to have some grand reason to explain, then he might reconsider to what extent he thinks she’s not a worthy leader.
however, if she were to interact with the younger zephiel, she will encounter the one who is more willing to hope that someone who has done bad things can still change for the better. he would be more empathetic to her, and her young age could drive out his big brother instinct. he would be willing to stand with her if he was aware embla’s curse is partly to blame for her nature, and he could try and guide her — though his success rate is likely not very high, he would still find it incredibly difficult to condemn her.
another thing that appeals to the teenaged zephiel would be to see that veronica cares very much about her older brother whom she cannot always be with; being a big brother who is separated often from his own younger sister who he adores, her situation tugs at his heartstrings.
“ i’ve had enough of your foolish antics ” for raigh !
three houses starters | always acc.
“ i’m not doing anything. ” raigh is well aware that that isn’t completely true. ever since veronica allied herself with them, even if only to fight against the forces of hel, he has been making sure he was always in the general vicinity of her. it’s a good learning experience, he tells himself. this truce will not last forever, and one day she will become their enemy again. what better time than now to figure out her tics, see if he might discover something useful against a long-time foe?
but that is not the only reason he does it — or at least, it is not the full reason. a part of him understands his motive dips into the sentimental too, a fact he wished not to say aloud. the second he did, he knew he would not be able to deny it.
sharena died in another version of askr. there’s nothing to say she won’t this time. she’s too trusting of others, always willing to reach a hand out for others.
askr’s princess once said she thought veronica the worst. what if this trip changes her mind? what if she reveals too much of herself to veronica? what if, because of this ceasefire, she unknowingly gives embla the ammunition to end her one day?
sharena’s heart is too big, and raigh would have to be the person to ensure it would not burst and bleed if she wouldn’t do it herself.
besides, there was no saying what veronica would do even in the present. he opens the tome in his hand, glancing over the ancient script in it even as he continues to talk, “ if you’ve got a problem with me, too bad. it’s not like i’m hurting you or something. ”
“I’m not trying to make you laugh, dear,” Sonya transitioned from the playful tone in her first statement to a more serious one. She should of expected the princess to resist somewhat, yet she was still caught off guard by her wit. Celica must have rubbed off on the mage too much, the little brat...
The usual smile on Sonya’s face folded downwards to form a stern glare. “It’s quite easy to see by the way that you’re limping. I was only wondering what happened, not why it happened.
“There’s only the two of us. No one else would have to know! Unless...you don’t trust me?” Sonya’s soft look returned, hoping to regain control of the conversation. Veronica was merely a stubborn child, just like what she used to be. She was fortunate to have a sister like Marla that could always calm her down, or else the other mage would have already provoked her.