YIPPEE WELCOME BACK AGAIN wishing u luck on those new requests!! hope u dont mind me sending what i think id sent back then, which was a request for a scenario on zena and an s/o who doesnt realize shes an arbiter :] thank u....
Funnily enough I actually was working on this a while back before I wiped my ask box. So now I have a use for the unfinished writing I had. Thank you for the welcome back.
Oblivious S/O and Zena Headcanons:
She is absolutely baffled on how you just seem to be completely ignorant of anything pointing to her status. It’s not like you’re arrogant, or aren’t observant.. It just won’t click??
When the two of you are together you will comment on how people seem to be staring at you weirdly, but it just doesn’t really cross your mind on why. In fact, you’ll even check how you look or what you’re wearing, completely disregarding the fact it might be because of her.
So it becomes a little bit of a challenge for her and turns into probably the funnest part of her week. See just how far she can push the limits until you finally come to the realization. This is the main motivator between her continuing to meet with you.
Zena doesn’t really try to hide the fact she’s an arbiter either. She’ll wear her uniform or similar outfits with that signature hexagonal pattern that seem to be a clear giveaway.. To everyone but you that is.
There was actually a time you wanted to take her to this restaurant that was really nice. Unfortunately, it was in a pretty nasty part of the backstreets, so you had to tread carefully. But surprisingly, it was a completely peaceful walk.
In fact the staff must’ve felt super nice on that day because they discounted the price of your food! That’s never happened before. You were happy though that it did when you had a friend along with you, hopefully that made a good impression!
They did seem a bit nervous though when serving, and it was more quiet than usual.. Maybe there was some suspicious activity going around? You weren’t too sure, but mainly you tried to focus on your conversation with Zena.
She finds you so fascinating even when you tell the most mundane stories. You could be talking about your laundry and she would be extremely immersed. She’s just never had someone be so.. Uninfluenced by her before, and she wants to learn more about you.
Unsurprisingly, Zena can be pretty confident and egotistical some of the time. She is aware of the power she is capable of and has no issue using it to get what she wants. Hardly ever has someone of sane mind opposed her.
But you don’t really have a problem with disagreeing when you think it’s fit to do so. Perhaps you’re a bit more compassionate than she is (the bar isn’t really set high) and you aren’t really fond of her ways with going about certain things. Murder and blackmail are some of her go-to’s which can be pretty problematic.
At first I can see her being a bit irritated, but after taking an actual moment, she’s more appreciative. Now it’s a 50/50 on whether or not she’ll really change what she’s doing based on what you say, but once you get past her pride it’s almost refreshing to have someone feel comfortable enough to say what’s on their mind.
And say what’s on your mind you do. Honestly, in the nicest way possible, she’s heard some of the stupidest things come out of your mouth. It greatly contrasts with her very in depth, thorough way of speaking.
It’s really funny to hear you bring up news and things that she had a direct hand in without even realizing. For example, a workshop had recently been shut down for blatantly violating strictly enforced laws. It wasn’t specified what exactly was inside, but it was enough to get it transported to the outskirts.
You’d discuss it with her, ‘Man the Head is wild, wonder what was bad enough inside that it made them that pissed.’ And she would only smile and nod. Because she was there, and she knows exactly why.
Very frequently she will have a gift for you when you meet, and it’s always of such high quality that you feel bad she spent so much on it. Though she assures you it was no big deal (cause it wasn’t).
Sometimes though she gets gifts of things you wanted that you didn’t recall telling her about. It’s a bit weird at times, but hey who’s gonna complain about free stuff? Most of her time her reasoning is that you forgot you told her about it.
One time you happened to be in the same time and place that she had some business in (Whether or not that was a coincidence is still to be determined). All you knew is that there was some form of havoc leading to people being afraid and fleeing.
You, however, did not know what was said cause of chaos, you only knew to get out of there. So of course you’re going to panic when you see Zena casually resting on a bench, wide out in the open, filing her nails. After all, you don’t want her to get caught up in whatever is happening.
Well, you just keep being bold don’t you? Honestly it’s to the point it’s self-endangering, but maybe that’s what makes you so amusing to her.
Unsurprisingly to the audience, she is very casual about the whole situation. You, on the other hand, are freaking out because hey.. There’s people screaming and running and dying and you don’t want her to get mauled by something.
She just keeps smiling at you with this funny look on her face. You’re grateful she’s calm and not panicking but she just seems a little too amused by this whole situation. Better than being horrified.. Right???
Eventually she lets you grab onto her arm and drag her along to wherever you deemed would be a safe spot for you two. One person even yelled at you to ‘Get out of there unless you had a death wish’. Kind of rude but probably had good intentions. You weren’t really sure what ‘there’ was, but the general message was that where you were standing wasn’t really safe.
So the two of you are huddling in cover within the ruins of a building as you repeatedly stare past some blinds on a window out into the street. Weirdly enough, nothing really seemed to be happening.
A person did happen to emerge, one that you were ready to tackle if it was needed. A strange figure with a large metal-plated looking claw and a similar mask with strange vats of liquids attached to them.
Zena claimed that it was a work partner of hers who happened to be in the same area, and told you to remain there and that she would return soon after talking to him.
When she did return, she smiled and commented on “Well, aren’t you rather thick-headed?” only for your utterly baffled response. You weren’t sure whether you should be offended or not. She only chuckled and the two of you departed from the location.
You’d have to figure it out someday, but until then Zena was willing to push the limits to see just what she could get away with.
dkckc I gotta say I love what you wrote for zena (zena my beloved). But … could you perhaps do romantic zena x (female) reader - except this time, the reader is ALSO an arbiter ?
Of course! Here it is, just how you asked. Also, the reader is written with the idea of being female in my mind, but just because of how vague my writing style is, for anyone out there who isn’t female you can probably still enjoy it!
Zena x Arbiter Reader Headcanons:
Being an arbiter is a luxury you can be sure Zena will take advantage of. The two of you are practically able to go anywhere at any time, should you not have work, and get what you want. Money is not an issue, nor is danger, you two truly can experience all the city has to offer.
Lavish date nights? Of course, it only makes sense that the two of you would enjoy time together in a setting that seems like a dream to others. Gourmet dishes, some served with food that the people of the city haven’t even touched, are at your hands.
The Head has access to singularities that people aren’t even aware of, stored away within the well protected layers of walls. Perhaps they once belonged to a company that had fallen, or they were confiscated, either way as an arbiter they are really just at your hands.
When I mentioned food that hasn't been tasted by the citizens of the city, I meant it. There’s an old singularity in fact, sourced from an old fallen wing, which was intended to produce an absolutely mouth-watering type of fruit. ‘Ambrosia’ was what it was called, taking after the food of gods. Sadly the people of the city can’t enjoy it, but you still can.
As much as she loves pampering you, Zena also loves peering into the forbidden. It makes it much easier that the two of you share a role and status, thus the both of you can explore the hidden materials and items the Head holds. Of course not all of it is available to you, but much of your time spent will be looking through classified documents and equipment. Who doesn’t love looking at stuff you’re not supposed to? Well, you two can, but other people can’t. You can expect an adventure like this on date nights where the usual activities feel a little stale.
There are few times that two arbiters are ever needed in a situation, instead they’re usually accompanied by a claw and eye. With this knowledge it’s fairly likely the two of you don’t go on missions together very often. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though! It gives you something to talk about by the end of it.
Don’t worry about conversations being hard to make, or difficulty in finding a subject because she talks quite a lot herself. It’s very easy for her to go on about her personal ramblings, but she’s equally skilled in asking you questions. After all, she may come off as a little arrogant to people, but she’s charismatic nonetheless.
Something a bit entertaining and hypocritical though is that despite her own long speeches, she gets annoyed when people talk and drone on for too long. Of course it’s different when it comes to you, because she actually cares about what you say and is interested in you, but for certain meetings.. Well even arbiters will zone out occasionally.
You can ensure that the two of you will have a lot of variety in your schedule because Zena gets bored quite easily. There just isn’t that sort of thrill when something has been done for the 34th time, and she’s actively looking for new things to drag the two of you into.
While it’s always fun to walk around in public donning the attire of an arbiter and watching the expressions of the people you pass by, she also loves going ‘undercover’ with you in the city. Yeah, it’s fun for her when people are scared of her, but it can also get a bit tiring.
It’s also an excuse to drag you out shopping for outfits! While she’s not one who particularly cares about clothes, in all honesty she just loves spending money and getting stuff.
The stores you visit really depend on where you’re planning to venture out. In the Nest? Well it makes sense for the two of you to pick your disguises from the clothing created there. The backstreets? Well, you’re certainly giving some shopkeeper a surprise.
The atmosphere will heavily change in an area when members of the Head are there, so by being in a form of disguise you get to see what goes on through an unfiltered lens.
The idea of being an arbiter is already associated with looking over individuals, so this is truly no different from your regular activities. However, instead of getting info through screens and written words, you get to actually be there to experience it!
The amount of action that happens really depends on where you decide to set up. A relatively calm street of a nest? Well, you can expect just that. Things tend to get more exciting in the backstreet, especially when it comes to disputes between offices and syndicates.
Speaking of syndicates, there are times that Zena has tried to sneak you into meetings as well as events of various groups. It serves as a bit more of a challenge, as you have to fabricate an identity as well as be wary of others' suspicions.
Given that you enjoy this too, and perhaps are a bit more adventurous yourself, there may be friendly competitions between the two of you to see who can sneak into the most events. Someone says you’re not supposed to be there? Oh, you’re just filling in for another person. Hopefully you’re good at making excuses.
When you return back home you can expect quite a bit of affection. Later in the day she starts slowly getting tired, but more clingy. She doesn’t say anything verbally, but you will know because she starts walking up to you and grabbing your arms and pulling you closer.
I have no clue what an arbiter’s abode would look like besides luxurious, but I tend to think she’d favor a room that’s very high into the sky with large windows observing the city all around. Basically, a penthouse. Watching the lights of the people below help lull her to sleep.
She’ll pull you into bed alongside her as the two of you gaze out the windows. She’ll start to wind down by now, speaking in shorter words compared to her usual long sentences, and pointing out little objects she sees. Perhaps there’s a new office sign you haven't seen before, or just some interesting pedestrians. No matter how much you look, there always seems to be more to discover.
She doesn’t really fall asleep very quickly, chances are that unless you’re the same way you’ll be to bed hours before she is. Tea, reading before bed, perhaps even taking baths are all steps she takes to attempt to get to sleep faster. Still, it helps to see your relaxed form resting besides her.
Here are some headcanons, just as requested! I had a lot of fun with these.
Romantic Zena Headcanons:
Okay so first of all I’m impressed that you managed to get an arbiter interested in you. Assuming that you’re not one yourself, you either must have done something TERRIBLE, or seen something awful in order to witness one. (Not to mention you’re probably not gonna be around long for the first one)
Unless they also just sort of have free time and decide to poke around in the city. I mean they already have claws to deal with people, and it’s not like funding is a problem, so hey maybe arbiters seen casually walking down the road when they’re off the job isn’t unheard of. Assuming that they even have an ‘off the job’.
Whatever the circumstances are, you've managed to spot one and hold a conversation long enough for her to be interested in you, this person of course being Zena. Life gets boring when there aren’t at least a couple people you can spend your free time with, so she proposes the idea of the two of you meeting again.
I honestly think she believes you don’t realize who she is. It’s not really a regular occurrence for people to start talking to people in her profession, let alone agree to meet them again. She finds the idea a bit funny that you just stumbled into her, were completely ignorant or oblivious as to every single sign screaming ‘ARBITER’ and just treated her normally completely unaware of the situation.
Probably a reason she got interested in the first place. Not enough people have enough courage, or foolishness, to talk to her. She wants to find out how fast it takes for you to notice how people treat her differently, how there’s just a little more to her than it seems.
She wants to see the shocked reaction as you realize, probably to fuel her own ego. But should you figure it out, get surprised, and just go on with your day as usual she’s actually the confused one. Like before you had an excuse because you didn’t know how dangerous she was, now you’re actually just being extremely risky and you just aren’t worrying about it??
That would probably be another reason she likes you. She finds your behavior odd and amusing, as well as stupidly risky. It’s honestly fascinating to her how you haven’t died in the city yet, because it’s not like you don’t acknowledge the hazards, oh you fully know what goes on, you’re just extremely indifferent?
And if you did know who she was and just didn’t let it affect you then I honestly think she would be equally interested. In both cases you’re playing with fire and you hold a certain confidence that a lot of cityfolk lack.
While your recklessness likely would have led to your death in the future, it’d be a shame if that happened. You see, you’re just far too entertaining for Zena to keep her eyes off of you, and it would be a true shame if your story was to end so soon.
So congratulations because you’ve essentially got a way out of almost every situation you put yourself in. Unless you decide to mess with the head directly, she’s there to step in when things become too dangerous. Be it directly, or telling some other fixers to stop the problem when she can’t be there.
I hope you don’t mind being monitored a lot of the time. Of course you’ll have some privacy, she’s not a creep, but it seems like she always knows what you’re up to. It’s better for you to not question how and assume it to be some mass security system, for even if you asked her she likely wouldn’t be allowed to answer.
Eventually all of this leads to you two entering a romantic relationship. This wasn’t no passing interest for if she was to get bored of you, it would have happened already. No, instead she’s developed a deep love for your personality.
It’s an odd feeling, but not one that she dislikes. Even when you’re just minding your business, doing the most mundane things that everyone has to do, she can’t help but be enthralled. Usually she’s used to being amazed by her, not the other way around. That being said, it's a welcome change of pace when it comes to you.
I will say prepare for a lot of ornate speeches from her. She tends to get carried away with her words, and it can lead to possible long tangents. It’s times like these when her more condescending and overconfident attitude can show, so hopefully you don’t get too bothered by that. Not like anything condescending is really ever aimed at you.
Zena has always lived a life of riches, and she would love for you to join her. It’s a sight that would only be dreamed of should you come from the backstreets, but even if you found your place in a nest it would still fill you with awe. You can ask if things are real gold, real diamond, real gems, the answer is always yes.
If you meet her colleagues or any others who come from a similar background, they might be a little shocked to finally see you. Compared to the others who’ve always held high positions, lavish lifestyles, and grew up with a set of different mannerisms it might confuse them for a moment.
It could have been because she may or may not have described you as though you were some deity, because in her eyes you hold that stance, but it throws them off for a bit. Nonetheless it’s not really their place to care, and they soon quickly realize why she was so curious about you.
It’s kind of funny to imagine her and you sitting across each other on a table. It’s covered in the most expensive of delicacies, each food made from gourmet chefs. She’s delivering some elaborate toast with wine in her hand, looking all proper.
And then you’re just sitting there. Like you’re a regular person, just nodding along, eating some grapes or something. You’re extremely out of place, but you’re just enjoying your time.
That being said, she loves to pamper you. You’ve probably moved in with her at this point, and if not she’ll just buy you a place for the two of you to stay. Want clothes in a specific look that no places seem to have? She will custom commission one of the city’s finest tailors just for you.
While she prefers it to be just the two of you, she has no issue in hiring people to housekeep. Neither of you feel like cooking or deciding on dinner? Just get a chef. She is used to things being done for her though.
Zena is petty and she will use it to her advantage. Got into a small disagreement? She will completely give you the cold shoulder until you give her the attention she wants.
She’s actually fairly needy and affectionate, but it’s not really something you could tell from first glance. This is mainly because she’ll prefer and expect you to come to her, rather than her coming to you. There will be times where she’ll call you over for something, only to pull you close though.
She just loves feeling like royalty, but don’t worry, you will be treated as though you are such too. In fact, when in public she makes it very clear that you’re her partner. She’ll firmly wrap her arm around you, or kiss you in the face of others.
She doesn’t really get jealous because she knows you’re loyal. When it comes to other people who may be interested in you, she’ll usually sit back and watch from a distance, seeing how it unfolds, before she finally steps in. Whether she’s waiting to see if the person truly is flirting with you, or because she wants to put emphasis into her entrance is unknown. It’s probably the second choice though, she tends to be a bit dramatic.
