Rayaari headcanon - being protective of each other
(inspired by this lovely anon)
Most of the time, Namaari feels welcome when she goes to visit one of the other lands, even within Heart. The majority of people in Kumandra want nothing more than calm after six destructive years, and are happy enough to welcome former rivals now as visitors to their markets and towns. However, there are some who still view her as the untrustworthy Fang Princess, responsible for all the problems in the land. They like to throw insults or barely veiled threats at her, although they are usually smart enough to do so beyond Raya's hearing, and Namaari just allows the remarks to wash over her, choosing to ignore them. And then one of them makes a mistake - hurls a severe threat towards her without realizing Raya is standing right next to her.
Raya has her sword drawn before Namaari can even blink, thrusting it towards his chin. 'What were you saying?' she growls, and one look has him turning into a quivering mess. Not even his stuttered words of apology seem to appease her, and it isn't until Namaari rests a hand on her arm that she lowers her sword.
As Princess of Heart, Raya should be well-versed in attending political meetings and being able to negotiate on trade deals and more. Yet, six years of living in the wilderness and on the run means she is more prepared to face dangers such as bandits and the Druun compared to some Talon politician, staring imperiously at her from across the table. She knows people judge her lack of leadership knowledge - she can hear the whispers and side glances when she's trying to join in during some dinner event after Council meetings.
It's at one of these events where she is cornered by two snobbish young men from Spine, who start to ask her all sorts of difficult questions about Heart policies. She can feel the judgement behind their eyes, and it takes great restraint from her side not to simply punch them in the face. 'I'd spend more time worrying about that awful clause you allowed to happen in article fifteen,' a smooth voice comes from behind Raya, and she feels an arm fall across her shoulders. 'And less time worrying about Heart's policies, since they'll be the ones enjoying your failures once this deal is ratified.' Namaari doesn't move from her side until they slink off into the crowd.
Raya loves to watch how children choose to interact with Namaari. The Fang 'kittens' are already used to their Princess joining in with their games, or settling them down for a story. But the small children of Heart are only just beginning to learn the wonder that is Namaari enacting out some valiant battles or stories, witnessing it for the first time during a cultural exchange visit between children of Heart and Fang.
'Raya, help meeee,' she hears a dramatic cry, and laughs as she watches Namaari falling in slow motion under a mass of tiny bodies. She waits for a moment, letting the giggles increase in volume as the children "help" Namaari in her fake death scene, and then wades into the chaos, scooping Namaari off the ground in a bridal hold. 'Don't worry, Princess,' she says with a wink. 'I'll save you.'
Raya is beautiful. Of course, Namaari doesn't need to be told this fact - she noticed it long ago with her own two eyes. Unfortunately for her, it seems half the population of Fang, men and women alike, have also noticed now that Raya has been visiting more often. And Raya might be unobservant when it comes to matters of love, but even she can notice some of their unsubtle behaviours.
'Oh wow, your arms are just so muscly,' a woman says, reaching out to squeeze Raya's bicep. She's in the midst of a crowd of Fang women, and Namaari can see her slightly panicked expression from over their shoulders. 'Ladies, I believe Chief Virana is looking for you,' she announces loudly, coming to stand side-by-side with Raya in return for an incredibly grateful side glance. The women give her suspicious squints, but shuffle away eventually, a few of them throwing small waves over their shoulders. 'Don't worry, Princess,' Namaari whispers in Raya's ear as they watch them leave. 'I'll save you.'
Raya can see how much effort Namaari puts into getting to know her friends. It's strange enough for Raya that she even has friends now, and perhaps the better expression might be more 'family', but either which way, Boun, Tong, Noi and Sisu have all become incredibly important to her. And so, Namaari tries - she accompanies Raya on strange adventures on Boun's ship, or visits Talon or Spine to see Noi and Tong, or tries to act normal around the dragons while Sisu and Raya catch up on all the news.
Sisu and Namaari have their own form of friendship, Raya knows, and Noi is susceptible to Namaari's gift with children. But Tong and Boun have been harder to crack, so it's with relief that she sees them beginning to be friendlier and invite Namaari on her own merit to their dinners. But then she over hears them plotting to drag Namaari and herself on some wild camping adventure, and, taking sympathy on Namaari's twitching eye, she relents, especially as she knows Namaari seems to feel obligated to say yes to all their requests. 'No can do, fellows,' she says, bumping her hip against Namaari's. 'We're going on a trip for just the two of us this weekend.'
Namaari comes across as extremely badass and tough, and although Raya knows this all to be true, she also knows there is a giant softie hiding just beneath the surface of her personality that few people get to see. However, she initially isn't sure the same can be said regarding Namaari's mother. The first time Virana catches them kissing, shock written all over her face as Raya pushes Namaari back in surprise, Raya's pretty sure her life flashes before her eyes.
'So you're the woman my daughter talks about constantly,' Virana says, and her gaze seems to pierce Raya's soul. 'I wondered when I would be meeting you.' Raya's pretty sure she manages to stutter out some ineloquent response, before Namaari is huffing a laugh and grabbing onto her hand. 'Mother, be nice,' she admonishes. 'No threats against my girlfriend.'
(Raya's almost too surprised by Virana's laugh to realize that Namaari's just called her the big "girlfriend" word)
