OC-Tober: Day 14. Attempt at Seduction
As traditional love has never quite been Zannah's forte, the Empress always showed her affections through displays of power. To show off her power, to do so in a way that compliments another, is her way of showing respect, or even love.
Before the War grew darker, she saw swordplay and battle with Princess Rinku as a form of subtle seduction, even if Zannah didn't know it. It made her heart race and her blood burn with warmth when she fought another young woman such as herself with equal skill in battle. The dance between life and death as steel clashed. One could argue that when Zannah was kissed in the middle of combat that without the foreplay and subtlety she didn't quite know what to do.
Now that she is far older and has found love in Annuciata, that dance is far more less metaphoric. She wants nothing more than to show her love that she is a phoenix to the Hasai, a woman who could give new purpose and life to her. She sees sharing power with this one woman the most seductive thing she can grant. And anyone she shares power with is going to feel like they are more beautiful and powerful than any human limitations can allow.
Art by @dreadlock-detective!