t e n e b r o u s ;

emperor munjal bhati ruler of the mughal empire penned by ateş for theopulenthq

[succiducus]

{ranveer singh, 35, non-binary, they/them} We are so glad to see you safe, RULER MUNJAL BHATI of THE MUGHAL EMPIRE! It’s dangerous out in the world these days, but I hear that you are SARCASTIC and ADAPTABLE enough to handle it. Just don’t let your NONCHALANCE bring you down! Stay on your guard, because with your secret being at risk for exposure, you wouldn’t want everyone to find out you idolize the person responsible for the death of the previous monarchs.

b a s i c s //

birth name: munjal hassan bhati

birthday: tbd

occupation: ruler of the mughal empire

orientation: asexual / demiromantic

status: betrothed to parvati sharma

languages: gujarati, hindi, english, persian

character influences: ganondorf (tloz), gellert grindelwald (hp/fb), saruman the white (lotr), suguru geto (jjk), shimura danzo (naruto).

tarot card: the emperor

p e r s o n a l i t y //

The confidence that a childhood of love and ease under the rule of the Sharma's made them fearless and cocky. They've never needed affirmations of their worth nor did they worry about needing to protect themselves from negative forces; they had all the necessary tools to prevail in their belt and in their mind. Highly intelligent and well-trained in combat and strategy, Munjal used these traits to gain whatever they wanted, whenever they wished it. However, corrupt wasn't a word to describe them. They have morales, even if a bit a crooked and selfish, and hurting the empire they grew up in isn't a thought in their mind. Regardless of thirst for power or influence, Munjal has a gentleness about them. As the older Bhati twin, Munjal loves attention and praise whether it's negative or positive; they love their younger sibling with everything they have and will go great lengths to protect them, especially now that they've secured the throne of the empire. They're a bit of a nuisance; they've turned down every betrothal, their sarcastic tongue gets them in trouble, and can be a bit flighty and mean when necessary (or when hungry). Their softer side is a rarity, protected by sarcasm, politics, and nonchalance but they're not unlevelled in thought - they know when to quit.

p r e s e n t d a y //

The death of the Sharma's didn't quite come as the surprise they were hoping for; they had made a terrible decision to gather the grieving and non-grieving nations from around the world under the guise of a grand memoriam that turned out to be a party. Munjal knew that it had placed a bitter taste in the mouths of the bereaved yet they figured that if there were to be an attack, the might and power of their military would push them back. They were wrong, of course. Usually one to gather gossip with wide eyes and an amused smile, Munjal stopped laughing when the empire was sent into chaos. They grew anxious, awaiting the day when the remaining sharmas took the throne and brought peace to the land; but it never came. Day after day, the yelling and fighting in the streets worsened - and every day, Munjal grew angrier. Angry until they could stand it no longer. Once idolizing the Sharma's, inheriting their empire wasn't exactly what they thought it would be either; chaos had not only erupted in the streets of Delhi, chaos was also written behind the scenes of their empire as well. And now it was their job to gain the respect and support of an empire torn by death. Only two questions remained, however, who had done in their empresses? And when could they meet them?

c o n n e c t i o n s //

akshay chaudhari (valet) - to be written

parvati sharma (betrothed) - to be written

[tenebrous]

WHEN/WHERE: during/post pre-tribunal, india's quarters.

WHO: munjal & parvati ( @flcralhaze )

detained to their quarters; a murderer among them, munjal tries and fails to keep irritation at bay. his dark, looming command had flattened the head of the military commander into his shoulders, now burdened with the task of finding just who had not been asleep nor in their chambers when two of their suspects had been assaulted. one dead, another comatose, the work of a skilled individual makes him wonder if this was the work of the same person who had taken the lives of his predecessors. a giddy, sadistic sort of excitement slithers through his veins yet he turns his attention to parvati. "is this the work of your hands?" it is but the first time, his anger gets the better of him, the first time that he does not speak out of propriety and instead speaks to his frustrations. "did you wish for the blame for such violence to fall to me? to paint me incompetent? violent? apathetic? to splatter the beginnings of the bhati dynasty with such disfavour?"

[whispcrings]

akshay keeps their gaze on munjal, tracking each movement. waiting for the next move he would need to make; as valet, as malaika's eyes. the ruler's question isn't surprising, but performance required akshay to take quick breath. "i would not," they carefully reply. "if you wished for her to perish, then you wouldn't have offered a betrothal. you wouldn't have even allowed her or her sibling to live." they lick their lips. "you understand her importance. i find it difficult to believe you would throw that away so easily."

[tenebrous]

munjal's stare against the opposite wall is hard, a deciphering, all consuming worry over comes them; is that what the people of their empire thought as well? or did they see him and his sibling as nothing more than usurpers? disallowing akshay's words to sway his self-opinion, he remains in silence. "do they?" the quiver in his voice well placed in order to play on their valet's knowledge. "the tyrants who run rampant with knives and disregard for human life? the rebels? for isn't my fate tied to their's? if you believe many would think i played a hand in the princess's death were she to perish, this means that their actions affect my destiny, do they not? we must keep them very far from her, akshay. otherwise you may find yourself the valet to a man not so thoughtful...."

[flcralhaze]

your empire,  he  called  it.  the  words felt like mockery for if it was hers then why did he wear the crown? why did he sit where her sister once did? however, expression remained tranquil. she was no true warrior, blades useless in her hands, but she knew her courtly sensibilities well. too well, perhaps. she'd leaned into them increasingly as her once stable position had turned shaky. she might not believe the look in his eyes genuine but she quietly mirrored it nonetheless.   ❝ no one, i'm certain. ❞   she would. whether that was grief speaking or sincerity she couldn't tell. how blurred everything in her mind had become.   ❝ and i would be surprised if anyone was dressed finer than you, your highness. being on your arm this evening shall be an honor. ❞

[tenebrous]

the emperor would never tell her that they sat where her older sister once did simply because her rule was not idolized by all those who lived outside the red fort's walls. to laugh in the face of grief, even for him, was out of character; he did not wish for the meddling hand of karma to dish him or his twin out a serving of the devastation it held in its palm. "parvati, please," his pleas are quiet, eyes unable to meet her's. "we have been over this many times, have we not? it is munjal..." though he understood the odd circumstances of their betrothal, he had to play the part better than he wished, didn't he? "we must show them that we are united and unmoved. surely someone would not address their future spouse in such an impersonal manner."

[whispcrings]

"i would believe it even without the recent assassination." he keeps his voice soft, gentle. lacking the bluntness he would've wielded if this was a different mark. a delicate balance he must walk. "her majesty perhaps even more so, if only because of her relation to the previous empress. there would be many ready to point accusing fingers at you should she perish."

he meets the ruler's gaze again. "i do not speak to plant paranoia in your head, your majesty." how the lie slips so easily from his tongue. "i just wish to alleviate some weight of your duty, no matter how small. my eyes and ears are yours, to discover who among here is a viper in the grass."

[tenebrous]

munjal hums. heels turn, he feels akshay's eyes upon his back but it does not startle him in the same way that their words do; without parvati, convincing their people that he deserved to hold such power would be quite difficult. the extended hand in marriage had simply been a show of such attainment; they wanted a gentle ruler, one who would not throw parties in the face of grief and thus he made a show of his compassion. "would you?" he prompts. "if parvati were to perish, would you point fingers toward me as well?"

[gildedreign]

Prince Nairo took a moment to compose himself, allowing a brief silence to hang in the air before responding. The rejection had been stark, yet it was not entirely unexpected in such tense diplomatic circles. "Well, then," he began, his tone smooth and undeterred, "I suppose it is fortunate that we find ourselves surrounded by other refreshments and engaging company to quench a different kind of thirst." He offered a measured smile, eyes steady and unyielding. "I must commend your steadfastness. It is a rare quality, especially in times where diplomacy often demands flexibility."Nairo gestured subtly to the gathering around them. "Perhaps instead, you might indulge me with your company for a brief conversation? There is much to be learned from one another, even in disagreement."

[tenebrous]

the emperor listens to them speak but does very little to upkeep the conversation nairo was hoping for. although the gathering around them was festive and lively, munjal had been observing quietly from the sidelines instead of mingling with many. perhaps in the future he would have more to work with, but as it was, very few though highly of their empire in the aftermath of the violence that happened inside of their palace walls. not knowing where to begin had him stuck to his spot as if his shoes had been glued to the floor. "is that not the role of holding such a title as mine?" they ask, meeting the other's gaze. "if a leader is not steadfast, can they call themselves worthy of the throne?"