Take pains. Be perfect

AALIYAH AL-BARRACÍN | TWNETY-ONE| PRINCESS OF CORDOBA “I know a bank where the wild thyme blows, Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows, Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine, With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.”

[jacksfalahee]

Kylie Bunbury as Suhad

[fuckyeahcostumedramas]

Kylie Bunbury in ‘Tut’ (2015).

[theprincessaaliyah]

ofivna​: 

ivana had a habit of resorting to music when words could not convey her emotions, every note dripping with whatever was gnawing inside her whether it be happiness or, in this case, melancholy. being in lisbon was an honor and at the same time a duty however she could not erase the fact that she missed her home greatly. as she was playing, she imagined the sea in front of her, a common view in croatia and from outside her window. she will say that playing the harp did help ease the tightness in her chest, putting her in a familiar position.

 the princess was well aware of the dignitaries that would be arriving today and she had hoped that the room she was in was far away from where their meeting would be held so to not cause any sort of disturbance. music surely did captivate anyone whose ears it had befallen on, the perfect example was the woman standing by the door. 

“she is a sight to set up on, isn’t she?” ivana smiled, turning to the harp and running her fingers across the pillar. “monstrous in size but its music delicate and beautiful.” these were only a few words to describe the harp’s magnificence. “oh— um— well, melancholic means sadness almost. it has been my feelings as of late. home is very far away fom ,” ivana explained. “would you like to try the harp, my lady?” standing up to offer her seat. 

Looking upon the woman for the first time, she presumed her to be royalty by her dress, but was she the lady of the house? As she was not on her own land, Aaliyah was always on her best attempt to behave with respect both for being a guest and in accordance to the laws and mannerisms of others. If they were to have peace, everyone’s customs would need to be taken into consideration, no matter how foreign they were or how peculiar Aaliyah found them. With that in mind, Aaliyah stood in place, waiting to mirror the woman’s habits in order to know what to do next, not wanting to sit if doing so before being invited to would offend.

“She?” Aaliyah repeated in confusion. “It is a ‘she’?” The princess herself hadn’t known the instrument as native, thus was unaware that such things were addressed or given titles the way people were. Pausing, she added this to her memory before nodding. “ I see... To me, she did not sound sad. Yes, it is large in size, which I find interesting to make such a soft noise, but I did not realize it’s purpose was to convey such sadness. To me, it was almost like a lullaby.” Aaliyah admitted honestly, surprised by what she had just learned. In her opinion, music was mean to convey happiness, yet the Europeans used it for sadness...

Pulled from her thoughts by the woman’s proposition, Aaliyah’s eyes widened for a moment before she relaxed with a gentle shaking of her head. “ I should not touch such a thing when it is not mine -- I am afraid I am not skilled with such things. It would be terrible if I mishandled and broke your instrument.”

[theprincessaaliyah]

dilozdemir​: 

         unbeknownst to the princess, dilşah had corresponded frequently with her mother in the months, weeks and days that led to the precipitous summit in portugal. more often than not, aaliyah proved the subject of their missives; the part and parcels of their hopes to cement the emirate as the world power allah willed and destined it to be. in its infancy, cordoba was great; though it stood to be even greater in the years, decades, and centuries that followed … aaliyah was an undisputed component of that greatness, as was the crown prince; both ripe for marriage and intrigue. 

appreciative of the ability to lay eyes upon aaliyah in the flesh, dilşah was relieved to see that she was a comely woman; and at least ostensibly intelligent to boot. emira hurrem had assured her of such, and yet a mother’s assurances were to be taken with a grain of salt, being as they were padded with maternal bias. in response to her words, dilşah broke from the shackles of her own ambitious thoughts and nodded serenely. “houses in constantinople feature all manner of animals. they live in gardens, which provide the nucleus for any noble home, aviaries such as this and, of course, pesky creatures worm their way into orangeries. they are a wonderful detractor from the heat… so long as they are tall enough to stand in.” her words spoken with a subtle nod toward the architect, dilşah crinkled her brow in disapproval. “how soon can it be done?” 

“forgive me, princess, i had taken you for a romantic.” her lips formed a thin, yet not unpleasant line, in thought. “you have a sturdy head upon your shoulders, and i am glad of it –– tell me, are you told you take after your father or mother more?” 

She was a woman who was most likely known for her poise and loveliness.  Dilşah being graceful and well-spoken was not lost on Aaliyah, who eyed her with curiosity. She knew some, but not all of the woman’s rise, and found what she had heard to be interesting, much about her mother’s nation fascinating to the young princess.

“I have heard there were many things to see, yet I have not seen much...” She frowned somewhat, knowing that she still had plains to explore within Libson. “I have had to tend to many duties as a princess -- many of which I might not have needed to attend. I have only now gotten the chance to see to this ...” She said with a gesture to the barren plot. “ But I hope very much to have it worked upon day and night until it is ready. I would like a place to learn and take rest that is my own.“ She smiled. “ Yes, it will be very tall. If I am to fit inside then it needs to appear as to touch the sky from within.” Aaliyah laughed, knowing her height was more than the usual dainty lady of gentle birth.

 With a brow cocked at Dilşah’s confession, Aaliyah felt he cheeks flush in confusion and embarrassment. “ A romantic?” She echoed with a hint of shock in her tone, as if offended that the woman could propose something so scandalous. “ I should think such things are... learned after one is to wed.” She said , clearing her suddenly dry throat. Was this Dilşah not married? What did she know of such things if she wasn’t? And why would she assume something so indecent of Aaliyah to know such things? And what need was there for romance when you were unwed?

Patting her warm cheeks, Aaliyah cleared her throat once more. “ I have... I have been told different things by different people. I believe I look more of my father, but I have been told I have the attitude of my mother.” She admitted, smiling softly at the idea of being the perfect mix of both. “Which do you see in me, might I ask?”

[theprincessaaliyah]

While the kings and queen seemed to be throwing parties or having meetings over lunch and dinner about treaties and the like, it seemed like the children were left to their own devices to make friends and allies or to assert themselves among the other courts in support of their own. Aaliyah had a feeling that by the time talks were through, the courts would have traded sons and daughter to keep an eye on one another and make sure promises were being kept. Aaliyah, was not a son, and thus would not be given such a responsibility, but would soon be married into one of these families and assume the duties of a wife. It was something she had made her peace with long ago, and decided to enjoy her youth and freedom while she could. It may have been immature of her to play like children, but Aaliyah found such simplicity fun. That was the reason why she had taken her cousin from her duties, dragging her from her quarters and running with her into the courtyard as guards attempted to keep up.

Her hand was tight around Gevherhan’s wrist as Aaliyah giggled and beckoned her to keep up. They hadn’t seen each other in so long and their letters were not enough to make up for lost time. From the courtyard, Aaliyah lead her cousin into a field or wildflowers that grew taller than any she had seen before, losing their guards in the process as intended, assuming they would catch up soon and find joy in the game. What hard could come to them in a field of flowers, after all?

“Hurry,  ‘ Ukht abn em! “ Aaliyah called playfully before a sudden sight gave her pause. Stopping, Aaliyah looked up towards the sky, that only moments ago seemed blue and clear, but now was gray and dark. “ Those clouds... Do you think that the rain will come?”

@gevherhans​

[theprincessaaliyah]

alisdelafose​: 

( open starter for anyone!!)

Portugal. It was a chance for a new life, for a new start but still Alis feared that the whispers had followed her across the seas. Even with her responsibilites to the queen her heart still ached for her daughter. Juliette, her daughter, hadn’t settled since their arrival and Alis had tried everything she could to console the child but nothing had seemed to work. “I apologize for the noise,” Alis tried to hide her desperation to stop her daughter from crying. “She won’t settle since we arrived.” 

There was a great deal of gossip, it seemed within other courts. Tawdry tales were assaulting Aaliyah’s innocent ears as she sat near a fountain attempting to enjoy her day, the lack of grace from the common women who told them amidst shameless giggles offending Aaliyah enough to have her fleeing from the spot to save her modesty. To think that women could speak so openly of such things... It was the strong desire to get away that had Aaliyah running into the first haven she could, finding there a woman and her child. Not knowing exactly where she had run into, she feared that she had stepped into a forbidden place. “ It is I who should -- I .... Is this your home?” She asked wearily, unsure now, after the woman’s apology, that she was the intruder.

[theprincessaaliyah]

devidaure​: 

Lucrezia did not believe in fate or luck, that was just a game for small girls who were in difficult positions. She believed in the making of your own hand, that to wish and pray for a future or luck was foolish or stupid  — Lucrezia, who hoped to realign her name in the history books and to right the wrongs made by an old King, would take her own story into her hands, guiding the pens of historians and pompous royalty who cared for no one but themselves and their dying dynasties. 

Her ears pricked at the mention of the mere fear and worry that held the Princess of Cordroba — leaning forward as it to listen to whispers she was not party to. Did she hope to drag her down to her level? To show the Cordoban sister of why and how Lucrezia’s life had been ruined by the acts of her brother? Perhaps, indeed, Lucrezia was naive to seek vengeance and to nurture envy towards the sisters of the evil and ambitious Emir; but this was what fuelled her to live and act. If that was to be gone, then what else could Lucrezia do?

With a nod to her silence, Lucrezia allowed the Princess to waft in and out of a certain consciousness, watching her mannerisms to remember for later as she held her delicate hands against the stern front of her French bodice. It was interesting to hear her woes, her fears and her hopes — but it only caused the lady-in-waiting to pity the Princess, to see her so openly confessing to emotions that should’ve been kept behind firm cases. This, is what she warned her Queen about with every waking moment. Do not allow yourself to seem soft, easy or broken. There, you will invite enemies. 

This is what the Princess Aaliyah has done. 

With the clearing of her throat, she stepped forward into the light for Aaliyah’s gaze; dressed in the French colours to affirm her Queen’s pride of place within the Parisian courts, and to remind onlookers that she was indeed a subject of not just Aragon and the Iberian Catholics but France too. This was one blessing to be found as a lady-in-waiting; to be fluid. 

“I am Lucrezia de Vidaure, your highness. Lady-in-waiting to Queen Alexandrina of France…” Her accent clear, the slight twang of Aragonese hidden beneath her pronunciation, she hoped the Cordoban Princess would feel some twinge of fear that a foe had made her way into her chambers. to see her openly coo over things as fickle as birds — on Lucrezia could’ve so easily disposed of her there and then, but she dd not seek the end of her life. Not now, not then. 

“I am sorry for intruding, I simply could not help but follow the sound… It appears I have mis-step to find my way in your halls, your grace.”

With a smile, soft and small, Aaliyah muffled a sigh. It was easy to unburden her soul, but she knew that she shouldn’t have complained too much. It was nervousness over the newness of her situation. The idea of the summit was to foster peace across the land, so why should she be so worried? Her father’s attempts to begin a dialogue, his dream to not only share their faith, their truth, but to end the era of war and bury animosity were all great things, and with everyone having gathered, surely they must have wanted to do the same. Not as oblivious to believe that this summit was solely her father’s and that the entire gathering was about him, Aaliyah was aware of the power the Emir held and knew that it would benefit everyone to make peace. She only needed to remind herself of this as the fear and lack of trust in other nations took her mind over.

Hearing the woman clear her throat brought Aaliyah’s attention from her thoughts to the woman, this time, observing more than her face, but her dress. The robes Aaliyah clad herself in were, in her opinion, more modest than that of European women, who liked to hug their figures, but were equal in grandeur. Aaliyah was amused to see all the different fashions that belonged to each nation and how they matched up to what she knew. Noting this woman’s gown, she assumed that she had a fondness for frills and lace and wondered if this was true of all French women. “ Lu-crezia de Vi-dau-re...” Aaliyah echoed slowly, breaking it down to allow her tongue to wrap around it. “ ...Of France.... “ She added with a smile. “ I am Aaliyah, the Emir is my father, and the Sultana is my mother. In the common tongue, they say I am a princess.” She noted. “But I prefer to be known by my name. You may call me as such, if you like.” Aaliyah offered with a smile.

Inhaling the fresh air into her lungs deeply, Aaliyah turned her attention to the open sky for a moment, taking in the beauty of it. “You did not intrude -- I too, have wandered into gardens on my walks. My curiosity has lead me to many a place that does not belong to me, and yet I have found that it is in such places that you find the most interesting things.” She shrugged. “I will not hold such curiosity against you or your Queen of France, as it is something I too, have been guilty of. You are truly lucky not to have wandered into a place where you would have found danger.”

[theprincessaaliyah]

Point Call - July 13th

Replies:

Dilsah Isabella(2) Lucrezia (2) Ivana

Starters:

0Memes:

1 

Total: 65

[theprincessaaliyah]

devidaure​: 

A hand extends to hold the door frame, leaning to one side as she watched the Princess. O’ what harm had Lucrezia caused to be surrounded by the royals? What had she ever done to suffer some punishment? But she persisted, her need for vengeance pushing her onward as the Princess of Cordoba exclaimed her passion for the birds. 

She ran her fingers slowly along the stone archways, watching and listening as she continued - her words lost on disinterested ears as Lucrezia removed herself to waltz in further. “Luck?” she questioned, her brow rising upon her visage before she stands before her as barely a lesser to the Princess but rather a peer  — it was stupid to do so, and if the Princess was from anywhere else perhaps Lucrezia would’ve bowed and given way, but her surface was still coated in faux humility, pretending to care for the birds themselves as one arm extended towards the cage. 

The next thing that comes from such trained lips, are lies. She found no love for the animals, and preferred cats to catch the little things  — but this did not stop her from playing to the Princess’ tune. Amira? Aaliyah? She could not be sure, in fact, Lucrezia didn’t give it much thought - one was quite like the other, in her biased mind at least. 

“Yes, I find their beauty enchanting… You are very lucky to cultivate your own collection whilst here, your grace. You are blessed…”

She was ever hopeful. While her sense of maturity and naivety battled for dominance within a mind that knew what was expected of her and what was right versus what felt right in her heart, Aaliyah knew that taking time to forget the bad and focus on the good was what would keep her strong when she needed to be. There was so much good in the world , to focus only on what hurt seemed pointless.

“Yes, luck.” She echoed , still smiling. “ I believe that is the word... It’s an idea -- “ she paused, wondering if she had in fact used to correct term, but decided to describe it to the woman either way. “That keeping something on your person or dear to your heart will make good things happen. I have heard it to be different for all -- a stone for some, for others, a flower... It makes things better. I hope that keeping these near and caring for them will bring me such a blessing.” She sighed. “I have fear and worry --” she began, but paused. She did not know this person, and should not tell the inner secrets of her heart and mind so easily, Aaliyah thought. She still have a sense that there was something wrong or that could go wrong, knowing too well the grudges held against her father. Though it was a summit for peace, Aaliyah still found herself thinking pessimistically about it all.

“I have heard many kingdoms do not agree... With so many together, I fear old bitterness may...” She paused, thinking of a word. “ I pray that they bring luck to us all, for peace. If these lesser animals can live in peace though they are all different, maybe we too, can do so.”

After a long moment staring into a future she hoped to see, Aaliyah turned back to the woman.” I should apologize; you know of me, but I do not know your name. Might I know what to call you?”

[theprincessaaliyah]

isabellaanscarids​: 

Isabella’s smile was soft, almost winsome, and she nodded.  “An important distinction,” she replied.  “I am glad you have corrected me.  What a splendid life they shall have in their very own avian palace,” she mused, gazing at the spot and the materials and duly picturing the sort of construction the princess might have in mind.  “Safe from predators, yet free to roam as they please…one almost envies them.”

Biting her lip, Isabella approached, nodding at the woman’s eloquent philosophizing.  “If only we could learn this wisdom of the birds, we ourselves might be far better off.  Yet, I suppose - were that so - we would have no present need of this summit and, therefore, would not be here now to meet.  I think I may well say that the absence of that silverlining would be a sad thing, indeed.”  

She paused, searching for the words to explain herself.  “I am not glad of war or conflict, but I am glad to be here.  Perhaps it is merely my own Iberian extraction, but I find there to be something very pleasant about Portugal.  The winds are warm, the skies are large, and the sea is brilliant.  And, for my part, I am glad to meet with new cultures.  While anguish can follow from difference, beauty, too, can be realized out of differences when they are met with grace and dignity.”

Smiling softly, Isabella’s aspect brightened.  “I shall most readily agree to that!” she enthused.  “I like most to be surrounded by friends, new and old, alike.  I am most happy to meet you, Your Highness,” she added.  “And I hope soon to call you both friend and ally.  I hope that your family, and His Majesty the Emir, are all in good health?  Lisbon is new for all of us, but I do believe you and I have an advantage over many of ther others, living in neighboring nations, no?”

Upon the young Queen’s understanding, Aaliyah grinned, her posture relaxing a bit as she nodded. “ Such is a pleasure few living things get to enjoy. For something to not be ridden or hunted by man to eat or to feel the burden that men do... They must truly be Allah’s favorite.” Aaliyah smiled softly, looking to the barren location and envisioning the home and the lives within it that would soon be standing there vividly.

Snapping back to reality, she nodded again. “Yes... Maybe...” She paused. She was wise for someone her age, or at least, that had been what she was told. “I think that it is our desire for so much.... Because we think more, you see.... I do not know the word for it-- “ She paused, touching her temple. “ Inside here, our minds... There is something ...complicant...” She hesitated,knowing that wasn’t the correct word. “The more we know, the more we wish to know. Bird do not have that. I think we would be happier if we did not want for so much.” She sighed. It was hard to express, but the desire of men lead them to foolish actions, Aaliyah knew them. She wished she could articulate better how happy it would be if people’s needs were as simple as birds, but knew from past experience that saying things like that out loud made her seem foolish.

Turning back to the woman, Aaliyah dismissed her attendants with a wave of her hand, instructing them in her native tongue to take a break and drink water before extending her hand to the queen, gesturing for her to walk along side her. “ Conflict is...hard on it’s people, but at times, part of life...” She shrugged, used to war in a sense, even if she wasn't fond of it. Aaliyah understood it as just one of those flaws in humanity that was better left to The One who decided the way of the world. Instead, she chose to focus on the pleasantries of the conversation, not as skilled as her aunt in preaching the values of their beliefs. “Learning from others can be good...” She agreed, withholding her opinion that it could be bad, too. “ Here it is different, but the same...” She noted. “ I think I will be happy, in time.”

As she walked, her pace slow, she noted the energy and excitement Isabella seemed to speak with.“You are very...agreeable.” She offered, hoping it was the right term, not wanting to offend. “ I too, hope for this. For peace and understanding... We have all grown tired of fighting and losing... To make an ally of all would be best.” She agreed with a nod. “ And an ally is a friend, is it not?” She smiled, nodding yet again as she strolled past a pond and gave pause there. “I think I have heard that other places are not as warm... I cannot image how they fare here. I, however, feel fine. It is an advantage, yes...”

[theprincessaaliyah]

👁‍🗨

👁‍🗨- Talk about someone/something you like, but pretend to dislike

Parties and large social gatherings.

Aaliyah pretty much despises parties. She’s young and very attached to her faith and the preaching of it that suggests modesty, and too often at parties she bares witness to drunkenness and fornication.  She is also expected to act within her title to great lengths, which she does without complaint but dislikes being ogled and standing around saying and doing nothing beyond being showed off. She pretends to be enjoying herself and the conversation being had with her but behind her convincing smile she’s desperate to leave.

[rp-meme-glaceon]

Force my Muse to Spill their Secrets

🌧- For a heavy, emotional secret

🙃- For a lighter, slightly embarrassing secret

🌟- For a secret wish or desire of theirs

🍏- For something they secretly wish didn’t exist

🍎- For something they secretly wish did exist

❤️- For a secret crush

📲- Talk about someone/something you dislike, but only pretend to like

👁‍🗨- Talk about someone/something you like, but pretend to dislike

🍻- For something bad/mischievous you did as a child or teen that your parents don’t know about

🌜- For a ‘weird’ habit or tic that no one knows about

💃- For a talent that they like to keep hidden from others

🏹- For a talent they wish they had

👻- For something that scares or disturbs them, but they refuse to tell anyone

☢️- For a controversy or scandal they have been able to keep mostly under wraps

🐇- For a secret item they keep (stuffed animal, comfort object, etc)

📒- For a secret journal/diary they keep (Bonus: Share an entry from it!)

📔- For a secret sketchbook they keep (Bonus: Share a sketch or doodle within it!)

🖤- For something they secretly wish they could do with your muse

❓- Free Space! Ask them about a specific secret!

[theprincessaaliyah]

isabellaanscarids​: 

Isabella’s arrival to Lisbon was not proving so fortunate as she might have hoped.  Almost the instant she had arrived, she’d set out with a few others to see the sights…and been parted from them quite by accident.  (Her curiosity had caused her to peer longer at a particular feat of architecture than the rest and, by the time she turned back, her companions were all gone.). So it was that Isabella came to be wandering about Lisbon in search of her companions.

Spotting a beautiful woman giving orders, her curiosity once again caught up with her.  Striding towards her, Isabella bowed her head respectfully.  “Are you building a birdcage?” she asked, rhetorically, as the woman’s comments had made that clear enough.  “How marvellous!  Please, you must tell me what sort of birds you mean to foster here.  There is nothing so delightful as songbirds, yet nothing so intriguing as parrots and their ilk.  Truly, I think I must stop myself,” she laughed.  “Before I launch into an unwarranted tirade upon the virtues of all types of birds.”

She paused, bit her lip.  “But I am being intolerably rude.  Pray pardon me.  I have no attendant to introduce me properly, so I shall say only that I am the Queen of Scots - sister to the King of Castile which, if I am not mistaken in taking your accent for a Cordóban,” she added with a brilliant smile.  “Means we are allies, already.”

Her instructs paused when Aaliyah heard a voice, it’s elevated tone sounding like she was excited, the princess not having to wait long to learn while. Though she was initially startled, she smiled knowing that someone besides herself was just as fond of birds. Before she could respond, however, the woman was off, her speech swift and almost hard to keep up with as the fair woman rambled on. Though here eyes were wide in surprise at the suddenness of it all, Aaliyah let out a soft, amused chuckle at the action, finally getting a chance to speak after the woman managed to contain herself.

“Not a cage, a home. A cage is a prison for animals -- here they will have water to drink and bath, fruit to eat, room to fly and friends to keep their company. They will be happier than a beast in a cage.” She gently but sternly corrected. Though they would be captive, Aaliyah wanted to do what she could to keep her new pets happy, hating the idea of them being treated like criminals in prisons and not wanting them to be seen as such. “I will keep many different kinds here... They are not like us; they can live together in harmony and share without seeing what makes them different. They can be a family...” She smiled.

After asserting herself as a mother to these creatures rather than a ruler of them, Aaliyah offered the woman a formal greeting as she assessed her. “A queen, you say?” She echoed, looking her over and finding her too young to be so. Maybe her understanding of the term queen was incorrect, as she assumed it to mean the wife of a ruler, thus in her eyes, her mother was a queen and her father, a king. Aaliyah was still trying to understand how there could be so many kings and queens, but out of respect, she bowed as she was taught. “I am Aaliyah, the daughter of the great Emir.” She announced proudly. “It is nice to meet you, Queen of Scots.. It is always good to meet an ally in such times.”

[theprincessaaliyah]

dilozdemir​: 

         in her yet short life, dilşah had been granted what she believed to be the greatest of gifts: travel. born in the sumptuous court of edirne, shuttled to a nation on the cusp of reconstruction, albania, as a mere girl to marry a husband who toted her around the balkan states––from albania to croatia, croatia to serbia, serbia to the ancient macedonia, the alleged birthplace of alexander himself–– as a prize to be won, she immersed herself in various cultures, creeds, and peoples. having never traveled farther west than the adriatic sea, however, dilşah had been exceedingly pleased to be extended an invitation to join the ottoman retinue in portugal –– descending upon the lisbon port with a great elation and anticipation welling within her bosom.

the valide had very quickly taken to her four-poster, shedding the frights of the lengthy journey with a light sleep, before entrenching herself in business and agreeing to meet with her daughter, the intuitive and much-beloved hürrem sultan. dilşah was thus free to roam palace grounds, unsurprised to see the cordoban princess basking under the iberian sun that had tinted her flesh with a splendid golden shimmer. dilşah tilted her head as she approached, putting two and two together as the artist took cues from aaliyah and the architect she’d conscripted sketched her ideas as swiftly as she voiced them.

“ah,” the cariye lilted, grinning toward the princess, “are you a fancier of birds, your highness? you must ensure they have a little shade, as i am told the portuguese sun is quite unlike any other, for it burns as hotly as the romance between the king and queen themselves.” 

Her fingers busied themselves with her curls, twisting them around her index as she watched carefully the sketch that was being made. It had to be perfect as it was to be her pride and joy as well as a source of entertainment and a sign of luxury. Aaliyah imagined that once completed, her aviary would stand as something to impress, bringing whomever she was set to entertain to show her prized possession. “No, the top must be higher than me--” She began in a scolding tone, about to explain that it must be big enough to stand inside when she was interrupted by someone. She turned to lock eyes with Dilşah, a woman of the Ottomans, her mother’s people and likewise her own. A smiled grew on her face as she greeted the woman.

“More fond of them than they are of me.” She joked, though her cage was too barren to prove otherwise. “They were one of the first gifts I had been given as a child and remain as something I treasure; I enjoy watching them, but they are frightful and fly away one their own. As wrong as it feels to keep them, I get great joy in having them to myself.” She admitted in a bitter-sweet tone before turning to face the woman again, dark eye previously locked on the sketch coming to life before her.

With a smile still etched into place, Aaliyah shook her head at the woman’s advice. “They will have everything they need -- the sun and water they will receive will be the right amount, but the sun will burn as Allah wills it to. No king nor queen has a say in such thing. They can love, but it is no greater than any other love.”

[vickys]

TUT: Meet Suhad.

[theprincessaaliyah]

ofivna​: 

status: open ! location: palácio da correio-mor

the princess was beyond delighted to have found a harp in the palace that the holy roman empire was being housed in. before leaving croatia, she thought about bringing her treasured instrument to lisbon with her just in case she needed a distract but decided against it at the last minute. the thought that there were many things to do, many people to see, not to mention she had her son along with her made her decide against it. if anything, she could just find someone to build one for her should the need— or itch rather— to play arises. 

ivana’s fingers seemed to have mind of its own, plucking and picking at the carefully tuned strings with great finesse. music filled and reverberated throughout the room. in a way, ivana was enveloped by the music, completely lost in it. the room she was in overlooked the gardens, adding to the ambiance. momentarily, it gave her comfort; a sense of familiarity in a foreign land. she lost track how much long she’s been playing. time had truly caught up with her, fingers starting to hurt from all the plucking, stopping after a couple of pieces. the princess took her time to catching her breath, only to be surprised. 

“forgive me,” ivana bowed her head apologetically. “i was not aware i had an audience else i would have played something less melancholic,” she bashfully added. “i haven’t played in quite a while so the pieces you’ve heard might have not been the best. i apologize.”

Her father was meant to be attending some something with some men -- she wasn’t listening when it was explained to her, even though she pretended to. While she did her duties diligently, most of the things leaders spoke of and did were lost on Aaliyah, who simply smiled and did as she was told until she could be dismissed to her own entertainment. Today was no different, as her father was both most likely attempting both to foster peace and show off his unwed daughter for good measure. Once she had done what she needed to do, she was excuses, taking her leave with a smile and leaving to wander the home of whomever lived here. She made sure to stay within some manner of boundaries and not go anywhere she shouldn’t have been, but the more she wandered, the more Aaliyah found herself being drawn to a strange sound.

It was soft and melodious although foreign to her ears. Somehow, her feet took over, leading her to the sound and moving faster as it got louder. While she wasn’t quite running, by the time she had found the source of the music, Aaliyah was slightly out of breath, prompting her to lean on the frame of the door for support as she looked around the room. There she found a woman sat by a strange looking thing that was clearly an instrument and the music she heard, but how come she had never seen such a thing before? Closing her eyes, her breath caught itself as she let the music fill her, leading her into a heavenly trance and lulling her into a daydream before suddenly stopping. 

Her eyes fluttered open to meet the woman who had been playing staring back, a small frown on Aaliyah’s face before she returned the woman’s gesture. “I was not aware such a thing existed.” She countered as she fixed her eyes on the instrument. “ What is melancholic? “ She questioned, unsure of the word as her tongue tripped over it. “ Does it mean beautiful?”

[theprincessaaliyah]

devidaure​: 

There was to be no love shared between herself and any member of the Cordoban household. No love,  even if they had no clue what they had done to her future, her inheritance and family name, she could find no cause or no way to forgive them. Revenge ran deep, as much so as it did for the women in her family who had been ruined by greedy, lusting men. 

So why had she found herself wondering the path towards the residence that kept such a daily and their courtiers? Why had she allowed herself to trip over the wires of temptation to see her sworn enemies face to face. There was no answer, as there never was for Lucrezia, who hid her scorn and hatred with a smile as poised as the one she’d offer her Queen. Temptation may be the folly of all the women that were born beneath the de Vidaure name, but Lucrezia would not allow it to ruin her. Instead, she would use it   — twisting it’s wetness within her hands to make it something worthwhile. 

When she heard the woman’s voice she moved in closer, her skirts draped behind her — she had chosen to swap her day-to-day Fashion ensemble for something that closely resembled her home colours. Aragon still weighed heavily in her heart, and though she was more pessimistic than everything else, she still hoped to see the royal family rise their head from the ashes made by Cordoba. 

“Excuse my presence, my lady,” she called, letting the other acknowledge her before risking an approach. By look alone she guessed that she was a Princess, the daughter of the man who had taken the lands that were her’s by birthright. She wondered, did the Princess know of how many lives he had taken? Did she know what evil she had been born into? Yet, she smiled  — offering the Princess a soft kindness as she bowed her head. “I seem to have lost my way, but I couldn’t help but overhear… Are you a fan of birds?”

 Busying herself with the placement of the home for her soon-to-be new pets, Aaliyah did not notice anyone approach until the voice came through to her, calling her eyes to attention. Finding a face like hers, there was a fleeting moment of comfort that her countrymen may have come to keep her company, but it was sadly short lived when Aaliyah noted the garb of the woman. It wasn’t from her home country, which made Aaliyah’s smile fall, but only a small bit, still keep a kind one in place. To return the greeting she mimicked the woman, though it was one unfamiliar to her, she was making attempts to fit in somewhat. “ You presence is nothing to excuse.” She explained, waving off any worry the woman may have had. “ Are you also new to this place? I too, have also gotten lost in this place. I am afraid I cannot offer you direction, if it is that which you have come for, but I am sure we can find someone who can lead you to where you need to be.”

It was all she could offer, as the young princess had yet to learn her own way and relied heavily on guards and natives. The least she could do was offer one of her many attendants as a guardian of sorts to ensure the lady’s safety. Their task was to guard, after all, was it not? She had many, surely one would not make a difference in her own safety.

Snapping out of her thoughts when the question was posed. “Yes!” She exclaimed with great excitement. “ They are beautiful -- like something from a story. How they fly... It is like magic.” She sighed dreamily. “ I had many in my home which I had to leave behind; this is be the new home for the ones that I find. I will tend to them myself as I did at my home. They will bring my great joy and luck...” She openly admitted with a wide smile.

Apart from the women in her own court, whom all seemed like they were there to serve and agree rather than keep company, Aaliyah was alone. Her parents were busy and the woman assigned to her side were often enraptured with the newness surrounding that they made for poor company, obsessed with handsome faces and the different fashions to the point where it was all they seemed to be able to talk about. It was a lonely, horrible, isolating feeling. Aaliyah felt alone and unheard, which only fueled her desire to acquire new pets. They would listen and make up for the role in which her helpers did not. They would be her friends...

“Are you a fan of them as well?” Aaliyah asked with hopeful eyes.