&

i think that is why her conversation with occ.tis about the ein.fasens is so profound. 'the einfasens will learn the hard way not to trust the tach.onis' / 'they will learn the exact same lesson you did' opens up a deeper conversation: if royce had power, instead of having it stripped from them, would they be doing the same thing?

i think the answer is yes. i say this with the caveat the ara.nessa is a kind, loving, compassionate person. from what we've seen, she cares deeply for the orchard and her vassal houses and almost anyone she comes into contact with. but she also doesn't flinch at the violence of the ein.fasen or the brutality of the tach.onis. she is nobility who was once in possession of an incredible amount of power, land, wealth, and status. maybe she would not have done similar things in the name of gaining more power or ruling over everyone else. but perhaps she would grasp at power to keep those she loved safe? to protect her land and title? to bring her version of peace and prosperity to aramán?

[ @troublemqkers | from thjazi!! ]

aranessa's fingers curl into the back of a wooden chair at the head of her father's meeting table. missives and maps, ledgers and tallies, are spread out before them. together, they paint a complete picture of castle royce and the golden orchard. with the war of axe and vine ended and what threat there had been to her house eliminated, aranessa has been tasked with taking an account of her families' lands and estate. with it, comes the counting of the people and their grievances. grievances which, it appears, have moved the heart of one thjazi fang.

" there cannot be stability without legitimacy, thjazi. " her voice is level, despite the passion he conveys in his own. what more is to be expected of her when she plays the diplomat? " i understand your frustration with the workings of the houses, i do. but is has not been long since the last god was felled. the world has changed so much, but not everything can be made new in a day. "

𝖗𝖔𝖒𝖆𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖈 𝖈𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎𝖉𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖘 for the lady royce .

" the lady vaelus is rather beautiful. " and strong, and fierce. all are qualities aranessa finds attractive in another. " yet ... i cannot help but feel that she harbors some mistrust for me. " a hunch. " perhaps it is only my poor attempts at conversation which have muddled the waters between us. i do tend to find myself tripping over my words when speaking to her. "

𝖗𝖔𝖒𝖆𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖈 𝖈𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎𝖉𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖘 for the lady royce .

" halandil is ... well, he is thjazi's brother. " when she looks upon his face, she sees the parts of her husband that they share: the same brow, the same crooked smile. it brings her both great grief and great comfort. " it is hard to think of him as anything other than what he is. "

𝖗𝖔𝖒𝖆𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖈 𝖈𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎𝖉𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖘 for the lady royce .

" primus? primus tachonis? " aranessa's voice is sharp, her usual air of civility replaced with thinly veiled rage. " the man who ordered the slaughter of my vassal houses? who orchestrated the death of his own son? whose children cut down the orchard and murdered my brother in cold blood? who wished me dead for no other reason than to take the orchard for himself? " this must be some type of cruel jest. " i would never stoop so low as to debase myself with the affections of such a vile man. "