#duskthroned

『♚ ——   estelle didn’t expect to be found, and quickly wiped away her tears.❝ xander, how long have you been there?❞

“Is there any particular reason why, Prince Xander? Not that I’m prying, but it seems to be that you prefer your solitude.” 

“Instead, I speak with concern for the people’s welfare. You are shaping into a worse tyrant than I. There is no benefit to be had in your conduct; surely, you’ve not blinded yourself to your blunders yet. Can’t you see the suffering you’ve rendered unto the populace?”

The title of king was a heavy burden to bear. No matter what one did, there were always the naysayers. A leader could never, ever come out on top, it seemed. Regardless of the strong mask Xander wore, it didn’t mean cracks couldn’t form beneath the surface. Whenever a new one struck, the elder vanished into his study; a safe-haven of warmth and familiarity; something even Takumi did as a prince back in Hoshido. Everything still felt new and strange; unused to reaching out, despite breaking from his own shell with the other’s help. And it was his turn to return the favor. No matter what, he would work his way beneath it all; prove that he could protect and nurture just the same. ❝ Xander? ❞ he asked as the door silently opened. Only the flicker of candlelight answered, the crown pri—no, king, obviously deep in thought and transfixed on whatever was before him. With a tired smile, Takumi eased into the room, coming up from behind the other’s chair. Nimble fingers pet and stroked at fine golden locks, both in attempt to relax and gain attention. Voice soft (and still sheepish, despite their marriage), he pushed further, ❝ You know, it doesn’t do you any good to be up so late. A king needs rest, just like anyone else. ❞ A hum escaped between pursed lips, flustered at the idea of speaking so... comfortably now. To hide any embarrassment, he nestled his face into the elder’s hair. ❝ Is something the matter? ❞

Finally I’ll talk about @duskthroned. Koi is a grand buddie. Gets more shit than he deserves, that’s for sure. He’s a fun guy and I do enjoy it whenever I talk with him. I wish he wasn’t so hard on himself though.)

Takumi had been doing his best to go unnoticed ever since whatever happened that make him turn into this... bunny like creature. He doesn’t get it. Nor does he enjoy it. Whenever he gets spotted, there’s one of two reactions. Flabbergasted stares and him being picked up and hugged. Both things are embarrassing to the prince. So, he wasn’t too happy when he got noticed by Prince Xander when the Nohrian entered his room so suddenly. “Can’t you knock?” he squeaks at the man, attempting to cross his stubby little arms.

“Yeah well, it’s bad enough that you know what I’m like when nobody’s looking  - my life will be ruined if the rest of the army know.” And his siblings. And the other noble houses. Heck, if word got out about Charlotte’s violent streak she wouldn’t even be able to speak to a servant, let alone somebody that could land her in a position of wealth. “Do you have any idea how exhausting it is to play the weak, selfless maiden? Gods if I knew I was going to screw up this badly I should never have bothered...” There really wasn’t any point putting the act back up around the prince after that little - ahem - display.

Spirits still haunted the landscape, repeating over and over in their incandescent bloodshed. While Hoshido was cleansed and exorcised what must have been a hundred times over, the phantoms of Nohr were far from quiescent. Pity tugged at the young king’s heart as requests from neutral and Nohrian denizens alike poured out before him, begging for his conjuring powers to be put to swift use—to cleanse villages, wipe battlefields, give final messages to loved ones before they passed to the other side. What could be done, though, if it wasn’t his territory to purge? A shaking alliance could be tightened, his youngest sister had once said, already grown into her role as Royal Advisor easier than he ever could have for Ryouma. Even as a king himself, Takumi had troubles with reaching out, but learning the words of an enemy were just as important as learning the words of a friend, even more so if one eventually turned to the other. Swayed by Sakura’s suggestion, he’d uneasily sent message to the Nohrian King requesting a conference; an offer to assist in their deceased’s passing and strengthen their bond. Travel through Nohr was kept light, with only Hinata and Oboro by his side. Following suit, a band of Hoshidan troops marched a mile behind, their armor indistinct to prevent drawing too much attention as they traversed the massive underground tunnels and bridges. Within a fortnight the walls of Castle Krakenburg had been reached, the guards already expectant of their arrival. With near perfect efficiency, soldiers and retainers were escorted one way while the Hoshidan King was led in direct route to the throne room through labyrinthine halls. Words were suddenly lost upon entrance to the tenebrous chamber. Eyes slowly narrowed, smoldering in their hazy purple glow as wicked smog filtered and rose beneath lashes. Corners of lips curled down in a close-mouthed snarl, almost lost as the expression forcefully righted itself so as to not betray unfavorable thoughts. Memories suddenly surged forth in a tidal wave of fury. Hazy it was around the edges, but the center so clear—Sakura frightened as she caught Takumi in the archery ring, arrows splintered dead-center by others, over and over as his rage enveloped all sense of time and being. In that moment he thought of nothing more than the glory that would attach itself to his name if he’d been the one sending an arrow through the High Prince’s throat, gore a violent and hypnotizing red as he gasped for a breath that wouldn’t come. Savage passions had been tamed once the war ended, but nor was he eager to bend at the knee and grovel. All this was was a long-winded and unnecessary courtesy. Truly, they didn’t have to meet; have to play this game of pageantry and pretend their concord was anything but beyond fragile, cracks ebbing their way beneath the surface. The people needed their pains eased, though, and what did it mean to be a king if he did not strive to assist and protect those weaker than himself? ❝ Your highness, ❞ Takumi issued flatly, offering a bow at the waist. Almost too soon he rose, even before it was commanded of him. There came an aseptic lack of expression; clear that a venomous mood was an understatement. False pleasantries were immediately eschewed, deemed worthless. ❝ I don’t wish to overstay my welcome, nor burden you any longer. I know you’ve offered us an extended stay in your castle, which is appreciated fully, but we’ve decided to make for the first location tomorrow morning. I’m sure you want the job done just as quickly as I do. No need to delay the inevitable any further. ❞ A prolonged stare zeroed in on the King, frigid while examining the high throne. Back when they’d met on the battlefield, it always looked as if Xander was carrying a burden too heavy to bear, but now it seemed as if the passing of warfare and forced peace agreed with him, bringing forth a more relaxed presence. It only served to provoke a bitterness within, bones wanting to suddenly grow through his skin. No... It would do no good to stay here, despite how drained he and his soldiers were from their travels. Before any semblance of weakness could convince him to give in to the elder’s previous offer, he stated, ❝ All I ask for is provisions for the next couple weeks as we run through the northern territories of Nohr. Then we’ll be out of your way until our next run in a few months. ❞