#lanternsmuse

SEND ME A ★ FOR MY MUSE'S REACTION TO YOURS PICKING THEM UP AND THROWING THEM OVER THEIR SHOULDER

She doesn't carry the princess so much as she drags her a couple of yards before collapsing. Besides her footprints are two trails for the princess' toes.

 who you gunna call ?

Naturally, a child of shadow and shade was definitely not at home in the kingdom of light and sunshine.

Ira could feel the brightness; it picked and itched at her skin, seared down upon delicate white flesh, flesh so used to the cool relaxation of long weeping willows and overcast days back in Umbra. Where most would consider the natural sunniness of the kingdom to be welcoming, the princess only saw it as oppressive. It beat down upon her, and it seemed to burn so hotly that it scorched her to the bone, baring her soul for all to see.

Naturally, she gave no such indication that she was any different than her normal self. A princess must always stay composed, keep a level head, and never falter from her position, a voice that sounded so very like her mother's recited in her head. Mother's or not Mother's, that voice is correct, Ira thought, straightening the fabric of her dark purple skirt. She'd dressed lighter, accommodating for the weather as directed, but she could not give up the dark hues of her family and rank. And said hues seemed to bring all eyes toward her, despite the fact that she was shut up in the shade of a palanquin, curtains drawn, a dark splotch in the middle of a clear sky.

But she wasn't here to compare herself to the citizens of the Candle Kingdom... or even its monarchs, as much distaste as she had for them (inwardly, of course; it would not due for her to appear disdainful directly). No... She was here to see that person rumored of so heavily by traders and travelers to her homeland. Her father himself had wanted to come, see if it was true; but her mother had outruled it, saying concerns at home were more important for the leading monarch. So they sent their eldest, their Ira, instead. Ira was well prepared for the task, and just as curious as anyone else, to be perfectly honest, despite the cool, polite mask she hid herself behind.

The Candle Lighter had not been present for many years now; Ira herself had been just a baby when the last one died off. The Candle Kingdom's subjects had grown anxious, nervous. The last Candle Lighters had been ancient, and the security, the sameness and routine, of their presence had vanished with their deaths. But now came the announcement of the new Candle Lighter, rumored to be the king and queen's own child... and Ira would meet him or her for herself.

Orange Blossom — Whether or not I want children

"Children serve purpose. My mother told me giving birth was one of the greatest accomplishments a woman could ever have. But she also taught me that children are tools, made to be trained and educated in the ways of their parents. So, yes, I need children, to carry on the kingdom. It's not quite a question of if I particularly want them."

Stephanotis — If I believe in good luck, bad luck, and other such superstitions

The princess scoffed a bit. "Luck. I believe in destiny. Luck has little to do with it."

Tuberose — A physical trait I find attractive

"Well, they say the eyes are windows to the soul." The girl's mouth twisted into a sly sort of smile. "Though I will not complain about a strong pair of arms or a distinctive voice either."

Lilac — Who my first love was