@soverina doubled down 🂡 — ! ‘ can i wax your hairy chest ? ’

@soverina — AU starter

Days of celebration had followed weeks of mourning.

Illness was a threat no hand or sword could protect a queen from. After the matriarch of the Boletusella family, the great and respected ruler of her kingdom, had succumbed to her disease, her daughter was next in line for the throne.

A new monarch called for a new shield, and the Mishima clan especially had trained tirelessly to prepare for the trials that followed Queen Rosa’s coronation. No monarch had ever been assassinated or maimed in their care; aside from their unmatched power, their unforgiving upbringing produced consistent results.

The clans of her kingdom demonstrated their prowess and skill before her and her subjects, ending the day’s events with a tournament to the death. While each clan put on an impressive display to earn the young queen’s eye, the patriarch of the Mishima clan made sure that his own kin would come out on top. They had protected the royal family for centuries, direct descendants of the Thunder and Wind Gods themselves—that would not change so soon.

The crowds grew loud and rowdy as the prospects dwindled, enthralled by the violence and victories. Thirty became twenty, and twenty quickly waned to few. One warrior in particular, donned in leonine traditional attire and an oni mask obscuring the lower half of his face, seemed to be earning the most praise from the crowd.

Once the dust settled, the surviving men and women from the gruelling trial stood single file along the ornate palace walls, some more bloodied and battered than others. They hailed from various regions, cultures and customs, but all had pledged their allegiance to the Boletusella family.

Queen Rosa’s advisors awaited her in the hall. Her aid Gia, an old woman dressed in the finest silks and diamonds, smiled upon her proudly as she gestured to the individuals before her.

“Ah, Your Majesty! I take it you enjoyed the day’s festivities?” The old woman motioned her along to inspect the lineup, “I have faith that you will choose as wisely as your mother did. May I introduce you to your prospective shields?”

 ‟         EEEHHHHH   ?        ------------     you   say    it    like    i   have   done   something   bad    to   that    midget / @toketsujisatsu    .     ”  

“spar with me.” she tosses a makeshift sword at her king, brilliant depths of blue glistening with an unmistakable ( and stubborn ) eagerness. she felt far more in her element with long golden hair tied up and a hilt sitting comfortably in her grasp . “i fear i may have grown a bit rusty… will you ease your adorable queen’s worries and humour her with a friendly match?”

OH, HOW HE COULD not hide the surprise that crossed his features the moment he heard those particular words. And from his wife of all people. He had heard of her prowess with a blade, but for some reason, it had never crossed his mind until this very moment. For a time, he almost was at a loss. He caught the ‘blade’ that had been tossed his way, examining it curiously for a time before attention soon was placed back upon Peach. There was always something about the way her eyes would gleam when she was determined that found a way to make his heart swell with adoration. It was said that he was a stubborn soul, but really, he would honestly say that she was ten times more so. ❝You know,❞ he began, twirling his weapon before catching it once more, ❝I have heard stories about your prowess. It is said that you are as swift as a falcon in your movements, and as accurate as a viper.❞ Lips curled into a smirk, a tease almost, if one looks closely.

He wanted to test her.

Oh, it is instinct that makes his shoulders tense up and his neck pull back followed by his hands clenched tightly at his sides and his eyes squeezing shut. He does his best to refrain from flinching but she's never come this close to him like this and now that she has... well, he doesn't know what to do other than brace for... for what? A slap? A scolding? She'd have reason to, if so!

But when blunt force doesn't come, something far softer takes its place. It is enough. It is enough it makes his eyes shoot open and his face searing hot. He's sweating but doing his best to ignore it. He really doesn't know what to do with himself now, gobsmacked as golden eyes meet rich sapphires.

      OH . OH WOW. hope i don't get sliced in half for letting my guard down. @ntzenin and @soverina vs sukuna.

nonverbal meme prompts / accepting.

--- There was a TRANQUILITY to the air around them, a sense of peace permeating the meadow as the seemingly endless expanse of flowers swayed lazily in the breeze ; sunlight beaming down from overhead, warm but not overbearingly so ( simply pleasant, comforting ). Moments such as this were to be treasured, truly, as they could be just as fleeting as they were beautiful. Even something as simple as lounging in the grass & making flower crowns using the blossoms surrounding them was PERFECTION.

" It really is a lovely day, isn't it? " Peering up to smile softly at Peach, the novelist was suddenly rendered speechless when gentle fingers placed one of the wildflowers behind her ear ; ever so carefully weaving the stem through waves of ebony. Lips parted as an awed breath left Emily and all she could do for those initial seconds, so precious & quick, was gaze into her companion's deep pools of LUMINESCENT sapphire.

Then, with a breathless burst of laughter, Emily smiled once again -- this time with the force of a thousand suns.

" Does it suit me? We're making crowns, you know, but I think I shall definitely keep this. "