#thearcanaprojects

Rosie's most toxic relationships would be with Nadia and Asra. To the point if given the chance she would absolutely eat them. Nadia and Asra managed to capture her inspite of her best efforts. Which is not an easy thing to do. And I'm sure it's due to Asra draining the magician that it's possible. Nadia treats her like an attack dog and keeps her away from anything that will boost her strength. Water, sunlight, prayer, and even has Asra put on a collar that silences her (she can only speak when spoken to by Nadia or Asra specifically.) AND dampens her Magic. So, there's a lot of turmoil there.

She cares about Ilya and Portia a lot. But also know that at this point they're both a little too far gone for her to be able to do anything on her own. So, she lends her help to MC to free these two. Though if she can save them she will she just needs help. Portia and Ilya try to be kind to her. But, Asra often reprimands them for doing so. I like to think Ilya has told both Asra and Nadia that she's let her own death into her home and it won't end well.

Muriel is a little easier to break through to on her own. And being their both in a similar spot (Rosie's used for war.) They're very kind to each other. This depending on route would be one where Muriel does break out of his mindset with MCs help and becomes an ally.

Vlastomil has some vague clue about what's going on and has tried to help her and failed. This incarnation definitely views her as a friend. And he tries to help her communicate to Count Montag what's happened to no avail.

Valerius, she loves to annoy him. Being an incarnation of The World she watches him garden in amusement. But, she never judges. Sometimes she'll help by over correcting a mistake he made. (His sweet potatoes have invaded his house before.) He gets annoyed, but it's quickly forgotten when he sees how big his fruits and vegetable are. Nadia keeps them apart as much as she can.

I haven't thought about Andrea and Agata. They probably don't interact with her a whole lot. But like her company.

Devarshi... oh man. If anyone has read my story Thistles and Thorns - you know why this one hurts. In this AU Rosie managed to make the deal with Death, but unlike Vlademar made damn sure Devarshi would live a normal life. Death happily let them be reincarnated into the life they have now after time passed. As both a show of good faith and to rub salt into her wounds. It's hard for her to look at Devarshi. But everyone does note how protective she is of them. Devarshi doesn't know and probably never will. But enjoys their time together and has learned a great deal from her. She seems familiar and they don't know why.

Count Montag. This blessed well meaning goober. He thought Nadia and Rosie were friends for a time. And before the plague and ritual is when he realized it wasn't the case and something sinister was going on. But if the AU follows the original to some degree well... *motions* he forgot and doesn't pick up on what's wrong until it's almost too late. He does end up asking for her help and freeing her.

And depending on the route MC takes. (My partner in this case.) Would depend on who she ends up with. If you chose Andrea she's with Montag. If you choose Nadia it's Valerius. And there's probably one where it's Devarshi or even Ilya by some miracle.

“It couldn’t be…”

I looked at Andrea and the others, my hand threaded through my hair.

“What are we going to do?!” Andrea was distressed as we all were.

“I don’t know. This isn’t good.” Vlastomil Mused as he tried calming Agata.

I could barely hear anyone over my own thoughts as my mind reeled with possibilities. It wasn’t until Devarshi pulled me out of my own head that I realized I had been dissociated.

“You noticed too?” They asked me gently.

I nodded, “And I let my wife… Twenty One forgive me. I’ll be back!”

I turned on my heel and I sprinted for the terrarium room my wife kept her in. Did Nadia truly leave behind such an important piece of her plan? Or did she see herself above it? And how could I have not known? How could I have let the others torment her so? I felt guilt bubbling up in my belly like a geyser about to blow.

I let this happen. All of her approaches. Her clues. I ignored them! She knew what Nadia was up to and tried telling me. 

She was here.

When I reached the terrarium I entered hoping the half baked plan I had would work. That she would agree to it. I looked around the terrarium in wonder. Her work had always been glorious. She and Valerius always made a team even the Gods would blush at. It showed even now. Monstrous flowers and plants bloomed in every corner of this room. It was almost unnatural.

But, I knew she was here waiting. If my theory was right - she was on our side and has been waiting for me to notice. To approach and ask for help.

“Ms. Lovecraft?” my voice echoed through the room, bioluminescent plants lit up around me.

She could eat me alive if she wished. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw her sitting on a bench. My shoulders fell as I noted the gentle smile she gave me.

“Please, I’m sorry. You gave me so many warning signs and I ignored them.”

I thought back to the books and notes she left. She never spoke a word. But, I had a feeling that was the work of Asra and Nadia, and the collar he forced her to wear. I could feel my knees shaking as I recalled the first time I saw Nadia sick her on some opponents in the battle field.

“You know what happened?” I asked.

Her brow quirked and she smirked looking at the view above us and then back to me.

“Ms. Lo- Rosie…” I carefully approached noting the moving flora around us, “I apologize for my discrepancies. I know who and what you are now. And… I need your help. We need your help.”

I watched her body language as she leaned back into her seat watching me intently.

“I…” I was looking for the words, but was failing to find what I wanted to say.

When Nadia said she had The World in her hands. I thought it was figurative. But, I now knew she was speaking in literal terms. I kneeled in front of her and bowed my head. Tears welling up in my eyes. I was about to speak again when I felt her hand on my shoulder.

“I want to make a deal. Please, I wouldn’t ask for your help if this wasn’t important. And… I don’t expect you to accept. Not after I- I let them treat you the way they did.” I looked up.

“I’ll free you and serve you from here on out. But, please help us conquer Nadia and the others.”

My platinum eyes met her amber eyes. A smile appeared on her face as the flowers in the room bloomed. I took that as a yes as I kissed her hand making the pact.

She gently pulled on the collar around her neck. With my left hand I grabbed where the lock was and squeezed it as tightly as possible, breaking it. It fell to the ground with a clunk.

“We have to find them. I… I know what must be done.”I looked down ashamed before standing up.

“My tribe… we used to fast. A form of ancient prayer to the deities we worshipped.” I watched her face contort into a dark smile, her eyes lighting up. “My people have never had to starve, to fight to survive in such a manner.”

I took another breath, “And while I do pride myself in taking care of my people and creating such a place where that hardship is not needed… right now - we need a motivator. My people will forgive me once they are aware of the seriousness of what’s happening.”

I held out my hands and let her place hers in mine. I knew if we did this it wouldn’t be for long. So, I held no qualms in inconveniencing my people. And by forcing people to pray to her it would increase her strength. And she would need it for this fight.

“It will draw them out and restore your magic in full. I will take full blame. I’m so sorry…”

There was a soft huff, “Sacrificing your clean name and reputation for me. What a dedication my dear starlight.”

My eyes widened as she spoke. I had never heard her voice before today and it was worth the years of waiting.

“Let’s go.” She said leading the way.

I kept up pace. I felt the ground shake with each step she took. Not even in her true form and it was affecting our surroundings. Had the collar dampened her magic? When we got to the main ballroom we passed the others heading outside.

“Montag what’s going on?” Devarshi asked.

“Rosie and I know how to draw them out, but…” I started.

“You’re not…” Valerius stared at me wide eyed before his gaze moved to Rosie who was in front of the steps to the palace.

“Montag! This will devastate the entire city!” Agata protested.

“No, he’s onto something. If she drains the city… it will take almost all magic with it. Which means…” Andrea started.

“They won’t be able to hide or draw magic from this place.” Vlastomil stated, “Montag how did you…”

“I ignored a lot during my time as Count. And even more when everything started happening. I let her be abused by the others. Thinking it was family bonding.” I stated as we watched as the spring disappeared. Color draining from Vesuvia.

Then her form shifted. Bones and muscle cracked and changed her form shifting into one I knew all too well. Teeth bared and claws dug into the ground below as she drained the magic from the city. There was a roar almost like the sound of a whale in distress as the flowers that adorned her bloomed.

I could hear whispered panic as Rosie left only existing produce and food.

“You better be right about this.” Andrea said, looking at me.

“I have to be…” I swallowed watching as Rosie’s true form let out another cry before I spoke.

“Citizens of Vesuvia. I have taken the magic and spring until we have Captured Nadia and her Court. It turns out she isn’t the ally she promised to be. And The World has agreed to help, but we must work together! This is the only way.” I let my voice boom though it was filled with regret.

I could hear the chatter. Most folks seemed to show understanding and agreed to help, while a few did throw some colorful names my way. I looked at Rosie watching her form shift back into something more human. I could see the colors swirling around her, whorls of magic zipped about as she bowed to the citizens.

She looked like herself. Her Rose Crown was in full bloom and the tendrils adorned with teeth no longer hidden in hair and ribbons. She was no longer weak and frail. I offered her my hand as she took it. I prayed I was right in doing this.