#verse 14

14

We look at it, and we do not see it, and we name it 'the

Equable.'  We listen to it, and we do not hear it, and we name it 'the

Inaudible.'  We try to grasp it, and do not get hold of it, and we

name it 'the Subtle.'  With these three qualities, it cannot be made

the subject of description; and hence we blend them together and

obtain The One.

Its upper part is not bright, and its lower part is not obscure.

Ceaseless in its action, it yet cannot be named, and then it again

returns and becomes nothing.  This is called the Form of the Formless,

and the Semblance of the Invisible; this is called the Fleeting and

Indeterminable.

We meet it and do not see its Front; we follow it, and do not see

its Back.  When we can lay hold of the Tao of old to direct the things

of the present day, and are able to know it as it was of old in the

Her footsteps had carried her to the gardens of the palace. After the last royal audience with her sisters she had a terrible headache; she had, yet again, another quarrel with her younger sisters and fellow Queens. Per usual, when a consensus couldn't be met, Isabeau made the final decision and her sisters argued against her because neither sister had won but a mixture of all positions was made that, if according to plan, would serve for the better of their land.

Yet it seemed her sisters only thought of themselves and winning over the other. It only proved further their triumvirate had been formed for a reason, even if the other two sisters were still unable to see it.

The arguments, her sisters' voices, still echoed in her mind as she reached the onyx fountain at the heart of the gardens. A sculpture, made of onyx as well, in the shape of a mermaid with very realistic details decorated it. Its sight was able to bring her peace of mind, for a moment able to forget the argument with her sisters as her ocean blue eyes were set on the clear cascading water. Sitting down on the edge of the fountain's border, she dipped her hand into the water creating small waves as if to pass the time; the waves were able to bring the peace of mind she needed, an calmness she sought by herself. Though it was not meant to last for long, if the heavy steps and sound of clanking armour were to be believed. Turning her head, she found one of the members of her personal guard a few feet away from her and with a nod she awkwledged his presence as much as if he desired to speak it was all the permission he needed.

"There's someone who requires your attention," he informed her. Ah, yes, no rest for the wicked, yet another meeting. "Thank you, Charles. If you would be so kind, please, escort our guest here. I will meet them in the gardens rather than the palace." Her guard left the moment her words were spoken, leaving her alone once more yet not for long.

She did wonder who would it be, as she had no meetings schedule for the rest of the day nor any visitors were to be expected. Perhaps a lost traveler? A monarch from another land? Or something entirely different? 

Sighing, Isabeau rose to her feet and paced in motioned circles around the onyx fountain as she waited for her unexpected guest. Her steps came to a halt as she heard in the nearing distance the clank of armour once more, meaning her guard and the guest were about to arrive. And she wasn't mistaken as the golden armour came into her sight, making her smile as her guards had always been faithful to her.

"Thank you, Charles. You may leave us." She noticed the look of concern in his face, yet she dismissed it. "I will be fine, simply return to your post. If I have need of you, I shall call for you." The devotion of her guards to keep her safe was admirable, yet they had the tendency to forget she was quite capable of defending herself.

put one of the following in my inbox for my muse’s reaction

It had been so long since she had felt as free as she had as late. With no King to shackle her to the castle, Regina was free to do as she pleased. Her desire to be with Robin had far outweighed her need for revenge. The hunger dulling to a flickering flame in the pit of her stomach. She didn't need for Snow White to suffer. Not anymore. 

Weeks had passes, with little to no sight of the King's guard. They weren't after Regina. She had managed a safe, legal escape. Leopold, at least, was kind in giving her that. But that didn't pardon Robin. Still, the freedom to sleep in his arms and wake there had lightened Regina's heart, provided the opportunity and capabilities for her to love. And love him, she did. She hadn't expected the proposal, so soon after their leaving of the White Kingdom. And yet, a small part of her anticipated it, waited for it. Stiffening only slightly, wrapped in his arms, Regina smiled. Turning over was easy, but the cold breeze of air that glided over her bare back caused a shiver to course through her body. Lips parting only slightly, Regina glanced up to meet her outlaws burning gaze.

She was hesitant, and she thinks he knew that. Her marriage to the King had not been of her own choice, and while she had loved Daniel, their brief engagement had been rushed, an attempt to free her of her mother's grasp that only gave her the possibility of a life with the man she loved. Had it not been for Leopold's unexpected proposal, and her mother's expected response, they would not have been engaged. At least, not at that point. But this, what Robin was offering her, would be entirely her choice. A first of many for the once Queen. 

Put 'Claimed' in my ask box and I'll use a number generator to decide what you get:

7. A harsh insult

Regina shook her head, stepping back with a clenched jaw as she willed the tears from her eyes. “You’re nothing but a thief Robin.” She bit through her teeth, her heart clenching painfully in her chest as she continued to back away slowly. “When I leave the King, what do you expect us to do? Just - keep running? Stealing from the privileged, people I know?” 

                    That wasn’t what this was about.

                                    It was just the lesser of two evils.

Turning her back, Regina stepped forward. Tears slipped down her cheeks, and she didn’t want him to see that. She didn’t want him to see her worry, her upset, her pain. Her voice dropped, barely above a whisper as she swallowed, her throat thick with emotion. “What do you expect me to do - if you’re caught?”

         Pausing, she held her arms around her stomach, holding on to her elbows for she knew if she weren’t careful, she want to touch him. She couldn’t do that. They were so close. So very close to finally being free of her crown - but then she remembered. 

             A fugitive…

                            An outlaw…

                                           A thief…

She could lose him and then, she’d be nowhere. She’d be nothing. Unable to stomach such an idea, Regina resorted to what she knew best. What she had experienced first hand.

                             Insults.           Anger.           Disappointment.

Send ♔ for an angry voice mail

[voicemail] “Robin? Robin?! I swear to god Robin if you’re out hiding in that damned forest again I will personally hunt you down. Robin?! If my kitchen is not back to the way it was before you thought you would try to cook something in it, by the time I’m home from work, you’re sleeping on the couch. For a week. The couch. Not the guest room. Not outside in a tree. The couch.” [end voicemail]

Send ✺for a saucy text

[text] So I’m thinking whipped cream.[text] Maybe caramel.[text] If you think you’re up for it.

Send ⁇ for a worried text

[text] Robin are you okay?[text] I haven’t heard from you all day.[text] I’m getting worried Leo[text] Just let me know if you're okay. Please?

Send ♣ for a text not meant for you

“[name]…has passed away” for my character’(s’) reaction.

Backing away, her step faltering, Regina shook her head. "No." Her eyes flitting away, glancing around her for something that might dispute what she was just told. Anything that would make it seem false, though she knew it was not.

She could feel it. In her heart, in her soul, her very being felt - wrong. Robin was gone. And though it may not have been of his own choice, he had left her. 

See how my character reacts if yours says ‘you are mine.’