EMPEROR

     ❝…❞ Did Nero just give him a piece of gum? ❝I…what?❞ He could not eat it? Why not? Was there something special about this single piece of candy that he was unaware of? Some magical abilities that might be contained within it so hidden, he could not sense even an ounce of mana wafting from its sugary goodness? The more he stared at that piece of gum at the center of his palm, the more he began to question his own thought of it being anything but what it was. ❝…Emperor of Roses…are you…keeping gum like you would a favored stone in your pocket…?❞ Was it now as hard as one? So inedible that you could probably hurl it at someone’s head and knock them out cold? Questions.

Congratulations on the quote of the year, Madej.

          a chill washed over him when a familiar voice echoed throughout the halls.  eyes enlarged , irises shrunk , behind taut lips jaw clenched as breath hissed from his nostrils.  brace yourself , the roman emperor herself has returned.  and she is feeling extra affectionate.     “   catch what –    ”     he whirls to glance backwards , expecting a flying rosy-cheeked and wide-eyed nero hurdling at him with arms wide open and outstretched to embrace his grander stature.  but no.  it was worse , far worse.  what was being hurdled at him was not the emperor but instead a physical manifestation of her kisses in the visage of a glowing pair of lips doused in vibrant red.  he blinked once , twice , bewildered at what he was witnessing and questioning if nero was capable of this magic in the first place?!  hand bolts for the revolver at his hip , but he was too late.  before he could whip it out and let the bullet pop the befuddling manifestation , it slammed into his face.  exploding into an illuminated smoke screen of roses and red , like a large balloon popping into his face.  the sensation winds down within a snap , and he opens his eyes after shaking his head oblivious to the kiss mark on his cheeks.  a momentary pause , line of sight targets nero , more silence and then finally … from the depths of his belly , a bellow :     “   nero claudius!!!  just what was THAT!?   ”

Karna smiled briefly. “I fell asleep quickly enough. It was a hot day, and Adhiratha’s voice was a patient rumble above me. He knew how to be a storyteller, my father, and I was an eager listener. I woke when we headed home, determined to do better, but he said I was a child and it was alright for me to sleep the first time. I held the memory close, after I had to leave home to rule Anga as a king. Does that fulfill your wish?”

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