it's awfully hard to say no to her highness, isn't it?

Evening Dress by Christian Dior

c. 1954

what, you guys didn't get the 'symon holl kills everyone with an axe' ending? it's not hard, i even got the achievement for it!

Gold and almandine necklace uncovered in Pest County, Hungary, circa 420-450 AD

Edith Small Seafoam Blue Rhinestone Lace Tulle One-Shoulder Dress

1950s

a Suzerain fanfic

[Read on AO3]

When her colleague Ciara Walda needs a place to stay while teaching at the Deyr University of Culture, Nia Morgna surprises them both by offering her home. That first night fosters a friendship that, in these times, Nia refuses to advance into something more. Can her stubbornness prevent her feelings from taking flight?

Rating: T Relationship: Nia Morgna/Ciara Walda Length: 1900 words Additional Tags: Romance, Friends to Lovers, Pre-Canon, Canon Compliant, running with crumbs offered in codex entries

I FINALLY FINISHED IT~ this fic wouldn't have been possible without the support, encouragement, and character/worldbuilding discussions with @vice-president-galade and @poetikat <3

----- teaser snippet below -----

A whistling tea kettle brings Nia's thoughts back to the present. Ciara should arrive shortly. Her eyes sweep across her home for one final inspection. Everything's dusted and in its assigned place. The flowerpot and table runner are perfectly centered on the table, both gifts from Ciara for her hospitality. There's also a small writing desk and chair against one wall, furnishings that appeared one day but Ciara never explained how she found. She claimed that desk facilitated the writing of at least two academic articles (one that's just been accepted for publication).

Nia feels an odd note of pride over that.

If she's honest with herself, perhaps it's not so odd. The bond of friendship they formed that first night, one strengthened over the many nights Ciara has stayed here since then… it isn't so platonic for Nia now.

She'll never say that aloud, of course. Ciara is her friend, a friend who needs a place to stay in Deyr, a dear companion whenever she visits. It's hard enough to be a career-oriented woman in the current social climate. If word ever got out that Ciara was loved by another woman… it could ruin both of them.

Bi mare volu, un oxit solu 🌊☀️

Wishing everyone in Suzerain nation a very safe and happy pride month! May we all live truthfully and free!

-yes, sincerely

-yes, manipulatively

-yes, as a joke

-no

-nuance

A Christian Dior Lace Couture Gown

c. 1950

Evening dress, 1957 by Norman Hartnell

This dress was worn by Queen Elizabeth on her state visit to Canada in 1957 and is made of silk.