Anarion

Princess-Champions of Hyperborea

Kazelia had a bad feeling when she saw the snowfall. She didn't think Oberon would have been able to penetrate Argossa that quickly. Certainly not in the face of Ourania resisting him, without the Caduceus or most of his children. Which meant he'd pulled out some kind of trick or cheat. And, if Ourania had let it happen, that almost certainly meant that she was doing it to stall for time, knowing that this crew would come save her. It was a heavy burden. While she felt confident that they could face her Father and win, she wasn't sure how much work the repairs were going to be, or how much harm he could cause before they got there. So, she was urging them forward.

As first mate, navigation fell to her, which did make sense considering she had the best overview of Argossa out of everyone present. She had toured it longer and flown above it in spiritual form. She was confident that the wards weren't up, she'd have felt some kind of magical warning if there were. Even so, she wasn't looking for a landing point so much as an ingress. Whatever could get them into the upper levels of Argossa as fast as possible.

She had to admit though, she had been expecting some kind of very large but not too giant serpent to at least accompany them on the way in if not try to block their passage. This suggested that Ourania was expecting them or that the tree's defenses were distracted. Maybe both.

Regardless, Kazelia gave the wheel a spin and set course for the branches of Argossa head on.

Princess-Champions of Hyperborea

Kazelia gasps when Alina and Rhyza walk in, and she too blushes deeply. That is...quite...an outfit. She squeezes Kyouko's hand to let her know that, um, she's not sure exactly, that's she's having a good time and cares about her and she shouldn't get jealous of Kazelia's reaction to Alina but also it would be fine if Kyouko tried on that dress at some point, you know, maybe, if she wanted to. It's a very complex and nuanced hand squeeze!

Then, everything is going great and Rita is the center of everyone's attention. What a good thing that she was victorious in the little battle with Kyouko. This could have really escalated quickly if Alina and the very tall Jedadi mercenary had walked in on Kyouko in the middle of a villainous monologue about the three person KonKon wedding she'd be throwing with Rita tied up in a tiny tuxedo and Kazelia with a long lace veil trailing down nearly to the floor with little flowers sewn all along the seams.

Yes, everything is fine.

Princess-Champions of Hyperborea

This is so exciting! A fox ninja princess and a fierce cat princess fighting over Kazelia! She very nearly swooned from the thought! She knew enough from her time in Hyperborea thus far (and Kyouko's lecture on kidnapping earlier) that she probably shouldn't interfere. She was the kidnapee, she was supposed to just relax. But she couldn't help herself just a little. Rita had been so good to her and the poor girl had done so much to clean things up Feloria with barely any reward. She deserved a little victory. Plus, despite the Labazaar, Kazelia apparently hadn't gotten enough of being tied up to together with Kyouko. She smirks at the thought.

Now the key was to get the timing just right, so nobody could really be sure she was putting her magical finger on the scale here. She had to follow the fight. Kyouko leapt out of the smoke bomb, long robes obscuring the tools she's holding in her hands. She flings a row of kunai at Rita that push her backwards from the chair. They land in a line, shik shik shik, just to the side of Kazelia's chair. Rita's already airborne away from them, landing on the dresser and using her momentum to throw herself off it at a diagonal before Kyouko can draw a bead on her. Rita flings a puff of incense ash into the air, mixing with the smoke and further obscuring vision Kyouko's way, causing her to throw a long-sleeved arm up in the air to shelter her sensitive little fox nose. Rita pounces, claws out, a thin rope pulled from who knows where in her off hand.

And...there! Right there! Kyouko's arm is up, a little bit of magic pulls at the carpet, bunches it up more than it was, just enough. Enough that when Kyouko goes for her footing to respond it's not completely stable, it shifts a bit. Something anyone could ascribe to a bit of missed footwork while half-blinded. Just enough to let Rita close the distance without a response, to be too fast and knock whatever tool Kyouko was drawing out of her hand before it leaves her sleeve. That's all that's needed for the outcome of this coin toss.

Princess-Champions of Hyperborea

Kazelia's dreams are distant dreams. Dreams from the outside, of the world seen through the haze that's there when you don't have a body. Ourania blazes like a beacon, though one that flickers with Oberon's cold once in a while. That weakness will remain for some time, until time and care from the princesses restore the roots of Argossa and undo the damage that the Riders caused. The new bazaar and labazaar can be seen from the outside in a weird sort of spherical overlay that isn't in the shape of a sphere at all. There is a gap where Devilhome once was beneath it all, unfilled but not empty. Oberon stomps near Argossa and there is a darkness there, Diana just barely visible as a tiny pinprick of light beneath him.

Some shapes come in more clearly. It's almost like her Mother trying to take her first hesitant steps. Trying to feel things out from within Hyperborea instead of outside it. Rita is less hazy, the brush distinct in her hands because the joy in her heart is true and strong. Alina, somewhere, is less hazy because Mother has seen her truth and because she's living her truth right this moment. Adila, despite her sudden lack of consistent corporeality, is somehow more clear than she's ever been and her light shines brightly.

It's a dream like floating, buoyed on water that isn't there, swimming through a hazy world lazily with no need to ever really come up for air, but a new wonder to see around every corner. Some will need more cataloging in the future. Mother does love to catalogue and Kazelia's spirit is content to drift along with her as she tries to arrange her thoughts to connect a thousand little points of light to the singing voices she's heard in Kazelia's heart.

Princess-Champions of Hyperborea

This feels wonderful. It's the nicest Kazelia has felt in...in...can we count years in the great void that's outside of worlds? Was it a thousand years ago when she left her mother's? She did keep telling Ourania that the age competition would be close, but then again how do yo count it? Let's say simply that when she was small in a far away lodge a long time ago, her mother would brush her hair in the evening. She didn't cut it when she was small, she just let it grow out, long, thick and dark back then, full of luster and shine as it pooled around her waist when she knelt at her mother's feet. She'd normally wear it up during the game in a big ponytail or all curled up. But at night she would let it out and her mother would sit and brush through it. Calmly, gently, and evenly, sitting on the bed above her. It was the most wonderful thing in all the world and Kazelia hasn't felt that since she left with her Father. He would never do such a thing, his hands weren't suited for tenderness. And while Asteria or Ninian might offer on occasion, they were rough with the snarls and too quick to be done.

Rita is an expert though. She brushes out Kazelia's white hair and you'd think the Rider were melting into her chair so fully does she relax into the brush strokes. Kazelia hums in a low murmur that might leave it up to doubt which of the two of them is the one purring. Perhaps both.

And then when that's done, the tea is some kind of Askaian chai. hints of cardamom mixed with milk and sweet brown sugar. Kazelia laps it up even though she blushes as she does it because it's so delicious.

Even the scarf feels just right. Azora would have silk of course, and so it's thin and gauzy over her lips when Rita isn't letting her drink, and after she was punished for her little magical show of resistance, she's careful to just drink and not talk while Rita works so it won't be interrupted.

Yes, this could go on forever. That would be fine. Just fine.

Monster Hearts: Sleepshy Rise

After some discussion, we've decided to put this game on hold until Elanorin's feeling better. Structurally it's really hinged off Samael and it won't be the same without him.

Take your time, Elanorin, we'll be waiting for you when life makes more sense :)

@Thanqol

In my headcanon though, Annalee conquered the whole school unopposed in Samael's absence. ;)

Princess-Champions of Hyperborea

Kazelia giggles through her gag when Rita boops her. It tickles, this is a completely reasonable and unavoidable reaction! This whole surround is delightful, and while she gives an appropriate "mmmrrrph" when Rita describes herself as the most innocent princess in all Hyperborea, it's impossible to tell if that's grunting agreement or grunting strenuous disagreement. She does, though, manage to wiggle just enough of a finger that when Rita goes for the obvious cat pun, a loose button flies up and boops her on the chin. Kazelia is perfectly aware she'll pay for that (probably with kitty mittens) but it was worth it for the moment of surprised shock that crossed Rita's face just as she was doing her most triumphant punning. She did hope that Rita would brush her hair while she was fully restrained though. It had been so long since she had the chance to relax and that brush looked absolutely lovely with its silver handle and firm bristles. That would be heavenly.

Princess-Champions of Hyperborea

"You fiends!" Kazelia shouts, trying without success to keep the grin off her face. "Betrayers! I thought my sisters had reformed, but instead you've conspired with the most wanted Askaian in all of Hyperborea!" Kazelia shakes her head in utter disbelief, that being the only part of her left that can do any shaking (perhaps a lower leg, but that would be both pointless and embarrassing). "I suppose now she's going to whisk me off and you're just going to let her, your poor sister, so recently reunited and mrrrrrrrrph!" Kazelia was right in the middle of her kidnapping monologue when Rita threw the scarf over her mouth. The utter, perfectly timed, indignity! Sure, she was enjoying every second of this and Rita had delivered in every way she had hoped when she mentioned this in Eupheria's weird interview show (really, this knot work was excellent, and she probably shouldn't tell either Kyouko or Rita that these were the most comfortable bonds she had been in since she had arrived in Hyperborea. It would set off some kind of cat fox war that would doom them all). Instead, Kazelia settled back into her chair and decided to enjoy herself, though she did keep trying to finish her extremely good speech through the gag, she was sure that after all the practice from Eupheria, they'd be able to make out some of the "mmrrphs and mmmmphs" as the intended exhortation to her sisters to unite behind family and reconsider all of their life choices one more time.

Monster Hearts: Sleepshy Rise

DARKEST SELF
LIAR

"Oh my goodness." Annalee picks up pig-Carmen and turns her around so they can look each other in the eyes. "I think Timmy is jealous that I didn't spend time with him! Did you hear what he said? 'you left me be after Samael made you do a curse. You went with Samael instead of me. You played with a werewolf instead of me.'"

She looks at pig-Carmen and shakes her head sadly, but she's sure her new pig friend understands the need for attention. "Timmy, let's put all this behind us. I did what I could to protect you and I was magically controlled by a vampire for most of a day. We have a friend here to uncurse, and then we should get some rest and start a new fresh tomorrow. Don't you think that's better?"

[Rolling to shut down with the jealous condition. 2+2+3=7. Timothy, lose your last string on Annalee, but you can give her another condition.]

Princess-Champions of Hyperborea

Kazelia sighs. "First, I intend to defeat Father. Utterly, finally and completely. There's no redeeming him, and whatever facade he wears as a man is just a mask for his selfish essence. That is...a grim thing to say, I admit." She nods to Ninian more to Azora, who she suspects understands the nature of these things a bit already. "I also need to manage that without...giving myself up. I've taken the Void into myself, there's every chance that whatever ends up happening with Father, I don't come out of it as a normal person who can just walk around the world and eat spicy sausages with couscous." She sighs again. "And I don't want that. I'll do what I have to do, but I don't want it. I'm not done here. We've all been in Hyperborea only a few years. And I promised Mother when she came to me that I would show her this world. Full of life and joy and kisses! If I'm able, I'm going to stay with my friends, perhaps I'll live in Illumina. I think I ought to travel though. I might give concerts, write some kind of ode to all of this, tell our story to all the kingdoms and write new songs. Maybe Ourania will even invite me to Argossa to perform there. I'd love to have tea with the Sun again.

Kazelia lets herself ramble like this. Maybe Azora and Ninian would see the effect Hyperborea could have on people. The way she thought about grand things and little things all right next to each other. If she could try to nail it down, that was the beauty of this little world. It had cat hugs and good food next to vast serpents and a queen whose soul was fire who lived on a great stone tree that was the very pillar of the world. Vast and beautiful and tiny and personal all wrapped up together. Ah, if only Oberon could see it, could understand that others things had the right to just be as they were outside of him. Then maybe everything could be different.