#Rosie Stardust

[clarktooncrossing]

HEY THERE PEOPLE OF TODAY AND ROBOTS OF TOMORROW! IT IS I, CLARK! HERE WITH A LITTLE DOSE OF WEIRDNESS!

Ah, summer time is here once more. You all know what that means, right? Indeed, it means I'm working on art for Halloween and Christmas! Ha ha! What can I say, I plan on being prepared this year. Santa Clark hates getting caught with his pants down. Luckily that won't be a problem this year, as I've already got six sketches cemented for the Spoopy Season and have began work on two illustrations for the Jolly Season. My determination has been amplified ten fold! Surely nothing could distract me now, right? Enter @burningthrucelluloid to argue otherwise with something he had found on Twitter. A talented artist by the name of @QalcoveArt had drawn a pin-up of Zootopia's Judy Hopps in a two piece bathing suit to celebrate something called National Bikini Day. Keep that furry fuel alive, Internet! I kid of course, really Alec and I were moreso shocked that such a Holiday existed. We laughed at first, then Alec had a thought. He had envisioned his alien wasp princess Exa sporting a two piece herself, posing all pretty like before eating her outfit, much to the objections of her human friend Jackie. Seeing my friend take initiation, I suggested he design the bikini with a honey comb pattern, which is how we ended up with this:

Now THAT, my friends, is comedy! 

It certainly got a great reaction on my Discord server once he posted it there too. Afterwards we started talking about Jackie and Exa's friend Rosie, my own cosmic cutie charged with cataloguing the cosmos, and what she'd look like in a bikini. What the Masked Maniac had yet to realize was that he had issued me a creative challenge. One all too tantalizing to pass up. Thus I spent all of Thursday sketching Rosie in a snazzy two piece suit sporting the whimsigoth style. It had first been introduced to me by @sleepy-teacup and had proven to be a perfect match for my sentient space anomaly when I drew her as a wizard in my last Sketch BOOM. Anybody who wants to see how that turned out can click here! For now, we can marvel at this piece that took hardly any time to complete. My sketch was completed within an hour or two, leaving me with the task of coloring the thing in. However, I was coloring the thing in at two in the morning. I was only halfway done when I saw my clock read 4:00. Two hours had passed?! Darn me and how easily I get distracted! No doubt I would've continued coloring this were it not for Foxhatart telling me to get my insane, spotted butt to bed. Cut to the following Friday when I finally finished up the rest of this picture, giving Rosie her fiery red stars, dotting her bathing suit with golden stars, and giving her a beach ball and sunglasses for added style points. Now she's ready to have a rockin' summer in whatever universe she's currently visiting! All of this for a Holiday I technically missed. Either way, I hope you all enjoy.

Oh! And to those wondering about my Commissions, expect an update on that soon!

MAY THE GLASSES BE WITH YOU!

#clarktoons #clarktooncrossing #cartoons #cute #rosie #Rosie Stardust #multiverse #cosmos #space #national bikini day #bikini #swimsuit #ai sucks #digital art #summer

[kylievershion]

Them once again

#cookie run incorrect quotes #walnut cookie #moonlight cookie #stardust cookie #raspberry mousse cookie #pastel meringue cookie #fire spirit cookie #cookie run comics #rosie don't look #<- censored swearing but still

[pyrabluearts]

Classic Amy finally gets her revenge

#sonic origins plus #sonic origins #amy #amy rose #classic amy #sonic cd #metal sonic #rosy the rascal #classic sonic #classic amy rose #digital art #fan art #stardust speedway #cute #sonic #sonic the hedgehog

[caelum-et-ocean]

Trick or treat!

Hiiii Rosie!!! :D Like I said before, dont have any candy rn (😭) but I hope you’ll accept this!

#calypso’s stardust dump #calypso answers🌙 #rosie🌹

[frenchiefitzhere]

Pumpkin 🎃

Lovebug 🐞

Cutie 💖

(this is starlitangels, btw, but your anon is off so you have to see my main blog's url r.i.p.)

pumpkin - what’s your favourite weather and why?

a summer rainstorm with no scary winds I love sitting out on my porch under the awning watching the giant puddle river form in the driveway

love bug - what song would you love to have sung to you?

oh fuck i'm just realizing the answer to this is weirdly kismet... dfsdfsdfsdfsdf

This is probably the most romantic song ever written (and I've liked it for a very long time...I SWEAR) and it's called "Petite Marie"

Translation (didn't make any effort to maintain rhyme/meter; just going for tone): Petite Marie, I'm talking about you Because with your little voice Your little idiosyncrasies, you've poured A thousand roses into my life

Little menace, I fight for you So that ten thousand years from now We can be together in shelter under a sky as beautiful As a thousand roses

I've come from the sky and the stars were talking Only of you And of a musician whose hands play On a simple piece of wood And of their love bluer than the sky

OKAY tell me that's not a perfect Colm and Marie song now...omg I'm done for! DONE FOR, I TELL YA!!! 😩

cutie - what’s your favourite fairytale?

They're modern ones and I don't know if everyone would call them fairy tales (I mean, *I* do), but... I really love Neil Gaiman's Stardust and Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife.

#brb #gotta go watch stardust and listen to Francis Cabrel in the rain now #petite marie #MARIE #OMG #I can't believe I never made that connection before #and the ROSES!!! #🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 #(and I have Colm call her ROSIE in my fics) #HOLY shirtballz #ask games

[astrxealis]

Aster, hihi <3 how are you? I hope your day is going well! Is there anything coming up that you're looking forward to?

ROSIE LOVEEE hi hi hi <333 i'm doing great ! pretty tired but i'm back home and will play video games real soon >< cookies were great hehe, day is def going well 💖

;O hmmm i wld have said not rlly but then i rmbr that a new update/patch for ffxiv is coming this tuesday and i'm rlly looking forward to that hehe >:)) more content for my ffxiv obsessed ass <3 💞🫶🏼 aside from that hm hm not really !! ✨ hehehe is there anything you're looking forward to yourself? 👁

#⋯ ꒰ა my galaxy ໒꒱ *·˚ #⋯ ꒰ა letters of stardust ໒꒱ *·˚ #— rosie! ♡ #i hope your day is/will be going well too hehehe <33 #oh also !! on tues and thurs i do hard content w a static/grp of other players >< we've done the 4 fights for this tier and we're doing #ultimates now which are some of the hardest fights in game so i'm rlly looking forward to making more prog/progress hehe 🫶🏼

[rosies-musings]

New Fall Out Boy just dropped >:)

#rosie's tunes #fob #fall out boy #so much (for) stardust #love from the other side #IM SO HYPE OH MY GOD #its soooo good #Spotify

[katebishopsbow]

STARDUSTS AND GOLDEN SPECKS • OSCAR PIASTRI

pairing: oscar piastri x reader

summary: when conversations turned into arguments and all you could feel when you looked at oscar was pain and exhaustion, you learned to say goodbye and let go of your first-ever love.

tags: angst, arguments, breaking up

word count: 1.2k

(image is not mine)

─────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───────

When did the warm, fuzzy feeling that blossomed over your chest whenever you thought about Oscar had soundlessly turned bitter? When did your arguments over trivial matters become an almost daily occurrence? When did it happen when you looked into the eyes of your first love – your anchor, your safe haven, your rock – and somehow, it doesn’t feel like home anymore? 

You wondered where it all went wrong.

･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.

The story of you and Oscar was like one out of a teenage romance novel, not exactly the cliche best friends-to-lovers trope, but the one where both the boy and the girl had a crush on each other for years yet were always too shy to say anything. The two of you would steal secret glances at each other in the school hallway and look away bashfully whenever your eyes would meet, cheeks rosy and hearts thumping as if you were deers caught in headlights. 

Oscar was always so stoic and unfazed, but somehow the mere presence of you was enough to make his stomach swarm with butterflies and his head foggy, stealing away the lovestruck boy’s ability to properly think. It was frightening, really – how much he liked you, and so one day he finally plucked up the courage to confess his feelings to you and asked you to be his girlfriend while doing his best to hide his trembling hands and frenzied heart. You leaned forward to trace the stardusts of freckles over his cheeks, admiring the golden specks swimming in his eyes as you nodded your head “yes”, and at that moment Oscar swore he was the happiest boy on Earth.

They say first love was never meant to last, but the two of you – so young and naive and so in love – were certain as ever that the old saying was simply untrue. “I’m gonna marry you someday,” Oscar said to you, gazing into your eyes with an overflowing amount of love and sincerity that you couldn’t help but bury your face into your boyfriend’s chest to hide the biggest smile of your life. “Mr. and Mrs. Piastri,” you whispered hushedly under your breath. The sound of it made your heart swell with joy, and your eyes fluttered close as you thought about what the future held for you two – experiencing the ups and downs of life together, traveling the world together, buying a house and growing old together.

You thought you two were forever, so it caught you by surprise when things were beginning to shift. It happened silently – you wouldn’t be able to notice even if you were paying close attention, and the love between you and Oscar had changed into something entirely different. Perhaps it was because you two had been together for so many years, witnessed each other grow up into the person you had become, and with that not only did you two grow older, but you also grew apart. 

What exactly was the reason behind everything, you couldn’t be sure, but all you knew was that you and Oscar were no longer the same. You could spend days without seeing each other, a normal conversation could so easily turn into a heated argument, and the distance between you two only continued to grow like ivies slithering up the walls of your closed off hearts.

･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.

“Let’s go out for dinner at that Mexican restaurant tomorrow night. A little dinner date, me and you, just like how it used to be when we were in high school,” you suggested as you snuggled into the sides of Oscar – it was your attempt to salvage what was left of your relationship, to try and hopefully make things work. He stayed quiet for a few seconds before parting his lips to answer, “I made plans with Logan and Arthur already… sorry, love.” 

The unfamiliarity of the nickname that once made you swoon had you cringing silently, and you rolled your eyes at your boyfriend’s disappointing yet unsurprising response. “Do you even have time for me anymore, Osc?” you asked him as frustration pierced through your words, and the exasperated sigh he failed to conceal only managed to fuel the irritation simmering within you.

“What are you talking about?” “You never have time for me, Oscar.”

Oscar inhaled a deep breath, rubbing at his temples in pure frustration as if he was already exhausted from having this conversation. “You know that’s not true. Stop making everything such a big deal…” A cold laugh escaped your lips upon hearing his words, although the situation was far from funny. “You and I both know that something is wrong between us, Oscar, and yet I am the only one making an effort to try and fix things.”

You watched as your boyfriend closed his eyes, almost like he was hoping to block out everything around him, to ignore your voice and the ugly truth that fell from your lips – the same voice that he used to say was the best sound in the world. “I don’t want to argue with you anymore, love, please,” he said to you, his voice small and pleading – for what exactly, you weren’t certain. 

All you knew was at that very moment, for the very first time, you couldn’t find it in you to argue with him anymore. You couldn’t find the strength within you to try and make things work, to fight for your broken relationships, to attempt rekindling the love you two had once felt so deeply for each other. You were simply too tired, too worn out from the hardships of your love as you fought to salvage something that was destined to fail.

“Okay then. No more arguing,” you whispered softly as a sigh fell from your lips – not a dejected one, but rather one of relief. Oscar and you fell into silence, neither of you uttering a single word as you both let the gravity of the situation sink in. Nothing you two could say would make this any better or any less painful – it was bound to hurt, and maybe that was the beauty of loving so deeply. 

This was it. The end of it all.

So you leaned forward for one last time – the same way you used to when Oscar confessed his feelings to you – and you brought your hands to his face to trace along the stardusts of freckles that adored his delicate skin. Hidden behind the golden specks of his eyes was love, so much love for you, and pain, exhaustion, frustration, and the agonizing realization that you and Oscar – this inseparable duo for the past years of your lives – had come to an end.

You thought about all the things Oscar had taught you over the years of your relationship. You learned the complexities and depth of your own heart, you learned to be vulnerable with each other even though it frightened you more than anything, and you learned that you were capable of loving someone so much with everything that you had. 

As you looked at Oscar, both of your eyes glassy with tears and cloudy with the cherished memories you once shared, you realized that you were about to learn something new again, and perhaps was the most important lesson of all  – to say goodbye, to let go, and to move on.

#f1 fanfic #f1 imagine #f1 x reader #f1 x you #oscar piastri fanfic #oscar piastri x you #oscar piastri x reader #oscar piastri imagine #oscar piastri #oscar piastri angst #f1 angst

[indigotiefling]

[ID: A stick figure kneels in their room with harsh black scribbles surrounding them. Then the cover art of So Much (for) Stardust by Fall Out Boy enters the room, and the person stands up with rosy cheeks and exclaims "omg fall out boy hi!!!" End ID]

#fall out boy #I feel like i'm 16 again #thanks for the id princess-of-purple-prose

[thyme-in-a-bubble]

a list of some spring movies/series 🌷

spring is here!! and so is your friendly neighbourhood little organisation freak of a goblin to give you a list of some spring movies and series. as always, just close your eyes and point somewhere on this little list, or even put the numbers in a generator and go with whatever the result is ♡

summer | autumn | winter

🐝 ‧₊˚ ⋅ movies ⋅˚₊‧

mary poppins (1964)

the sound of music (1965)

aristocats (1970)

alla vi barn i bullerbyn (1986)

my neighbour totoro (1988)

kiki's delivery service (1989)

a league of their own (1992)

the secret garden (1993)

pride and prejudice (1995/2005)

whisper of the heart (1995)

clueless (1995)

my best friend’s wedding (1997)

parent trap (1998)

10 things i hate about you (1999)

notting hill (1999)

she's all that (1999)

but i’m a cheerleader (1999)

bring it on (2000)

miss congeniality (2000)

spiritied away (2001)

the wedding planner (2001)

legally blonde (2001)

princess diaries (2001 + 2004)

spy kids (2001-2003)

maid in manhatten (2002)

bend it like beckham (2002)

tuck everlasting (2002)

school of rock (2003)

how to lose a guy in 10 days (2003)

something’s gotta give (2003)

13 going on 30 (2004)

finding neverland (2004)

howl’s moving castle (2004)

saving face (2004)

the notebook (2004)

imagine me and you (2005)

nanny mcphee (2005)

penelope (2006)

miss potter (2006)

step up (2006)

she’s the man (2006)

bridge to terabithia (2007)

enchanted (2007)

atonement (2007)

stardust (2007)

ps i love you (2007)

wild child (2008)

made of honour (2008)

ondine (2009)

bride wars (2009)

valentine’s day (2010)

tangled (2010)

leap year (2010)

easy a (2010)

from up on poppy hill (2011)

jane eyre (2011)

crazy, stupid, love (2011)

what to expect when you’re expecting (2012)

remember sunday (2013)

saving mr banks (2013)

about time (2013)

now you see me (2013 + 2016)

love, rosie (2014)

testament of youth (2014)

kingsman (2014-)

paddington (2014 + 2017)

far from the madding crowd (2015)

burnt (2015)

brooklyn (2015)

cinderella (2015)

the man from u.n.c.l.e. (2015)

lady chatterley's lover (2015/2022)

creed franchise (2015-2023)

me before you (2016)

mother’s day (2016)

this beautiful fantastic (2016)

the light between oceans (2016)

paterson (2016)

how to be single (2016)

hidden figures (2016)

gifted (2017)

dunkirk (2017)

ocean’s eight (2018)

life itself (2018)

peter rabbit (2018)

christopher robin (2018)

tomb raider (2018)

set it up (2018)

crazy rich asians (2018)

spider-verse movies (2018-)

1917 (2019)

the art of racing in the rain (2019)

can you keep a secret? (2019)

booksmart (2019)

someone great (2019)

endings, beginnings (2019)

emma (2020)

enola holms (2020-)

the last letter from your lover (2021)

the world to come (2021)

🌼 ‧₊˚ ⋅ series ⋅˚₊‧

little house on the prairie (1974-1983)

moomin valley (1990-1992)

greys anatomy (2005-)

gossip girl (2007-2012)

skins (2007-2013)

the great british bake off (2010-)

new girl (2011-2018)

brooklyn nine-nine (2013-2021)

the fosters (2013-2018)

the 100 (2014-2020)

jane the virgin (2014-2019)

outlander (2014-)

grace and frankie (2015-2022)

poldark (2015-2019)

critical role (2015-)

howards end (2017)

girlboss (2017)

she's gotta have it (2017-2019)

the bold type (2017-2021)

mr. sunshine (2018)

queer eye (2018-)

crash landing into you (2019)

the witcher (2019-)

dickinson (2019-2021)

sex education (2019-2023)

bridgerton (2020-)

ted lasso (2020-2023)

nevertheless (2021)

the falcon and the winter soilder (2021)

flatshare (2022)

#lea speaks #• comfort if you need it • #movies #comfort movies #movie recommendation #studyblr #cottagecore #dark academia #cozycore #cosycore #hygge #naturecore #tv show recommendations #spring #spring aesthetic #spring movies #springcore #cottage core

[clarktooncrossing]

HEY THERE PEOPLE OF TODAY AND ROBOTS OF TOMORROW! IT'S ME, CLARK!

Wow, two new pics in one year? Nobody could've expected this! Unlike that Total Solar Eclipse that happened earlier today. How wild was that? To think, we won't be seeing anything like that for another two decades. Absolutely crazy! Not to mention beautiful. Like hundreds of people I dared to venture outside with a set of paper glasses so I could stare up at the moon blocking the sun. Incredible as the moment was, it sadly didn't photograph well. Hence why I had to borrow this photo from a buddy of Mr-Herp-Derp. Thanks, random photographer who had that special lens made to document moments like this! You've made the Clarktoons' resident cosmic cutie very happy. Yes, of course Rosie Stardust had to stop by our neck of the multiverse to check this out. As always she was delighted to see what wonders the galaxy had to show.

Rosie: OH MY STARDUST! This is absolutely amazing! I mean look at that, the moon is actually blocking the sun! How incredible! Goodness me, isn't it stupendous how things like this can just happen? And so many of you get to share this experience for generations to come! When the next twenty years passes by, you can tell your loved ones how you were there to see the last one. Maybe by then they'll create filters for Terran phones so you can take a proper picture, Clark. Still, thanks for including me in such a special occasion. I hope the rest of you enjoyed it as much as I did!

MAY THE GLASSES BE WITH YOU!

#Rosie Stardust #Einstein Rosen Bridge #space #Eclipse #Eclipse 2024 #Clarktoon Crossing #originalcartoon #say no to ai art #solar eclipse

[violetpixiedust]

thinking about soft!boyfriend steve. who grabs whatever inanimate object is closest to him and sings a silly little song into it whenever you’re sad just to see you break into a smile. who bundles you up in the coziest scarf he owns at the slightest inclination that you’re cold, he keeps it in the trunk of his car for you just in case. steve, who cuts off your self deprecating speech with a head spinning spearmint flavoured kiss because he adores you so incredibly much, and he knows that no words he could ever say would speak louder at that particular moment. steve, who reaches up wordlessly with a veiny hand to grab anything off the top shelf before you can even lean onto your tip toes. steve, who’s crafted from stardust, donning constellations made up of moles and freckles, scattered across his sun kissed complexion for you to trace, kiss, and memorize. steve is the act of selflessly switching ice creams or even sandwiches with you when you end up not liking yours. a rosy flush never fails to adorn his cheeks the day after, when you sweetly drop off coffee and baked goods at family video for him and robin to share as a thank you. steve is the colour of sunshine. paisley, warm and illuminating. steve is the epitome of lovesick when you laugh a bit too loud, knowing that you learned to shed your fear of doing so after you told him an ex of yours loathed it. he would give anything to hear you laugh like that every time. steve is the type of boyfriend who twirls you with his arms wrapped tightly around your waistline after spending fifteen minutes apart from you. who goes helplessly weak in the knees when you kiss him, because every time feels like the first time with you. who fiddles with the hem of your clothing, a lock of your hair, your dainty jewellery, anything to be closer to you while you speak to him. who reads with you from behind your shoulder, and quietly kisses the crook of your neck to let you know that you can turn the page. who promptly kneels onto the floor in front of you no matter where you are before fixing your shoelace or heel strap when he notices it’s come undone, much to your appreciative embarrassment. who lifts you up onto the nearest surface before he protectively bandages your wounds no matter how small, even if it was just a little scrape from when you clumsily banged into one of the cupboards, placing a tender kiss to the area after he ensures the edges of the plaster are smooth, wiping away your tears if any. steve, who feels the garden of his chest bloom with fresh wildflowers every time you say you love him, because he knows that you mean it, he can feel it, also because you’re so endearingly bad at telling even the whitest of lies. he drifts off to sleep whenever you play with his silky hair at the end of a long day, your manicured fingers gently scratching his scalp as he leans into the safety of being taken care of. steve is sticky lipgloss coated kisses on the cheek, intertwined fingers, dusky almond toned eyes brimmed with infatuation, fresh linen scented lullabies, bottled springtime, bouquets of your favourite flowers at any hour, stray flowers picked by you innocently placed behind his ears or braided through his hair. unbeknownst to the both of you, you’ve each started your own flower pressing journals, preserving every single petal that you’ve ever received from the other. steve is confidently mispronounced words that have you rolling in giggles and falling for him impossibly harder. he’s rose water scented love letters, time capsule polaroids of you in every nook of his burgundy bmw despite max saying that it looks like a shrine, slow dancing tipsily as dinner cooks on the stove, teary eyes at animal shelter commercials between bubblegum dramas, stolen kisses in broad daylight, absentmindedly humming along to the radio on the drive to lovers lake, fleeting confessions in the purple dawn. finally, steve is the schoolgirl type of love that has you twirling and daydreaming airily before opening your window for him when he sneaks into your childhood bedroom. lovestruck forever.

*soft!boyfriend stevie owns my ♡*

#steve harrington i- ​♡ #pixie’s works * ੈ✩‧₊˚ #steve harrington brainrot #steve harrington headcanon #steve harrington x you #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x reader fluff #soft!boyfriend steve harrington #stranger things fanfiction #stranger things #stranger things fluff #steve harrington

[morningstarwrites]

THAT LAST CHAPTER WAS *CHEFS KISS*

Mah brain is meltin', and it's cuz of you

YOU ARE AMAZING, STAR!! I'm so exited, I'm going to read it over again again, hgftdbsjmelndusbfjbekdn

OSAS IS THE REASON FRIDAYS ARE MY FAVORITE DAY. I BEGGED FOR SOMEONE'S HOTSPOT JUST SO I COULD READ THIS.

HA NOT ANGEL GETTING ROSIE'S NUMBER SO THEY CAN GOSS

Oh MY GOD. ANGEL JUST HAS TO THROW OUT THAT SPICY COMMENT. "Good with their mouths" I MEAN- HOW COULDN'T HE BE? Lucifer himself was married to the first ever dommie mommy for centuries, he has to have lots of practice...

-one of your biggest stardust specks

STARDUST SPECK! so so cute. Thank you so much!! I just love hearing that you look forward to Fridays bc of my little fic.

Now Angel and Rosie will dish!

#spoilers #ao3 fanfic #radioapple #ask

[milky-aeons]

𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑

a/n: here we are with part two!! i hope you guys enjoy. ofc, if you'd like to be tagged or removed from the taglist do shoot me a message/comment! just to preface, i don't condone any incestuous relationships, any comments naomi makes of her brother will never be explicit and i only wish to stay true to her canon character!

warnings: naomi typical mentions, misogyny, mentions of death, swearing, mentions of rape, mentions of violence against women, themes of depression, mentions of suicide, mdni, w.c 6.7k

౨ৎ . . . chapter TWO of CROWNS OF STARDUST

𝙼𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚖𝚙𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚒𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚖𝚎. — Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍'𝐓 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐄𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐑𝐄𝐃. But what you did know, was that after the anger towards a particular Registrar, or more so; Secretary to The Throne, subsided, you were no longer standing alone. Around now were a group of ladies — similar in age to you and unwedded. However unlike you, their faces were stretched into broad smiles. Cheeks tinted pink, each of them were bouncing up and down on the spot with glee.

You repressed the agitated sigh, they must also be worthy candidates for the Castle.

Truly an honour, you thought dryly, why is it that they look so excited? Besides the promised wage, why would they wish to serve the family causing their poverty? You just couldn't wrap your head around it. Although, looked at objectively, morals and feelings were probably swept under the metaphorical rug when an income was promised. Especially an income from Royalty, when in the village money was hard to come by. 

You thought the women shallow. But then again, [Name] Willows never was one to think like a normal commoner. Opinions that spoke higher than your status usually got you in trouble — perhaps, it was you that had been in the wrong this whole time.

Although, there was one woman that caught your eye. 

She wasn't smiling like the rest of them, nor was she rosy-cheeked and foolishly giddy. This girl was standing still in a daze with her eyes trained to the distance. If it wasn't for her slack expression, a frown would have surely tugged at her lips. The grey in her eyes spoke of such unbidden sadness.

Perhaps there was a woman with a brain here, you thought, manoeuvring over to the girl quietly so as not to startle her, could she feel just like I? Devastated that she was forced into a life of a servant by the man in her house, too?

When close enough did you place a careful hand on the girl's shoulder. Immediately, she jumped. 

"Ah—I didn't mean to startle you," You apologised quickly when her grey eyes darted to you; wide and afraid. They instantly relaxed when she realised you were just another common girl and not a Royal Guard ready to shake her from daydreaming. "You just looked troubled." You finished, retracting your hand slowly.

The woman blinked once, twice. It was with a ragged intake of air that her daze was shattered and she completely broke down. If broke down was characterised by her clasping her hands to her heart and bowing her head.

"Oh—Oh it's terrible!" She cried, straight ebony tresses and bangs hiding how her eyes screwed shut. "Terrible, so terrible!"

Suddenly, you felt a small connection spark to life between you and the smaller woman. Because yes, it was terrible, and apparently only you and this lady knew it.

"It is. A terrible thing has happened to us," You whispered, bending so that the other women couldn't hear. "First our taxes, then our livelihoods, and now the Royals wish to take us. We seem to be the only ones that can see that."

The despairing girl suddenly snapped her head up. In her grey eyes there glittered tears and something hopeful. She reached up to hold your shoulders softly. "It happened to you, too?" It was an awed hush. "Were you sent away from your beloved brother too?"

And just like that, the connection faltered.

"Pardon?"

"You were, weren't you?" The lady came to the conclusion herself. With a whine did she straighten and look up longingly to the sky. "When our Father heard the news, I was ushered out of our bakery home with no opinion of my own. Away from my beloved brother! I can barely stand it, how will I last a week? A month? I fear I'll go insane from being apart from him for so long!" 

You stood and stared at the lady with eyebrows raised, absolutely taken aback. And a little offended, but only at yourself for believing — even for a moment — that another woman felt like you did. But instead, your fear was affirmed that all around you stood absolute prattling lunatics.

And you were expected to work with them for an entire month. 

"—eyes just like mine and wild red hair." The girl was still ranting on. With a dreamy sigh that made you very uncomfortable, did she turn back with a swoosh of her skirts. "What is your brother like, then? Did he despair upon your departure?"

Still busy coming to terms with the fact that maybe you would go insane before the first break was up, you didn't answer the woman right away. "I... I don't have one." You said then, a little unsure. "I'm a single child."

Her grey eyes slanted when she frowned. "Oh? But you must do. You appear to carry the same sadness as me."

"Yes, probably because I wish to be anywhere else but here."

"... I see," The girl's tone sounded slightly more crestfallen, but didn't turn cold. Instead her own face lit up with a friendly smile. "Then, we have that in common." She took both of your hands up in her smaller ones. "My name is Naomi." 

Naomi, you placed the name to the face. A delicate one with pale skin and long, jet hair. And also; the strange woman that spoke of her brother a little too fondly. That wasn't something you wished to dwell on too much — for you lived in a village with strange women sometimes, after all. But you could appreciate the needless warmth she was showing.

"[Name]," You greeted back, smiling softly. "From the Willows family."

At the sound of your surname, recognition, followed by a shadow of pity flickered across Naomi's face. The village of the Yo Kingdom was small and almost everybody could pinpoint each other by face. News, especially news of tragedy spread like wildfire through every home. It was no big surprise that attached to the Willow name was a reminder of the death your parents faced. Ravaged by such a deadly disease no one knew the cause, nor the name of.

"I offer my condolences." Naomi whispered; polite etiquette for those of the dead. You always hated pity, but in this moment, knew the girl was merely expressing manners.

"They're received by grateful ears." You assured her with a small head nod. Eager to veer the conversation away from your late parents, you passed the question back to her. "And, what is your family name, Naomi?"

"Oh!" The girl gushed. "Tanizaki. A small family of four we are."

Naomi Tanizaki. You knew the Tanizakis; they were kind folk who owned a bakery deep in the village square. Now that you thought back, this girl with the straight black tresses reminded you of the older lady who ran said bakery when you dropped by a handful of times. Grandfather tended to enjoy their lemon bread when it was available, which was seldom in these taxing times. With her grey eyes and bubbling personality — Naomi was a stark, close copy of her Mother. Although you had never bumped into the brother of the Tanizaki household.

"A family of bakers." You smiled at her. It was easier to smile now when thoughts of home filled your mind. "My Grandfather is fond of your lemon breads."

"And my Mother always makes him extra when his order comes through! She knows he does."

"Is it you who bakes, also?"

And off you both went down a road of conversation that zoned everything else that was happening out, at least for a little while. You were apprehensive to talk to Naomi, thinking she was just another airheaded woman who spoke only of men and manners. Turns out; Naomi of the Tanizaki household spoke at lengths of things that a girl her type wouldn't usually know; like currency, horses and market affairs. You found your shoulders losing a little tension when talking to the lady just a year under your age. It made you feel that perhaps, if you could bunk with Naomi, then maybe you could last a month. 

That maybe — you would not be driven to complete madness.

It sounded like the girl had at least her head screwed on properly. For the exception of the few that were loose when she spoke at lengths about her sibling.

"Tell me, [Name]," She spoke as they began to walk towards the main Kingdom Square. You flitted narrowed eyes from the Royal Knight's burly shoulders to her. "Why is it that you don't want to work as a servant?"

Clearly not because of a fantastical brother, you hid a smile under a sigh. Then, flickered your attention to the huge Castle Walls that were visible even from this far away. It was like a prison, a paradise kept locked and secure from the dying outside population. Your stomach threatened to roil in disgust.

"I am not overly fond of the Royal Family." You whispered.

Naomi gasped. "Why? The Osamu Household does everything in their power to keep us safe. And—And King Dietrich! He is so generous with the poor." She spoke just like all the other commoners in the Yo Kingdom who idolised the monarchs above everything else. And you couldn't blame her. On the outside, the King was a marvellous leader. He built defences higher then everyone, put money into healthcare cabins, allowed poorly children to go to volunteer schooling. 

Truly a picture-perfect Kingdom with the most beloved King. But you saw differently. Perfection was a perception that never really sat right with you, after all.

You could bet that the Castle's walls were caked in rotten, shameless lies. And it would be those walls you would be scrubbing every single day. Forced to make spotless something that is forever stained.

"[Name]?" Naomi sounded frantic.

"It is a personal dislike," You finally answered. For a matter of propriety, you couldn't unload such uncanny thoughts onto the younger girl. She knew that her soft nature wouldn't be able to bear it. Bad-mouthing the Royals when everyone adored them was akin to social suicide. "A complex, personal dislike. You need not worry."

"Oh. That's it, then? I see." She sighed. A personal, complex dislike could very well be taken as a 'you shouldn't get mixed up in my troubled affairs', and innocent Naomi was very thankful for it. Although, you were learning quickly, that this curious girl was also naturally nosy. "Does this dislike extend to the First Prince, too?"

The First Prince.

You had never seen the current heir to the Kingdom's Throne. All you had to go off of was the rumours that one heard float through the town. About King Dietrich, there were little. But the ones of the Prince—

A shiver skated down your spine. You hated that mere words from drunkards late at night had such a reign on you, hated that any man could make you feel actual fear. But the voices those drunkards spoke in; the pure, unhidden terror in their words—

"A scabbard, I tell ya. Right through the heart."

"Ha! You're away with the Fairies, lad. You won't scare me."

"You'd be right to be scared! That Prince has a soul of black. If he can execute one of his maids who raised 'im, what'll he do to us commoners? We're nothin' but cattle!"

"He's a Demon." Another shaky voice late one misty night. She spoke quickly, like the houses had ears. "The Devil incarnate. He's the face of a fox. But let me tell you, the way he treats those under him—"

"How dare you speak so easily of the Prince! He must not be lenient. He is due to run a Kingdom!"

"And you'd be foolish to think he is merely being firm," The older lady reprimanded the dreamy younger. "One can't run a Kingdom when their soul is pure black. The Guards have seen it; the twinkle of pleasure in his eyes when he watches men grovel. No man will ever be my King. Such a man is fitting of the title 'Demon Prince'."

"... Demon Prince."

"P-Pardon?" Naomi's startled voice.

You blinked rapidly out of your thoughts, then brought a hand up to your mouth. You must learn to not be so easily distracted, you inwardly berated. What would happen if a Guard hears such a slur from your lips? You may have a deep hatred for these pompous people, but also had a Grandfather to return to after a month is up.

"Forgive me," You said to Naomi. "Forget I said anything."

Naomi kept walking with her eyes watching you for a few seconds. She turned forward with heavier lids, keeping her silence for a little while longer.

"I've heard that title before." She said, affirming any suspicion that she had actually heard you. But she wasn't offended, appalled, or going in search of a Knight to reprimand your ideals. Instead — this woman proved herself to be different than the rest after all when she sighed and leaned to whisper in your ear;

"You'd be wise not to use it in the Court. I've come to believe we can be good friends," Her tone softened with worry. "I'd hate to see you succumb to an unfortunate fate."

You were the older of you both and yet, Naomi was more than correct. Your habit — it would be the death of you in this Castle. The literality of that was something you were unwilling to test. But just before you ducked under the draw-bridge and entered into the Castle Grounds, you had to ask;

"Do you believe it?"

Naomi didn't need to be told what you were asking. Do you believe our future monarch truly is a demon? What the woman did do was give you a very heavy look. If you could study it long enough, you'd catch the intelligence in her eyes. The unknowing perception this sometimes dreamy, bubbly girl carried with her. She had heard the rumours, too. She also felt the shivers play a jig up her spine when the First Prince was brought up in conversation.

"We are servant women now, [Name]." The drawbridge was drawn up. "Our opinions are our own to keep. Serving the King and Prince is our top duty now," Her voice hushed so low that you ducked to hear it. Against the sounds of rusted chains drawing, of men's shouts and women's excited squeals, Naomi gave her opinion of the Prince in three mere words; "Demons or not."

"So," One menacing syllable echoed through the Throne Room. In the Kingdom of Yo — their preferred colours against the walls were white and blue. This Kingdom thought those colours sickeningly pure, fake to the highest degree. Along the walls of this Throne Room was blacks and reds. 

The Kingdom of Ko were honest in their shady business deals. To them, a Kingdom such as Yo who hid their affairs underneath false smiles and innocence. The two Provinces were bound to butt heads every time they could. 

Smooth and sharp like a honed blade — that was the voice of the man who rounded the table. The King of Ko, always sharp and deadly in his nature. "The Spy-man has not returned to us. We shall assume he has been killed, then?"

The man he was addressing, and the only one in this huge room, was the Captain of his Cavalry. With his bright red curls kept in check under a foreign looking hat, eyes of sharp sky-blue and nerves of absolute steel — he was truly, a fitted man for the title Captain. Because if he wasn't, then he wouldn't be able to withstand the cold anger of the Ko King while standing with his gloved hands clasped at his back.

"Probable, my King." He replied. The Captain had a voice of gravel — sometimes, when angry, resembling a growl. It was a stark contrast to the venomous tone of the King who coated his words in sugary honey when he sang;

"Well, it can't be helped. It was never obvious that the Yoliens would be easy to break." Between impeccable gloved fingers, the King picked up a small letter-opener. It was embellished in golden filigree and dainty black diamonds. The Captain knew his King better — he knew he'd prefer the dangerous dagger to be coated in a fine layer of blood, instead. White-clothed fingers tightened around the blade. "If only the Prince stayed on our side. His co-operation would have tipped the scale in our favour."

The Captain had to forcefully ground his teeth at the bare mention of that Prince. The curly-haired, brown-eyed bother he'd much rather see dead than ever again. "You believe we need him to conquer territory, my King?"

"Careful, Chuuya~ You may be my best Captain, but I'm exceptionally displeased and also holding a dagger."

Captain Chuuya of the Ko Knights closed his eyes briefly and collected himself. There was a special way his image could dig under his skin and make him forget himself. "Forgive me," He said seriously to the older man. "I meant to disrespect."

Sleek, bone-chilling laughter. "I know, and I was not serious in my threat." The King sauntered over to his round table once more and placed the letter-opener back in its spot. The jewelled handle caught the light and bounced off his face, through his long dark hair that he pushed off his face. "There is no denying his mind is wicked. We'd rule over Yo and Ko if he was still co-operating with our Informants."

Even though every cell in his body rebelled, Chuuya couldn't deny that his King was correct. And not because he felt like giving the Prince of Yo some credit, but because his mind was a thing so other to humans. It was a hard-cut fact that, if he wished to, that man could burn an entire Kingdom down until it was mere embers and cries of ghosts. He was just that type of monster.

"Do you wish to coax him back?" Was all the Captain offered his King, hoping to the Gods it was negative. He received another laugh.

"I've already offered. He declined."

The words "arrogant bastard" almost slipped from Chuuya's mouth, but he remembered to whom he kept company. "Does he mean to insult you?" Was how he worded it softer.

"If the Prince meant to insult me," The King said in a lazy tone untypical to those who stood in the highest position of a Royal Court. He couldn't be faulted for it — for this man with the long black hair and eyes of pure magenta didn't have a speck of Royal blood in him. "He'd do it in a much grander way. He's genuinely serious." A cold smile split his lips. "Do you believe we bored him?"

"What I believe matters not." Chuuya hated using Court-language, but without it, his head would have rolled long ago. The King pouted at his unamusing answer. 

"My, my. Talk of the Prince really does turn you into a proper Court Official. Now, isn't that fun?" The King jested. "Maybe I should speak his name more often. It would definitely lessen your temper somewhat."

"If you'd be so kind," Chuuya's whole body was physically rebelling at the thought. It wouldn't just dampen his spirts, it'd transport him into his worst nightmare if he had to listen to talk of the brown-eyed bother every single day. He was unsure if he wouldn't kill a man purely out of agitation, either. "Please refrain, my King."

"Only if you buy my Elise another dress after you finish with recruits today~"

Captain Chuuya didn't sigh at the thought of entering yet another seamstress shop this week to purchase yet another dress for the current Princess of Ko. Spoiled, respected and sometimes feared with that wild childish temper, Princess Elise was everything a Royal but in blood. Just like her King.

No one in the Kingdom dared question the passing of the late King. It was a peaceful death, the Doctor tending to him assured. He had been enraptured with mania and yearned for peace in the clutches of God. But before he passed, he named his Doctor as his successor and that no one else could fulfil the role just like he could. That Doctor was General Practioneer of Ko; Mori Ougai. Who now held the sceptre of royals and commanded every aspect of the Ko Kingdom with a bloodied fist that entrenched the Palace in shadows.

And the people of Ko would have it absolutely no other way.

"Ah, and a strawberry cake too!" King Mori Ougai exclaimed in that very un-Kingly way once more. Captain Chuuya knew better than to be fooled; his respected King earned his trust and allegiance in ways that didn't involve cakes and dresses. His childish manner was warranted at times. "She'll have my head if she doesn't get one."

"A way to be executed, I'm sure." Chuuya mused. His King appreciated the joke and chuckled, although the humour quickly drained from the air when his chuckling quietened.

"Chuuya?"

"Yes, my King?"

Magenta eyes that refracted no light, no matter what chandelier hung from the ceiling or how strong the moonbeams were, slid to him. Captain Chuuya tightened his hands behind his back and felt his spine snap taut, although he never once faltered. Because this stare was weighted — an expectant, almost dangerous message in the King's eyes directed at his subordinate.

"Ready another Spy-man. Or perhaps, a Spy-woman." The King said. "I hear the Yo Palace is training new servant women. She'd blend right in. What do you reckon, Chuuya?"

Chuuya saw the cold-cut logic in his King's words. A woman would be much easier to manoeuvre into the Yo Palace, but also — would be a lot more defenceless and in danger. Servants were often mistreated, sexually by drunk Guards and physically by stronger, older women when they messed their jobs up. 

Chuuya has been subjected to sights as such, which lead to two dead Guards through his red vision and his Cavalry being drilled on what would happen to them if they even thought of raping another maid. Such behaviour from a man was disgusting in the Captains eyes, although he wouldn't be there in the Yo Palace where such acts were covered up by their sickly lavish walls and false smiles.

He had just the woman capable of the task.

"I'll see that it is done."

"I have a funny feeling I know what woman you will send~" The King sang. "Are you sure? With her blonde hair and large eyes, she'd be a target for many Guards."

The corners of Chuuya's lips twitched into a smile. No member of the Ko Court will ever be defenceless before a man. Even the maids. He made sure of that a very long time ago.

"And if she is," He assured his King. "I imagine that Guard will not be able to bear children ever again."

Two pairs of eyes contested with one another's. Powerful, sharp greys clashed with ones of deep [e/c]. A man and woman; the male leaps and bounds taller and towering over her — but it mattered not. The lady would back down for no one. Not even Naomi frantically tugging at her gown with rushed apologies to the male and curt, cross words for her. Nor the sudden back-up of women due to the stare-off occurring in the doors leading to the servants chambers.

"Miss [Name]," Kunikida Doppo greeted, the male with the grey eyes. "What are you doing?"

You didn't move an inch. The cool whisper of his tone sent every hair on your skin stiff, but you had half a mind to care. "Why, I'm standing here, My Lord."

"Pray tell, why you are doing such?"

"Hm, who knows? Contemplating the good God's creations? Thinking of the best ways to waste time? The list in endless, really. And non-disclosable."

Kunikida's jaw locked with a twitch in his cheek. His annoyance made a large, vulpine grin stretch across your face.

"I do hope I'm not hindering you, Lord Secretary to The Throne. Or God forbid, wasting your precious time." You whispered in a saccharine-sweet voice.

Naomi, who had no idea why you had suddenly broken your promise to keep tight-lipped in the Castle for the sake of your life when the tall blond strode out to greet them formally, offered The Secretary of the Castle another apology. Another harsh tug, yet again a plea for you to behave, like you were some abhorrent dog. What was she doing? The girl wanted to shake you, trying to get herself whipped? Thrown out to the wolves? This was The Secretary! The Secretary to the Yo Throne!

"[Name]," She attempted without success to push you aside. Alas, like everything else, you refused to break eye-contact with him. "[Name]—I beg of you."

 "My Lord?" The voice of a tall, lanky Royal Guard appeared to the right. Obviously, he had been attracted by the sudden, unprecedented back-up of maids in the hallway. Not only was it chaotic, but a sore waste of time. And if there was one thing Secretary Kunikida Doppo did not tolerate, it was wasted time. "My Lord, does there seem to be a problem?"

Naomi's tugging stopped suddenly, all colour draining from her face in fright. Like a startled sea of sheep, the women stumbled back to allow the flank of Guards to reach their Lord in trouble. Only that he wasn't in trouble, but dealing with a very stubborn lady he was beginning to regret bringing into the Palace Walls. The tapping in his foot gave that fact away very quickly.

Surely, you wouldn't escape a serious beating this time. You were directly — and very publicly — shaming a Royal Official yards above your social status. Steeling your spine, you forced yourself to remain strong and accept the fate that would meet you. Hell if you were going to be pushed around in this place. You'd better take a beating if it meant you could give these large-headed Officials a piece of your 'puny commoner mind'.

Secretary Kunikida Doppo, however, was playing Court Games a lot longer than you. Although he had never dealt with a woman this chaotic, his skills at reading people were honed exquisitely from dealing with years of messengers from the other two Provinces. He regarded the Guards calmly, the annoyance now buried under his demeanour.

"There is none. This maid is just particularly excited to begin work that she froze on the spot." Greys slid to you. "Correct, Miss [Name]?"

You were about to open your mouth and tell him to shove his words where it hurt the most. This man was a right fool to believe you would accept continually being placed in his debt by warding off Guards that could beat you senseless for rude behaviour. You knew, just had a gut feeling he was doing it purposely. But Naomi was quicker, jumping in front of you with a whoosh of black hair and frantic words;

"Yes! Yes, she just won't stop speaking of her excitement. All the way here, she prattled on about the gorgeous halls and paintings!" You looked appalled, but Naomi's iron-grip on your arm told you to keep quiet lest you wanted nail-imprints for the remainder of your days. "Please, forgive her M-My Lord! She is not herself with all this excitement!"

Kunikida warded Naomi's head incline off. "It matters not. Fifty-six seconds have been wasted already, let us not waste anymore," He turned sharply on his heel. "Come, you'll soon meet your Head Maid. Do keep your friend in check around her, she is no less lenient than the King himself."

Naomi was dragging you along. "Y-Yes, My Lord!"

The Servants Quarters were soon flooded with excited women who buzzed and chattered, forming small cliques when Kunikida exited the room in search of whoever the Head Maid was. You were too busy cursing the man out in your head to feel Naomi dragging you behind a huge vase of palm leaves, only being shaken when you received a hard thwack on the head.

Your eyes snapped wide. "Ow!"

"You deserve it!" Naomi was so annoyed that her cheeks were a bright crimson against her papery skin. Her teeth bared in a venomous hiss. "Are you actively attempting to get yourself killed?"

"I'm starting to believe that it would be better than this hellish place—"

"[Name]!"

"Oh—he started it!" You spat back at the girl. "Placing me through to the job just to spite me. He listed every reason why I would fail here, and proceeded to give me a place just because I insulted them!"

"Insulted who?" Naomi asked carefully.

"The Palace."

"Oh, [Name]." She slapped a hand to her eyes. Repressing her wail, she asked, "What did you say?"

For some reason, the way Naomi was scolding made you feel a tad embarrassed. At your adult age, you did not enjoy being talked to like a disobedient child. 

"I said," You began, folding your arms hard across your chest defensively. "That a servant should have a backbone if they would work in the Castle of Thieves."

Naomi took her hand away from her eyes and stared at you. Gobsmacked, her mouth gawping and lashes fluttering in rapid blinks. "You spoke those words?" She asked, head whipping around so no Guards were in earshot. Red pooled around her neck in mortification when she returned back. "You said such a thing to The Secretary of Yo? Who is the person who deals with taxation?!"

"A complex, personal distaste." You countered.

It was three steps and Naomi took your face in her warm hands.

"[Name]—[Name], listen to me. You must! I fear I may only say this once," Grey eyes hard, eyebrows stitched and throat constricting, Naomi threw everything she had into these few words. "I have no idea where this hate in your heart comes from for the Royals, but it is a dangerous thing. A miracle smiled upon you that Sir Secretary did not wish for your beating today. A baffling miracle! But Court Officials are not lenient, [Name]! You'll be a bloody mess by the months end!"

Your blue eyes flickered left. "Better a bloody mess than a spineless, brain-dead common-woman with no opinions—"

"Do you wish to return to your Grandfather with blooded scars?"

At that, you stiffened. Naomi knew she had tapped into the nerve she needed to in order to keep this opinionated, loose-canon of a woman safe in the Royal Court.

"See? He'd be appalled," She pushed. You refused to look back at her, but by the brackets around your mouth, Naomi knew this was what she must say. "An old man of his years couldn't take it. You know that. My dear brother would do despicably unspeakable things if I was beat — no doubt he'd feel guilt in his heart. So please—for your Grandfather, keep it inside. It's difficult not to allow hatred to consume you, I can only imagine, but for the sake of him, you must withstand. You must survive!"

You felt a war rage on inside your heart. Mixed with the hatred, there was this unrestrained frustration banging against your ribcage. It cried out, made your skin stretch too taut, hating everything about societal status and how women like you needed to survive rather than live in the first place.

Grandfather...

You took a deep rattling breath, and collected what you could. Attempted to listen to Naomi because the girl was, yet again, very correct. Sure, she would take a beating — but would Grandfather forgive himself if your skin was maimed with scars?

"[Name]?"

Naomi watched as the taller woman reached up to her hands, took them in her own, and slapped them against her face. Once, twice.

"[N-Name]!" Naomi cried again, suddenly terrified that the lady really had chosen to snap. But after a moment, she pulled away. With red marks against her cheeks, you sighed and opened your eyes.

"Forgive me once more, Naomi." You said with a tight voice. A rush of breathy laughter followed. "I fear all I'm dong is asking for forgiveness today."

"I matters not..." Naomi assured quietly. Her cheeks puffed when she said, "Ask for forgiveness all you like, but I won't hesitate to reprimand you if it means you won't needlessly throw your life in the balance."

You continued to chuckle dryly, looking away. Over your eyes swept to the crowd of women waiting anxiously to work. What world was this that you lived in, where throwing your life in the balance could be because you merely stood up for yourself and spoke your mind?

Suddenly, the women hushed around them when commotion occurred outside. It was Kunikida's voice, conversing swiftly with a stern woman who sounded like she tolerated nothing but perfection. Naomi gasped, next taking you by the hand and hurrying into place. Such a voice could only belong to one that lead all Maids in the Royal Palace; the Head Maid, and she would not like to know what occurred if the Head Maid found you out of place on day one.

Although, as you found a place on the floor and copied everyone's folded hands in front of them, you would not unstick from the question in your mind. How you pondered on the fairness of it all. How you wished, in that moment, to be nothing but a burning star. To ignite in a gorgeous show of colours and show everyone in the palace just how beautiful each of us were if one took the time to look hard enough.

No. 6, Freedom Rice House, 

Port Side,

The Kingdom of Ko.

4th Jan, 1831

Odasaku,

     I'm writing to you yet again with the thought that the walls are continuing to drain of colour. If we were sharing a drink in that curious Rice House of yours, years into the past, you'd surprise me with an equally curious remark to my thinking. How long has it been? I'm beginning to forget the taste of Commoner rice-milk, or pigs-trotters, or even ginger-beer. I'd be brandished with more funny labels, if my people discovered I have a taste for Common Ko Food. Perhaps it could start a war? How amusing that would be.

     Do you still play Father for those children in the Rice House? I could wager my neck that you do, although I can't fathom the reason why. After all, I have never truly had a Father, but a King. Parenting is taxing, yet you do it willingly. An interesting man indeed you continue to prove yourself to be.

     I look forward to the day we may drink again. I fear it won't be soon. In my meantime, I have been enthralled with the idea of attempting the most unreligious of deeds. If you are familiar with Grimm's Fairy Tales by Brother's Grimm, you will also be familiar with the story of Snow White. Do you believe it beautiful, how she died? Its widely accepted that she was murdered. I prefer to think she wished to bite the apple and fall into a peaceful slumber instead.

     Apple Suicide. An enrapturing idea. But surely, they wouldn't dare but such words into a children's book.

     I truly wish this letter reaches you in good health. Your curious mind is one of the only amusing things in these Kingdoms that paints the walls with colour. Never let that talent of yours fade. My good fortune to the children and their carer.

     You have my fondness,

     Osamu Dazai.

     First Prince, The Kingdom of Yo.

"These are the women I'm working with, hmm?"

As a matter of principle, you thought it wise not to have any expectations of the Royal Officials. Although, you couldn't help but give into stereotypes and believe the Head Maid to be an old, stern lady with fierce eyes and a tolerance for nothing short of perfection. 

But the woman Secretary Kunikida brought with him was nothing like the image you had in her head. Anyone had. Her face was not lined with wrinkles, but smooth and youthful. She had eyes of bright fuchsia instead of watery with age, shadowed by the thickest of lashes that echoed her shoulder-length hair. Her lips parted to yawn, followed by, "Not the strongest looking bunch, are they?"

"Perhaps by outward image." Kunikida stated, next sliding his eyes right onto you. You glared right back at him although kept any thoughts to yourself. "Although I assure you, Miss Yosano, that there are interesting candidates under your care."

Yosano — the Head Maid, flicked her hair quickly behind her shoulder. Keeping the violet strands out of her face by a lusturous golden butterfly brooch that spoke of her standing in the Court. Her smile was beautiful, worn by a woman who was probably feared by men and women alike. "I don't doubt your skills as secretary, Kunikida. Although, will you allow me to medically examine you if it turns out you're wrong? You've missed yet again your scheduled checking."

Kunikida didn't answer her. Instead, he directed his attention purposely to the outstanding women in the room. "Meet your Head Maid; Miss Yosano Akiko. She is both the General Practioneer of The Palace and an overseer of recruits. You may look to her if you have any problems, medical or of Palace Affairs. I will be overseeing your wages each month, which will be based off of Miss Yosano's reports of you and any other Palace Official's words of your work." Stoic and with squared shoulder, Kunikida gave a sharp incline of his head before turning on his feet and making his way back from which he came. "Do enjoy your stay at the Palace of Yo."

You kept your eyes on him as he left, watching as his broad shoulders didn't once falter. Not only was he a right thorn in your side, but he was also a direct opposite of yourself. Stiff, cold and a Royal Official — you knew your rivalry would not die down by merely keeping your mouth shut. Yet you could try your best to stay out of trouble. For both Grandfather and new found friend Naomi, you could keep your talons in for now.

"Right!" Yosano's voice, powerful and jolting. She clapped her hands hidden in black gloves together. "I assume none of you have had a medical examination before?"

A quiet, somewhat apprehensive chorus of negatives hushed around the room. It caused Yosano to frown.

"What is this? Have you all decided to have faulty vocal chords?"

A little louder, the litany of negatives repeated.     

Yosano still wasn't impressed. She made a short huffing sound, folding her arms tightly.

"Oh dear, it looks like I may get to examine Kunikida after all. Mice would have more of a presence than you lot."

You gnashed your teeth at the back, jaw locking in place. It was evident that the moment Yosano had put them down, Naomi looked frantically back at her friend with pleasing eyes. She relaxed, however, when she saw you were being true to your promise and breathed deeply through your nose. 

Survive, Naomi whispered in your head, survive, [Name]. That is all you must do.

"I suppose it is time for your first lesson, then." The Head Maid mumbled, albeit quiet enough for every woman to hear. Her eyelashes lowered into a quiet blink. When they opened, there was a change to her demeanour. Soft magenta eyes sharpened into perilous daggers, her shoulders squared and she boomed loud and clear, "If I ask a question, I expect to be answered! Not whispered to! Now, I will ask again; I assume you all have never had a medical exam before?"

Rookie maids, brother enthusiasts and Royal haters alike had half the wit to understand disobeying this woman couldn't lead to anything good.

"We have not!" The room was an explosion of shaky, yet louder voices.

"We have not, who?"

"We have not, Miss Yosano!"

Yosano sighed. "Now, isn't that a little better? Well, we know our first step to take in your training." The smile that suddenly stretched across her beautiful face could only be seen as deranged. You swallowed, understanding that truly, the Royal Court was also compromised of absolute lunatics. Magenta eyes gleamed. "So, what is it that you are waiting for, ladies? Undo your corsets! I will first be conducting your medical examination!"

Chapter Notes

↣ So, the story is underway. I'd adore to know what you think. Just a few things I thought to mention. Naomi is canonically 16, although in this story I've moved her up to 19. Which also means Tanizaki is 21, although we haven't met him yet. It's not a huge issue I know, just thought to clear it up in case anyone is confused. The minimum age to work in the Palace is 18, so that's the main reason.  ↣ Kingdom Yo is the Kingdom led by King Dietrich and Prince Dazai, while Kingdom Ko is led by Mori. Can you see the pattern here? Points if you can! ↣ "Freedom Rice House" is a play on the favourite restaurant of Oda Sakunosuke "Freedom" situated in the Ko Kingdom. This is where the five children stay. ↣ Grimm's fairy tales was published by Brother's Grimm, a collection of Fairy Tales published in France in 1812. It has the early version in Europe of Snow White and Cinderella (although those stories date back to ancient times, this is the publication I went with!)

ʚɞ . . . 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓

ʚɞ . . . 𝐌𝐘 𝐏𝐀𝐆𝐄

#bungou stray dogs #bungou stray dogs fanfiction #bsd #bsd x reader #bungou stray dogs x reader #dazai osamu #dazai osamu x reader #dazai x reader #kunikida doppo #naomi tanizaki #crowns of stardust #headers by astralnymphh #dividers by saradika! #port mafia #armed detective agency #🪄— milky writes

[thorin-baby-bear]

Regressor rose and cg tenth doctor hcs maybe :0?

Oh absolutely!! I love Rose, she's so lovely :333

CG!10th Doctor & Little!Rose Headcannons

At first, Rose was very shy around 10, specifically about her regression

9 had been her cg before, and she was worried that now it was different and she had lost that part of their relationship

It wasn't until she accidentally regressed in front of 10 that he knew anything about her insecurities

After that, he started trying to get her into little space more often, getting her toys, watching fun cartoons, taking her on fun trips, etc

He really wanted her to see that he was still a good cg

Eventually Rose did come to terms with the change and accepted 10 as her cg :))

He was ecstatic

More Headcannons :33

Rose is very blunt when regressed

10 will say some nonsense to try to get her to laugh, and she'll just stare at him.

"Dat's not true daddy, don't lie" :|

She can be mischievous as well, constantly sneaking off and touching things she's not supposed to.

10 actually considers getting a backpack leash for her before realizing she'd hate that and deciding against it.

She is a very active little, constantly needing exercise and outside time.

She really loves colorful things

All of her toys and little clothes have to be at least two colors (or one reeeeaally bright color) or she won't touch it

10 is very good at finding clothes that Rose likes the texture of

This is important because if it doesn't feel good on her skin or if it's too tight, Rose won't even look at it

She hates being uncomfortable when regressed

10 spoils Rose constantly

New toys, new games, new clothes, anything she wants, she gets.

Nicknames were a difficult thing to decide

Not for Rose, 10 found almost any nicknames worked for her (especially Stardust, Petal, Sweetie, Rosie, and Snappy.)

But cg nicknames for 10?

That took Rose forever to figure out

After much deliberation, she decides on simply Dada, which 10 actually really loves, it makes his heart melt.

Hope you like these!! I love 10 so much, he's so close to my heart :333

#agere #age regression #fandom agere #safe agere #doctor who #doctor who agere #tenth doctor #rose tyler #cg!tenth doctor #little!rose #age regression writing #agere headcanons

[astrxealis]

Apollo, hello, hello!!

How have you been? Anything exciting happen recently or is going to happen?

Remember to take breaks and drink some water <33 take care as always!!

(P.S. sorry for not stopping by in a while!)

WAHH ROSIE HI LOVE HELLO HELLO it has been so long sniffs TT pls dw it's all me tbh i have not been on tumblr for ... im not sure. 1-2 months + just dropping by sometimes yeah :"D but HI i missed u i have been doing well !! <3 and i hope u have been too >_< uhh i have had. stuff for college lately (exam... ^^;) so that has been big stress but it's over now so i am resting and mostly well <3 HMM ... i am going to eat Steak this weekend which i'm vv excited about bcs it is my favorite food ever and we rarely have steak so very exciting 🥺 hbu !!! and yes hehe i will rmbr <3 tysm for the reminder actually oh my god i am so dehydrated ... you take care as always as well alright 🥰💗

#SORRY if i rambled that is very long but already written it so might as well leave it like that aaa anyway ROSIE HI HUGS TO YOU #i hope you've been doing well fr hehe #sorry. to write so much but RIGHT i saw just now that you've been into hsr too !!! hope you've been enjoying lots fr hehe #AND IKEPRI OH MY GOD i used to play the whole series a ton and used to be super excited for that but i still have not played it #but tbh i might do so soon ... if i have enough space <//3 oh and i just remembered but there might be a p3 remake soon apparently #so AAAAA I KNOW YOU LOVE P3 so i think that is super awesome i love p3 very much too hehe i hope u're able to get it #sometime. if p3 remake does end up existing. yeah. okay that's all but have a good rest of the week alr rosie :(( mwa #⋯ ꒰ა my galaxy ໒꒱ *·˚ #⋯ ꒰ა letters of stardust ໒꒱ *·˚ #— rosie! ♡