Freij
Freije
Known for their fringed ears, thick dark hair, and natural resistance the frigid temperatures of the north.
Freije seals take on a white or pale-blue hue, contrasting against their dark skin. Typically asymmetrical and unique to each individual, they have been widely (and fittingly) remarked as resembling snowflakes and frost, consisting of radial pattern of crystal-like markings.
Matriar
The military and naval prowess of Freij is recognized across Elothia, and its Matriar reflects that. As Leader and Admiral, She dons the military vestments of the region, although ornamented and embroidered to indicated Her regal station. She also carries on Her person, just as the officers under Her, a dagger and sabre. Typically these would be highly decorated commissioned works, much like Her chokha and kalpak. However the current Matriar has forgone the tradition, preferring to don and wield the standard arms of her men.
As Impero recently saw a Patris leave the throne, Freij is likely to see one on theirs in the coming centuries as the current Matriar has only one son and seemingly no interest in bearing another child.
Czars
State officials and Generals to Her Majesty. Much like the Matriar, Czars are outfitted in military garb and keep a dagger and sabre on their person. While still decorated to denote them as officers of import, it is not to the level of the Matriar.
Citizens
Despite the high tolerance to the northern climate that they have become known for, Freije are born incredibly susceptible to the cold.
Newborns are heavily swaddled in thick furs and kept indoors for the most of their first year. Even when younglings are finally able to be brought outdoors, they do so thoroughly bundled up, almost comically, in several layers of thick clothing and furs.
It's not until adolescense that the Freije's cold tolerance truly begin to build up. They begin to strip away their heavy coats, scarves and furs, and many, many, layers as the years proceed, and by their first century the typical Freije can brush off the low temperatures with far lighter apparel. To the outsider experiencing the bite of Freij's Spring chill for the first time, they may even look underdressed.
In opposition to this are the region's wealthier merchants, barons, and city officials. Setting themselves up at higher altitudes, far above the crowded docks and fish markets, even their natural resistance isn't quite enough to keep out the colder mountain winds. As a result, upper class Draken remain relatively bundled up well after maturing - a fact that's earned the ridicule of many common folk, thinking it make them look childish.
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WIP Wednesday: Fictober 2022 Previews
Back again for my fourth year of Fictober!
The prompts came out a little late this year, so I've decided to not use betas this year as I don't have the time to work on these and then send them off to my usual preview readers, so this year's fictober is gonna look a little rough.
Down below are previews of what I've written on at least two of my fics this year, the first being my yearly Mitsuhide fic. The second is gonna be my return to Comte angst after having a bit of burnout at the end of fictober last year.
Regular warnings apply, raw text, not edited. CW for pregnancy mentions in both sections and implied complications in Comte's section.
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You turned further away, feeling your ears burn. Mitsuhide poked you again.
"Come now, Little Mouse, these oranges I worked so hard to pick for you will rot at this rate."
You tense, feeling the craving for the sweet tanginess of oranges come over you so suddenly. True, you had told him you liked oranges before, but the craving coming over you was intense.
"[Name]," Mitsuhide said more firmly, the sound of a round fruit rolling on a plate catching your attention.
He had his thumb placed at the top of the orange, the rind giving easily to quick, gentle pressure. He put half a piece to his mouth, bit down and the juice dribbled down his chin. You swallowed, hard.
"But… you can't taste anything-"
"It's wet," he said simply, licking his lips sensually. "Cool on the tongue. Little sticky if I had to give it one flaw."
He finished off his little piece, licking the remaining juice from his fingers, making sure to look you in the eye while doing so.
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"You know that I would anything for her… for them…" Comte brushed her damp bangs out of her eyes, closed in an uneasy sleep.
"Even risking turning her?" Leonardo said pointedly, glaring at his old friend.
"Blanc and Rouge aren't doing as well as we had hoped. It has to be a pureblood's essence."
"And what happens if you lose both of them? What then?"
"We have to try something, Leonardo. I can't stand to see her in pain, not for a minute longer."
Leonardo glared, staring down the other vampire, his teeth grinding together.
"Fine… but we're using a sterilized knife. No need to get your teeth involved."
Comte smiled, tired, but relieved.
"Thank you, mon ami."
"I'll go ask Sebas for a sharp one." Leonardo turned with the speed only a pureblood could manage, his coat tails trailing behind him.
Comte turned his attention back to his cherie on the bed, pale but still breathing. His kissed her fevered forehead, brushing back more of her sweat-dampened hair. His other hand trailed down her side, to her swelled abdomen covered by the thin sheet. He pressed his hand into her, feeling a tiny heart beneath his hand against what he could only assume was his child's back.
"So strong." Comte said tenderly, his smile soft despite his fatigue. "The union of a human and a pureblood."
His eyes turned back to his love, his smile turning to a frown.
"I'm sorry, ma cherie." he said, sadly, "this… all of this… none of us knew that this was even possible. For purebloods and humans to be able to reproduce together… and now you're suffering because of it…"
His hand trembled in her hair.
"If I could take away your suffering, all of it… you know that I would. But it's becoming harder and harder to find viable options. I thought that the Rouge would help as it's the closest to the real thing, but even that is starting to fail."
His breath shuddered, struggling to keep his voice even as he spoke to her.
"If nothing else works… if my blood isn't enough…
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