Ill Be Off Tumblr And Probably Discord Today. Busy Pretending Like Im A Badass Warrior Like Mayu. Emphasis

i’ll be off tumblr and probably discord today. busy pretending like i’m a badass warrior like mayu. emphasis on pretending lol

G U I D E L I N E S

Key, 25+ she/her

psa: this blog is mostly to host my blogroll (pinned post). i’m not roleplaying with this specific blog because all my muses have been moved to separate sideblogs. but all follow backs do come from braveandunbreakable.

MY RP BLOGS (all sideblogs):

[FAE] my headcanon-based portrayal of MOR & AZ & RAYA (az’s mother) & RIYA (rhys’ sister) from the A.COTAR series (high activity)

[ANGELS/VAMPIRES] my fandomless and headcanon-based take on SAGE & JESSALYN (high activity) and my canon-divergent portrayal of KATHERINE (currently inactive, on demand) from TVD novels by lj smith

[CURSED WITCH] my fandomless and headcanon-based THORN from s.cooby doo. (high activity)

my fandomless witch lost fae princess and damned soul NYX (low activity)

[VAMPIRE] LISSA (+ avery) from VA by richelle mead (currently inactive)

[IMMORTAL] CALYPSO (on demand) a muse inspired by greek mythology, the fairytale of the little mermaid by hans christian andersen & the novel the invisible life of addie larue by v.e. schwab

[G.RISHAVERSE] GENYA (low activity), ULLA (medium activity), EHRI, MAYU, MAKHI (low activity)

iskron​:

❝ Plants? Are you good with cacti? Because I cannot remember to water them and study at the same time.❞

Not that he studies much anyway, he is blessed with a remarkably good memory. The upside of having a body willing to give out on you anytime. At least he was right in his head. Okay - he should take it back. Drug addiction and alcoholism probably aren’t what anyone would call right and he isn’t proud of his self-destructive habits either. It is what it is.

❝ Right. But you could stay in your room if you do not want to have the pleasure of meeting my loveable cousins. Don’t worry I’d scream if something happened to me. ❞

He is not used to having someone at his tail 24/7, he realizes as he goes through the cupboards once again to look for suitable glasses. Hmm, highball. Four of those and a normal one for Mayu’s soda. He respects her boundaries and he is not going to force her to drink with them. Damn his cousins and their questions, he would let her have her non-alcoholic beverage of choice.

A quick glance on his phone and a hastily replied “Anything for you❤️” is all Nikolai receives as he starts pouring the glasses, one for him, two for Vasily and one for himself. He goes with Stolichnaya just because he doesn’t particularly feel like wasting expensive vodka when he doesn’t like its taste anyway. Booze is booze he takes all he can get. Would he rather have a cocktail? Absolutely. However, they are in Russia where there is an overabundance of vodka and an underwhelming amount of, well, anything else acholic.

❝ I hate all of them equally. ❞ he exhales a laugh before he starts to explain.

❝ My cousins brought me into it. I don’t particularly like strong alcohol. More of a sweet type you know? ❞

Not only with alcohol.

The doorbell interrupted him before he could say anything else.

❝ Oh, it must be them. ❞

—

❝ You better explain it to dad why I left early … ❞

Vasily’s voice could be heard even from outside the apartment as he starts to argue with his little brother. He should be glad he doesn’t have to sit in his office anymore, is all Rasmus can think. But him and Vasily have always been fundamentally different even if they seemed so alike.

❝ I wasn’t even working for … 14 hours today and I am not even halfway through the reports … ❞

Rasmus opens the door with a wide grim before his cousin can continue his rant.

❝ Could you two stop bickering for once? ❞

❛ I can water them. ❜ Mayu had said with conviction. ❛ I used to do it when i was living with my brother. ❜ Shit. Did she really say that last bit out loud? He doesn’t need to know about such trivial matters. He doesn’t need to know about her life, about Reyem, about what happened to him. The matter of plants seemed to have been settled quickly though. Thank god. Rasmus was about to get visitors and was making sure the drinks were ready for when his guests arrived. His answer to her question earns him a questioning glance. They hadn’t expected this, honestly. She’s confused but her interest has been piqued. He explains. His cousins got him into vodka, apparently, and he doesn’t like strong alcohol. Mayu has a hard time believing it, judging by how many bottles of strong alcohol there are in that cabinet. More of a sweet type you know? he then says. 

I don’t know, i’ve never been called SWEET. But before she could actually answer something substantial, the doorbell interrupts them. Let the fun begin. 

❛ Sure, sure. ❜ Nikolai replies, as if he’s a dad indulging a child, while he pats his brig brother’s shoulder heavily. He rolls his eyes behind Vasily’s back but, really, having his brother work so much worries him. More than 14 hours a day? That can’t be healthy, right? The door opens, revealing Rasmus. ❛ Us bickering? Pff! I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, cuz. ❜ He winks at his cousin before letting hazel eyes widen at the sight of him. ❛ Oh! And look at you miraculously recovered from your very recent fall into the staircase of your building! That’s a m i r a c l e ! We should definitely drink to that, shall we? ❜ He enters, dragging Vasily with him into the kitchen area. ❛ Look, Vasya! There’s two glasses of your  f a v o r i t e  vodka waiting for y— Oh! ❜ He stops dead in his tracks. There’s someone leaning against the countertop. A rather short yet very attractive someone. He let go of his brother’s arm to run a hand through his hair, giving the person a charming grin. ❛ Pardon my manners. Ray didn't tell us he had someone over. ❜ 

❛ I live here. ❜ They replies, bringing their glass to their lips. They don’t drink though. Their head tilts to the side midway as eyes like molten gold study him. Intently. ❛ You must be Nikolai Lantsov. ❜

Nikolai almost blinks at that. ❛ You do? ❜ He utters, eyeing Rasmus, intrigued, before hazel eyes goes back to his cousin’s r o o m m a t e. ❛ As a matter of fact, i am! The grumpy one here is my brother Vasily. I’m guessing you heard of us. ❜ He replies, straightening, proudly, before narrowing his eyes. ❛ Should we be worried we haven’t heard of you? ❜ It’s his turn to tilt his head to the side, observe the person’s features with his clever hazels.  

❛ I’m Mayu Kir-Kaat, not that my name should ring any bells. ❜ Mayu says with a shrug before taking a sip from her soda. This one’s clever, they think. Could be dangerous. They take a few steps closer, looking at him over her dark lashes. ❛ Well—— Ray can be quite secretive at times. ❜ The bodyguard exchanges a glance with Rasmus and a knowing smile. ❛ That’s a quality I appreciate. I’m not much of a socialite. ❜ She adds, with a well-placed nervous laugh ❛ Meeting you guys is kind of a baby step. ❜ Those are no lies. Only half truths. She’s great at that. There’s something  e e r i e  about the way she acts now, compared to when they were in private. They seem more relaxed, in control, approachable, even friendly. No doubt she’s adapting to the people around them like a chameleon to its environment.   

couronnez​:

When the door to the sitting room opened, Vasily was caught up deep in his thoughts and almost hadn’t managed to scramble to his feet to the greet the princess properly. He’d been wondering about Nikolai, who he was doing in the infantry, when he’d finally return and put an end to the misery that would be this marriage. He’d written to him and his brother had promised he’d travel to Os Alta. It was only a question of time.

His glance fell onto the lush green silks, the heavy headdress studded with more emeralds than he’d ever seen, sparkling beautifully in the bright chandelier light and the soft sun rays falling in through the tall windows. Saints, they were taking this engagement seriously…

He hadn’t. He truly had thought that there would be a chance to weasel his way out of this. Apparently, a misassumption.

❝ I could say the same about you, Princess. You look lovely, by the way.❞

A nervous chuckle, a vent to release some of the built up tension inside of him. So far so good. He couldn’t mess this up. Not again. Whatever happened next however, he couldn’t have predicted nor prepared for in any way. A laugh slipped past his lips, genuine, kind-hearted, taking the tease as a compliment.

Meet insults with laughter.

❝ Indeed. I guess you’re glad it wasn’t your dress I ruined.❞

A smirk spread over his lips as their eyes met, blue clashing with gold. There was something in them, something he couldn’t place but he was skilled at reading people. She was hiding something. There was the sort of hardship and pain in those irises he knew all too well. Why would a princess carry those with her? What had they done and what had been done to them to justify it? Vasily had his own guards posted at the entrance and the windows, four of them in total to stand against the Tavgharads should the need arise. He doubted it but he’d rather be safe than sorry and dead on top.

Vasily was a little taken aback by her request and yet nodded anyway, dismissing his own servants with an easy flick of his hand.

❝ As you wish, princess. I could assure you, though, that Ravkan tea is excellent.❞

She’d have to get used to it if she was to marry him. For now, anything to make her happy. Anything to not accidentally cause a war. Over tea of all things.

❝ I have never had tea the Shu way, to be honest. Do you add sugar as well? I’d hate to drink mine without sugar.❞

He had a sweet tooth through and through, since always. A light-hearted smile as he gestured toward one of the divans in the sitting room, waiting for to sit down so he could do so as well.

The Shu royal had taken in the compliment like any princess who wasn't incredibly vain would have. With a shy smile. Meanwhile, Mayu was inwardly fighting the urge to throw that damned headdress out the window and take off every piece of jewelry they were wearing. This is for your country, they told themselves. But Mayu knew the truth. Queen Makhi would’ve never got her into a dress and jewelry, even if they had been paid for it. Ehri though… Sweet and gentle Ehri could get the ruthless Tavgharad to agree to all the crazy plans she had as long as it didn’t put anyone in danger. Besides, Mayu did also want to make sure Vasily was a suitable future husband for their princess. So, of course, they had agreed to wear all the dresses and jewelry. She still hated the hell out of the experience but she’d do it all over again. For Ehri. Gold eyes had widened slightly in surprise as the prince met her remark with laughter, though they had been quick to regain composure. 

❛ Oh, you could’ve ruined mine and i wouldn’t have been bothered. I don’t care much for pretty dresses and whatnots ❜ She’d waved off the matter before adding. ❛ unlike my queen…sister. ❜ There’d been a short break after queen. Almost imperceptible, except for people who paid close attention. Dammit. Be more careful. Unfortunately, they’d made sure to add the rest and keep the words flowing from her mouth. ❛ To be honest, i'm dressed this way because my advisor suggested so. You have no idea how heavy that headdress actually is! ❜ Vulnerability and honestly made one likable and usually helped the other person feel more at ease, enough to open themselves up as well. Which was the goal here: getting to know the true Vasily Lantsov.

There was a noise in the background. Like something hitting hard wood. The maid had hit her elbow on the side of the table. Ehri swallowed her pain and kept on scraping the tea leaves off the bamboo tea holder and into the brewing vessel while telling herself she was definitely gonna have A TALK  with Mayu after this. Sure, it was true the advisor had suggested it and it was true that the headdress was HEAVY and that the real Princess Ehri didn’t care much for her pretty dresses unlike her sister but the real Ehri would’ve never told Vasily all of those things. Vasily Lantsov didn’t know Ehri but if the latter was gonna become the man’s wife, it’d be nice for him to actually come to appreciate the real her, not Mayu. Not that the bluntness wasn’t an appreciable trait of the Tavgharad. It was! In fact, Ehri was very much fond of Mayu’s straightforwardness. It hadn’t been a personality trait she had expected from a Tavgharad at all. While the rest of her guards coddled her and rarely disagreed with her, Mayu was blunt when the hard truth needed to be said. And Ehri listened. Always. 

The princess’s head had jerked up before she’d even sat down on the divan, sending the maid a worried and questioning glance to which the maid replied in Shu that everything was alright. So, the princess seemed to relax a bit, finally sitting down, but the tension in her frame was still visible by the way she kept her back straight, not so much as in a perfect-princess way but rather in a there’s-a-bomb-in-the-room-and-that-thing-will-explode-if-i-mess-anything-up kinda way. 

❛ We usually don’t but we can put sugar in yours for sure. ❜ The royal said, glancing to the maid to make sure she’d understood and since it seemed she did, they kept the conversation going, smiling at the prince. ❛ Next time, we’ll get to have tea the ravkan way, i promise. After all, we’re here to befriend each other, aren’t we? ❜ Another bright smile. ❛ I think it’s important we learn and embrace one another’s culture during my stay here. I will not forsake my nation and my culture for the sake of my future husband’s kingdom. Shu Han is my home and my heart. If I ever come to live here, in Ravka, the Court and the people will have to accept that. ❜ She paused, letting the words sink in as the maid brought them their tea, adding sugar to Vasily’s cup and leaving the bowl next to the prince, in case he wished to add more. 

The next part was gonna be the most important. If Vasily answered wrong to her following question, this whole marriage thing would become history and they would go back home. If he answered correctly, then Mayu might have to let Ehri go. The first case scenario would mean war and the other one meant losing someone dear to them. Lips parted as gold eyes met blue ones again. There was a solemnity in them… and an ounce of pain. ❛ Will you or will you not defend your potential bride’s desire and right to keep her heritage alive within these walls? My hand won’t just come with the treasures of Shu Han, Vasily –which I am aware Ravka needs. It will come with so much more than gold and warfare allyship and I want you to be aware of what you’d be signing up for.❜  

Makhi Kir-Taban had dodge the bullet that was the crown prince Vasily Lantsov when their mother Queen Keyen Kir-Taban had fallen ill. As the eldest daughter she was to be queen in a matter of months and, therefore, the burden of establishing an alliance with Ravka had fallen on Ehri’s frail shoulders and, unfortunately for her, that seemed to come with an arranged marriage. While most girls her age would fantasize about their wedding, about romance and whatnots, those thoughts had never ever crossed the mind of Princess Ehri Kir-Taban. Marriage had always been nowhere in her plans for the future and neither was becoming a Queen.

❛ Are you alight? ❜ Mayu’s fingers had closed around her wrist, gently, studying her face. Ehri’s hands were trembling as she did her Tavgharad’s hair, giving her the perfect Shu royalty look. The touch had startled her somehow. She nodded slightly. Mayu let go and went back to unfolding the silk of her skirt. Ehri placed the headdress on their head, securing it with gorgeous hairpins. Then, she’d stepped away to observe her masterpiece. Mayu Kir-Kaat was unrecognizable with their makeup and dressed in sumptuous green silks embroidered with silver flowers.

❛ That thing is heavy. ❜ Mayu complained as she touched the headdress sitting on top of their head. It was studded with massive emeralds. They’d scrunched their face in a way that had made Ehri think they were adorable. Sure, adorable wasn’t the first word you would think when you met the Tavgharad but today that was the only thing that came to Ehri’s mind. Adorable. 

❛ You’re such a child. ❜ Ehri said booping Mayu’s nose as a chuckle escaped her, releasing some of the tension in her frame. ❛ And keep your back straight, Princess.❜ She added, pulling their shoulders back to adjust their posture. Mayu stiffened and then obliged. Ehri smiled with satisfaction. There. perfect. ❛ Are you ready? ❜ She asked, standing by the door in her maid disguise.  

❛ To have a playdate with a prince? Of course. I’m delighted. ❜ Mayu replied with a polite grin. Very princess-like. Then, her expression softened. ❛ Are you..? ❜ 

The concern was clear in the Tavgharad’s voice. Ehri didn’t answer but her silence spoke louder than any word. She was terrified. A hand reached out for her shoulder and held it in a gentle squeeze. Toffee eyes met the Tavgharad’s dark orbs in utter silence. You’re not alone, that was what the guard had said without parting their lips and, somehow, Ehri gathered the courage to open the door and together they made their way to the sitting room where Vasily was waiting. 

***

 ❛ How lovely it is to see you, Prince Vasily. ❜ The princess said in perfect ravkan as she curtsied in her emerald green silks. Her voice was soft and polite. So much so that the teasing remark that followed came as a surprise for everyone in the room. ❛ Especially in much much sober circumstances. ❜ She added as she straightened, brown eyes meeting the blue orbs of the crown prince while a sly smile played about her lips 

Mayu! Ehri wanted to shout but the maid she was only hid a smile behind her dark locks as she stood by her princess' side, eyes fixated on the tray she held in her hands, which contained all the necessities for tea. Behind the princess and the maid stood two Tavgharads. Surely, Vasily Lantsov wouldn’t expect the shu royal to walk around the Grand Palace without proper protection. 

 ❛ Hope you do not mind, i asked my maid to bring everything we needed. ❜ The princess kept her head up and proud. A simple flick of a hand and her maid scurried to set up the table for tea. ❛ Tea is sacred for us Shu. We do like it a certain way. ❜ the royal explained as the maid moved things around behind them. ❛ It is nothing against ravkan culture, really, i just miss home already and tea has always been a comfort for me. ❜ 

She makes a better princess than me, Ehri thought as she set up the table for a proper Shu tea ritual like the maid she was. It was an easy task for her since she’d been doing it herself for years. She rarely kept servants around back at the Taban Palace. She liked to be self-sufficient and preparing tea for herself always brought her comfort.

Royal teas, secrets and an unexpected love match

closed starter for @braveandunbreakable

Vasily Alexandrovich Lantsov. Crown Prince of Ravka. Future Tsar of a vast sovereign nation. There was nothing he'd lack other than coffers filled with money and an heir. A sort of safety measure in case anything should happen to him. Truthfully his parents had fallen into a panic about the royal lineage. The Lantsov rule must be secured at all cost.

In all honesty, Vasily despised the thought of marrying someone he didn't love. Even if he'd known it was just wishful thinking to hope for a love match, he had done so. He'd believed his father would allow him to choose his queen rather than sell him off to the first highborn princess that had been offered to him. But Vasily wasn't naive. Above all he served Ravka. He did his duty even if said duty meant spending the rest of his life with a woman he didn't love nor cared about.

Ehri Kir-Taban. The second heiress in line for the Shu throne after he sister Makhi. He'd only ever met the Shu royal family at a disastrous ball in Ahmrat Jen - where he'd gotten so drunk he'd called the crown princess as ugly as a toad and had spilled an entire bottle of kvas onto her immaculate dress as well. So much for a peace treaty with Shu Han - he should be happy he hadn't caused another outbreak of war.

Currently, princess Ehri was residing at the Grand palace in Ravka at the invitation of his mother, queen Tatiana. Rumors of his apparent engagement with her had spread fast and far, an alliance between their countries could mean an end to the Fjerdan border wars and a prosperous new trading route.

Earlier, he'd only briefly introduced himself to her and her maid, before his madraya had ushered them off to show them the castle. A servant had been sent to deliver an official invitation to join him for tea - as tradition would have it.

Vasily was nervously tugging at the sleeve of his fine blue military jacket, the fabric braided with glistening gold. He hated every minute of this - the princess hadn't even arrived yet.

Maybe she will try and assassinate me? Anything to get out of this mess.

queenofdarkestshadows​:

❝Of course he didn’t…he must have simply misplaced her.❞ Zoyas tone was mocking, her blue eyes amused at Genya’s quick reaction and defending Alina. She rolled her blue eyes as she leaned against the door frame, acting all bored and uninterested. When Genya finally stopped talking, Zoya took a pause before she finally spoke. ❝ Oh, are you done? Sorry I wasn’t paying attention once you started to ramble of our scared, whinnying Sun Summoner.❞ She shrugged, as if that was a normal reaction. Of course, in truth, she did memorize every single word Genya said and it only made her more annoyed she was out of the secret.

❝Scared girls have no place in a war. Maybe it’s time for Darkling to see that. ❞ She staightened up. ❝Well, yes. I believe that was his name. We have a more serious mission that look for little girls. Why are so surprised, jealous Safin? It must be exhausting to forever stay in the Palace and playing dress ups while the grownups actually do something important.❞

Genya frowned, hands on her hips, at Zoya’s bored look. She knew the girl was listening to her still so there was literally no point of acting this way. A good soldier knew when to shut up and listen. Especially listen and act like you didn’t bother nor deem the information of interest when in fact it was. A huge part of those war games started with unintentionally spilled information during daily conversations with people you thought you could trust. ❛Like it or not, Alina is needed for Ravka to prosper. ❜ The redhead replied before frowning as Zoya said the captain was indeed Sturmhond. Why would the Darkling work with a man like this? What was it that he needed from a bloody privateer? She rolled her eyes, trying to appear unhurt but Zoya’s last words had stung more than expected. ❛ I’m done playing dress-up. ❜ She said, her voice soft but confident. ❛ I’ve done my part for my people. ❜ She proudly smoothed her bright red kefta with her hands before looking up to the squaller. ❛ We all have our part to play, do we, dear Zoya? I have good faith in your abilities to get what we need from Sturmhond. ❜