Nonsense
She used to believe that being told she was beautiful was the best compliment. No one EVER really told her that, besides the boys who would "go walking" with her.
Now she knows that the real compliments are the rare gems from his mouth. She always knows he's telling her the truth.
NOTES: Totally connected to #46, "Pattern".
Lies
During the heat of the moment, dyed red with lust, she'll tell her husband she loves him.
NOTES: Connected to #22, #24, and #59, or what I'm calling "DEATH TO ALL HAPPINESS" series.
Surname
She, amongst her long train of names, is the Striking Eagle. She swoops down upon her prey with a shriek, ripping them into elegant ribbons of death.
He is pretty sure that he never saw her coming.
NOTES: Did you see the METAPHOR? That SYMBOLIZES something? Hint, it's in the first sentence!
No Way Out
It's like a horrible nightmare of a life that she can't escape from. Inside, she keeps calling out his name, but nobody answers.
She's sure that one day she'll wake up, and he'll be right next to her.
NOTES: Sad. Part of the "DEATH TO ALL HAPPINESS" series.
Mispronunciations
He absolutely HATES it when people call his "Oct-ah-vis" rather than "Oc-ta-vi-us". Of course, he doesn't show it in public. He's too polite. But on the inside, he throws a little (READ: big) temper tantrum.
Thank Deus Imperator she's never called him that.
NOTES: This is NONSENSE.
Running Away
She believes that there is no honor in retreat. Better to die than to run like a coward.
Nonetheless, she beats a hasty retreat when she learns that he may feel more for her than previously suspected.
NOTES: Emotionally crippled!Cressida.
Negotiation
He is surprised when a clean, beautiful girl comes in. He was expected a full-grown barbarian, for intimidation.
Instead, the person on the opposite side of the room is clean-cut. If she is a barbarian, she is a neat one, for her ice-blue tunic is spotless, and her hair is shining and well coiffed. Her skin is fair and, unlike he originally suspected, not covered in dirt. There's an intelligent gleam to her eye, something that lets him know that she is an opponent to be treated with respect and not condescension.
They both know why they're there. He starts immediately with courtesies, attempting to throw her off balance.
"Good afternoon, my lady. You look quite beautiful, though I do not have the pleasure of knowing your name."
"Cut the crap, Polypontian," she snaps. She says "Polypontian" like it's a curse, he notes.
"All I ask is your name, my lady."
"I am Cressida Aethelflaed Elemnestra Strong-In-The-Arm Lindenshield, Striking Eagle, Crown Princess of the Icemark. And you?" There is the barest trace of civility in her speech. For a princess, she is not very gentle.
"I am Octavius Domitian Lycurgus Bellorum, General of the Southern Army."
"Bellorum," she spits out, with even more acid than when she said "Polypontian".
"Well, shall we get down to business then?" He asks.
She straightens up and assumes a regal air, surprising him. "I am willing to put aside my... personal grievances in terms of an agreement."
"Well, then. To the matter at hand: negotiating the terms of peace between the Polypontian Empire and the Icemark Alliance."
NOTES: And alternate version of #31, "Officer". Same situation, with the rebel Alliance versus the occupying Empire, only Cressida never went on the mission and Octavius never switched sides. They're negotiating peace!
Shades of Gray
Sometimes they think they are neither of Polypontus nor of the Icemark. Rather, they are an independent force, striving for peace.
NOTES: I don't even think this fits the prompt.
Unsettling Revelations
She shivers at the thought that he likes her. All boys have cooties!
NOTES: Because I'm crazy, here's Icemark in preschool. What am I on.
Hypocrite
One day in the Senate, Cressida denounces the practice of slavery in the Empire. She talks for hours about the importance of freedom, ranting about how important it is for a person to be free to do what they wish.
For someone who claims to so believe in personal freedoms, he thinks, for once not amused by the naïve princess' ideals, she is fairly excellent at denying herself her rights.
NOTES: OK, this bears some explanation. This is the "Octavius is mischievous, political, and toying with the world!" universe, like the one featured in #41, "Game". My thinking is that Cressida, too busy trying to reconstruct the Empire as well as being concerned with her propriety and reputation, has denied her feelings for Octavius and refuses to be with him. Her sentiments (or ones like them; I don't know if they're directly connected to this piece) can be seen in #15, "Enemy", #35, "Bond", #53, "Hangover", and #66, "Running Away". Octavius is pissed because he knows that she likes him, but won't do anything about it because she's basically afraid.
