A/N: Take the Girl will updated tomorrow for sure. I've been called in early and ran out of time again. I'm about to have words with my boss over this.
Coeur and I both seem to be having a rough time of things at our jobs these days...
On a more somber note, my aunt has passed away. Funeral has been held, and I'm still in mourning. And on top of that! I've now been informed that my sister -the one who lives with me and that I care for- needs to have several tumors removed forthwith, which means she'll be off for at least a month, meaning I need even more hours to make up the difference in rent/expenses/electricity and etc. I'm already working crazy hours at both jobs, but now I'll need even more, which means no days off for a bit, most likely, which translates to less time writing...
I've taken to drowning my sorrows in writing and drink, so apologies for any errors here. A lot of Elden Ring updates are ready and rearing to go but have been held back until now, I'll be releasing them soon with Shadow of Erdtree right around the corner. I'm done restraining myself for the sake of the lore and tired of waiting.
As ever, I own no quotes, references, quotes, themes or memes!
They're simply tributes to legends far, far, FAR greater than little 'ol me.
I'm just an old man who writes as a pastime. I don't make any money doing this, not a single cent.
This is ALL done for free. Time and feedback will determine if this fragment becomes a story.
This teaser is from Orange Blasphemy. I'm working on a great many things.
"I did warn you...
~?
Competition
"Who is this dear girl?"
Rennala hid a smile behind her hand as her dear boy introduced his newest "guest" to her.
"I bid thee my most humble of greetings, mother of Rykard." The dragon Adula, no, she'd taken to calling herself Azula in her human form, lifted her dress and sketched a clumsy curtsy to her, lowering her gaze as she did, as was prim and proper. "It is my great pleasure to make your noble acquaintance."
The queen tilted her head just so, considering this waif. Oh, this one was good. Almost frightfully so.
Her human guise was nearly seamless, only her burning golden eyes hinted at her being more than she appeared.
Dear, oh, dear...
Rykard might not mind, but she knew Tanith wouldn't take kindly to this newcomer, to say nothing of Sellen. There would be quite the rucks over this, and before the ball, too!
Time would tell if little Tanith, though not so little anymore, could outlast this latest challenger.
.
..
...well, she shrugged, competition was a healthy thing. If nothing else, it would spur her into action.
Nothing like a swift kick in a rear to compel one into action, she found.
For if inaction led to action, then hesitation was defeat.
She herself once had three elder sisters, each competing for the title of Queen of Caria.
T'was she herself who outlasted them all. Not through brute strength or raw power, no, but through cunning and guile. Through whispered words and shadowed work, through allies and connections and a great many plots and plans...that, and a touch of clever poison.
In the end, victory was hers.
T'was she who survived, and she who thrived, and she who gained it all, claiming that which was rightfully hers.
Many a man called poison a woman's weapon and perhaps they had the right of it, because women were forced to be clever with that little they had. Most men barged in, brute that they were. But some learned to be clever while others played the fool, deflecting all attention from themselves. In that regard, Rykard truly seemed happy to be the second son, the third child. He would never seek to compete Ranni or Radahn for affection and attention as she had her own siblings.
But Tanith would. First with Sellen, now this smirking, shapeshifting dragon.
Poor girl. She had her work cut out for her. Would she succeed?
Time would tell.
A/N: Aaaand cut~!
No previews this time. I'm exhausted. Aaaand there we go. As ever, reviews keep me alive. Without them, I cannot write.
So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...Review...Would You Kindly?
Hope you enjoyed this, and may your day be filled with lots of luck!
Warm regards,
~Nz.