Medb was a woman of unyielding spirit, her fiery pink hair a stark contrast to the cold, grey stones of the ancient castle she once called home. In a world where myths whispered into legends and time had forgotten the grandeur of her reign, she had become a mere footnote in dusty history books. Yet, the Queen of Connacht had no intention of fading away. Her eyes, a piercing shade of green, searched the modern landscape for a new realm to conquer, a new throne to claim. The digital world beckoned, an untouched horizon ripe with potential.
With a tap of her finger, a screen flickered to life before her, casting a warm glow in the dimly lit room. Medb studied the sleek computer with a mix of fascination and trepidation. The mortal device held within it a power she hadn't seen in centuries: the ability to become something entirely different. A virtual avatar, a new identity, a chance to redefine herself. She had watched from the shadows as humans interacted with these 'VTubers', modern-day bards spinning tales and sharing their lives with an eager audience. The concept intrigued her, a way to entertain and perhaps, rule once more.
Her nimble fingers danced across the keyboard, conjuring a digital form that bore no resemblance to her former self. In place of her regal gowns and gleaming armor, she donned the guise of a Japanese schoolgirl named Ayana Kanakura. The avatar's design was meticulous, a blend of innocence and allure that she knew would captivate her soon-to-be followers. The process was a thrilling challenge, a puzzle to be solved, and she reveled in it.
As Ayana, she practiced her opening lines, her voice a sweet melody that belied the cunning mind beneath. Her first video was a tentative step into the vast sea of content creators, but she approached it with the same determination that had once led her armies into battle. She spoke of mundane things - her day, her hobbies, her love for ancient lore - all with the charm of a siren's song. And as she uploaded the video, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement, a sensation not felt since the day she had first laid eyes on the mystical lands of Eire.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Medb's fan base grew at a staggering pace, their numbers swelling like an unstoppable tide. They called themselves 'The Fianna', a nod to her warrior band of old, and showered her with virtual gifts and adoration. Yet, she remained hidden behind her screen, her true identity a secret even to the woman who shared her bed, her beloved Scáthach. The irony was not lost on her, that she who had once been revered and feared now found joy in the simple act of streaming videos and playing games with her newfound friends.
Scáthach, a stoic warrior herself, taught at Trinity College, her days filled with the chatter of students and the weight of historical texts. Upon finishing her classes, she would often return home to the comfort of their shared abode, eager to unwind. Her eyes would scan the room, noticing the subtle changes - the occasional empty soda can, the whispers of laughter that lingered in the air, the faint scent of incense that wasn't her own. It was as if their home had become a battleground of a different sort, one of digital love and camaraderie that she knew nothing about.
One evening, as Scáthach sat down to pay the bills, she couldn't help but notice a discrepancy in their shared savings account. The balance had ballooned, the numbers swelling like a dragon's hoard. Puzzled, she traced the source of the influx back to a series of large deposits from an unfamiliar account. The name attached was foreign to her, but it bore a faint scent of magic, a hint of the ancient world she had left behind. Curiosity piqued, she decided to investigate, unaware that her quest for answers would lead her down a path that intertwined with the very fabric of their marriage.
Scáthach approached Medb as she sat, her eyes glued to the computer screen, the glow from the monitor reflecting off her glasses. "My love," she began, trying to keep the accusation from her voice. "I noticed something peculiar about our bank account."
Medb's head snapped up, the glow from the screen highlighting the sudden pallor of her skin. She swallowed hard, her hand hovering over the mouse. "Oh?" she replied, feigned innocence slipping from her lips like a poorly tied knot.
"Yes," Scáthach said, her eyes narrowing slightly. "A substantial amount of money has been deposited from a... let's call it an unexpected source. Care to explain?"
Medb's heart raced as she searched for a plausible lie, her mind a whirlwind of panic. Yet, she was the Queen of Connacht, a woman who had faced down armies and outwitted gods. A simple fib to her wife was but a trifle. "It's nothing," she said, her voice too casual. "Just some inheritance from a distant relative. They must have finally found us."
Scáthach studied her, the silence stretching like a bowstring ready to snap. She knew Medb well, could read the shifts in her demeanor like the pages of an open book. The lie was as transparent as a spring morning, but she chose to let it rest, for now.
Days passed, the tension in their home thickening like the fog that clung to the Irish moors. Scáthach couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this 'inheritance' than met the eye. And as she watched her wife sneak away to her computer night after night, the curiosity grew into a festering suspicion.
It was during one of her late-night prowls that she stumbled upon the notification saved on Medb's phone. The avatar on the screen looked back at her with eyes that mirrored her own, a digital reflection of the woman she had sworn to cherish. The name Ayana Kanakura danced before her eyes, and suddenly, the pieces fell into place. The whispers of laughter, the smell of incense, the secretive glances. The truth struck her like a bolt of lightning from the heavens - Medb had become a VTuber, and a wildly successful one at that.
Scáthach couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. Her ancient queen, reduced to playing video games and chatting with fans in a high-pitched, bubbly tone. The very thought of it tickled her in a way she hadn't felt in ages. But there was something more, a spark of admiration for Medb's ability to adapt, to find joy in the most unexpected of places. It was as if the old fires of her spirit had been rekindled in the digital realm.
The next evening, she waited until Medb was deep in her VTuber persona before she decided to confront her. The room was a cacophony of digital sounds and laughter that seemed to bounce off the walls. She cleared her throat, and Medb's eyes flicked towards her, wide with surprise. The screen went black, and the laughter died away, leaving only the echo of Ayana's giggle in the room.
"Well, well, well," Scáthach said, her voice laced with amusement. "The Queen of Connacht, slaying internet trolls and raiding dungeons in her spare time."
Medb's eyes narrowed, a hint of defiance in them. "It's just a hobby," she said, trying to keep her cool.
"A hobby that's making us richer than the Tuatha Dé Danann?" Scáthach raised an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth twitching.
Medb sputtered, trying to come up with a suitable retort. "I-it's not just for the money," she stuttered, her cheeks flushing. "I enjoy it. And the fans... they're like a new Fianna, supporting me in a different way."
Scáthach couldn't hold back her laughter any longer. It bubbled up from her chest, a warm, infectious sound that filled the room. "You're adorable," she said, shaking her head. "A warrior queen playing games and sharing stories with the masses. Who would've thought?"
The tension broke, and Medb's shoulders slumped in relief. "You're not mad?"
"Mad?" Scáthach wiped a tear from her eye. "I'm impressed. And a little jealous. Can I join you next time?"
The room was filled with the sound of their laughter, melding together like the threads of fate. The Queen of Connacht had found a new throne, and Scáthach had discovered a side of her wife she never knew existed. And as they embraced, the line between the ancient world and the modern blurred, proving that love and ambition could indeed exist in the most unassuming of places - even in the realm of VTubers.
This one-shot is inspired from VTuber Legend. (Medb and Awayuki have the same VA.)