What's the good of getting all dolled up for some formal diplomatic function if you can't have some fun along the way? Ciara has a reputation as the most honest and hard working monarch her kingdom has seen in several generations, but she's still the same fun loving, flirty vixen she was before she took the throne. It would appear that some lovely lady has caught her eye, or maybe she's ditched her counselors and bodyguards to spend the rest of the day with her wife. Either way, I don't think her mind is on politics any longer.
Art belongs to the very talented shushikitty Her post: Pending
Her Royal Majesty, Queen Ciara XIII belongs to me.
Yeah, I suppose that's true. Ciara's marriage is actually not a bad example, though she didn't mean for it to be. She just wanted to marry the girl she loved. But when arguably the most prominent members of two royal families are wed, it has a significant impact on their respective kingdoms. Lucky for them, it seems to have helped to bring a measure peace and stability to a land that is historically less a country and more a series of ongoing wars. Which isn't bad going for a mixed breed bastard and a vixen obsessed rabbit doe.
Yeah, I suppose that's true. Ciara's marriage is actually not a bad example, though she didn't mean
I'm sure it would be. Fortunately for any lady she might take an interest in, that's not Ciara's style at all. She was raised to value and preserve life and the rights of others, no matter how she might personally feel about them. She doesn't even eat meat, though admittedly that has more to do with being married to a rabbit and just falling out of the habit. Having been raised by her soldier mother, well outside of the usual royal circles, probably helped as well since she lacks the sense of entitlement and arrogance a lot of royalty seem to possess.
Besides, these days she mostly sticks to flirting with a few select friends she's already gotten close to. So nobody is in any danger except, maybe, of getting their clothes torn in her eagerness.
I'm sure it would be. Fortunately for any lady she might take an interest in, that's not Ciara's sty
Well that's a releif anyway n_n . I'm glad she's more human and down to earth, rather then viewing the world and everyone in it as her play things. I woudn't mind being her subject n_n .
Well that's a releif anyway n_n . I'm glad she's more human and down to earth, rather then viewing t
I've always liked the idea of leaders who work for the benefit of their people, and with Ciara being the central protagonist of most of my novels, I wanted her to be a pretty good one. She still has her flaws, of course, because who doesn't? But she's a pretty decent person on the whole.
Anyone is welcome to come join her kingdom if they wish to. Most of the people who live there are foxes, thanks to the rather clannish nature of the species of her homeland that has only just recently began to dissipate. But all species are welcome.
I've always liked the idea of leaders who work for the benefit of their people, and with Ciara being
Aw, thanks! She puts on a good show, at least. She wasn't really raised to be royalty and she's probably one of the most informal monarchs you'll ever meet, but sometimes you just have to dazzle 'em.
Ciara is strictly above board when it comes to youngsters, but I'm sure she'd be delighted to meet Poly sometime regardless. She adores kids and she'd enjoy hearing about at least some of Poly's adventures as well. She was something of an adventurer herself, not so many years ago. Plus I'm sure Poly could talk her into at least a hug, if she wanted to.
Aw, thanks! She puts on a good show, at least. She wasn't really raised to be royalty and she's prob
*giggles* I'm sure being an informal monarch is fun! How did she get the crown, if it wasn't mean to be hers?
*nodnods~! That's fine~! Poly would love to swap stories about being an adventurer, and, of course, also regale the queen with her exploits~! Youngsters always like talking about themselves :P
Also yay! *extends her paws, while also opening them to show she's not holding a dagger in either~! "Hug!" She doesn't comment on the 'at least a', though~! :P
*giggles* I'm sure being an informal monarch is fun! How did she get the crown, if it wasn't mean
It's kind of a long story - three books worth in fact - but, basically, she was the result of a brief but fiery romance between her father, the former king, and her mother who was her father's general at the time. This was all well and good and they might even have wed, had things been different. Unfortunately, her father was betrothed to another and had been since before he was born and he couldn't marry another without abdicating his throne. Which he might have done if his kingdom hadn't been in the middle of what would turn out to be a decade long war. So she was mainly raised by her mother, though she saw her father on a semi-regular basis and, if things weren't perfect, they were at least fairly happy and even her step-mother came to love her.
Unfortunately, the day she turned 12, her parents sent her away to a nearby, neutral kingdom to save her from the siege that would end the war. While her father's kingdom withstood the siege, she settled in this new kingdom and made a life of her own. She was trained as a farrier and met and fell in love with the girl who would eventually become her wife. She would have happily spent the rest of her life there, too, but her father was killed in a second war years later, which she failed to stop, and her step-mother died in a third war not long after. This left her and her nine-year-old half-sister as the only two surviving members of the royal family. By this point she was known to the people of her father's kingdom for having fought in several battles on their behalf, and for her involvement in raising her sister. So she got the crown and full custody of the child because there was really nobody else left who could to either job.
Poly's such a fascinating kit, I'm sure the two of them could have a lot of fun talking over old adventures, though Ciara would be more than happy to do most of the listening. She's hardly ever left the country where she was born, never mind visiting other worlds!
*Hugs from us both.* As for the "at least a" well who knows? There might be snacks, too! (But sorry about that. I know this whole fandom thing is more or less built on hug, and other forms of physical affection, but I'm always a bit shy of such things until I know how someone feels about them. I don't want to be that creep.)
It's kind of a long story - three books worth in fact - but, basically, she was the result of a brie
*nodnods, listening close!* It sounds like a story with a lot of heartbreak. I don't know if Poly would truly understand it, to be honest, but she'd listen close all the same! She'd also do her best to keep from making any more trouble for the poor Queen!
*smiles* I'm really glad you think so~! Is there anything you like the most about Poly? Or anything you don't like? And talking adventures would be a lot of fun, but Poly would want to hear too! Just because you haven't ranged far doesn't mean you don't have stories to tell~! But Poly will love to talk about all the various things she's seen and done, too!
*hugs tightly and nodnods, before grinning some. "Snacks sound good! Maybe sugarwater? (Poly's favorite drink, the syrup is effectively supersaturated sugar with sweeteners~!) Oh, you probably don't have any here! Here, try mine~!"
/* It's completely fine! Yeah, it is, and I always feel nervous about hugging someone too. At the same time, just getting to hug someone is nice... (Also, for some reason, just the way you said built on hug.. now I can't help but think of hug as some kind of currency. Maybe it is, somewhere. Physical affection as a commodity... sounds dystopic. Sounds like an interesting setting! */
*nodnods, listening close!* It sounds like a story with a lot of heartbreak. I don't know if Poly
Yeah, I suppose it does, especially boiled down like that. But on the bright side she has a family that loves her, and she and her wife together have managed to more or less unite two of the most powerful kingdoms in her world, putting an end to a lot of the fighting that used to go on. So there are definite bright spots to her life as well. I know Ciara would appreciate Poly listening to her story and trying to stay out of trouble. Though she wouldn't begrudge the pup a little fun, either.
She'd be more than happy to tell Poly about her life, too, of course. She might not have traveled as far, but she did have a pretty adventurous youth. Her homeland has plenty of forests and wild places to explore, and let's just say that the local bandit population quickly learned which fox pup they shouldn't pick on!
As for Poly, I think what I particularly like about her is that she not only has an adventurous spirit and a very keen mind, but a kind heart as well. However much trouble she might get her friends into sometimes, she seems like someone who would make a really good friend, too. On the flip side, I can't think of anything I actually dislike about her. She's an interesting girl, and she and her world seem really well thought out and developed.
Oh my. That sounds like an interesting drink indeed! I don't think such a thing exists in Ciara's world, but I have a feeling that it would be popular, certainly among the younger generation. It would certainly make a change from tea and wine!
A world where affection is used as currency does sound interesting. Not, perhaps, the happiest place on earth. Or perhaps one where only happiness is allowed, which might be even worse. But I think it would be an interesting idea to play with! Fortunately, though, Ciara's affections don't come with a price.
Yeah, I suppose it does, especially boiled down like that. But on the bright side she has a family t
*nodnods, and hugs a bit tighter* That's good that it sounds like a happy ending, at least. Poly would understand that! And just a little fun, yes. Just a little trouble~! No making off with the crown. At least, not without giving it back!
Mm, Poly would love to listen! Hearing about other adventures is always great fun, and it sounds like she was as close to a wanderfoot as her world had when she was young~! Exploring the forest sounds magical.. although bandits! It's good to hear they learned that they shouldn't pick on poor Ciara. Poly might ask if she had any stuffed animals from that time, though~!
*blushes some* Mm... I don't know. Poly tries her best to be good, but she's not really sure if she is. She wants to be kind, but she can be cruel and capricious sometimes. She's typically pretty good to those she knows, though! She's not emotionally mature, really. She's also a citizen of the Endless Empire, so... well, an immortal life that's geared towards being free of permanent external consequences doesn't lend itself well to raising especially stable individuals, I think. I think she'd make a great, loyal friend, and she'd always close ranks with you against something else, but... I think you'd always have to be a bit nervous around her. I think that's systemic to wanderfoots, though. She can be a liar, a thief, an arsonist, or worse... all if she thinks it'll make a good story.
I don't know, I just don't want Poly to be perfect. She has plenty of flaws, maybe moreso than most (Or she wouldn't be a cub, or a wanderfoot). She does plenty of things, especially in the moment, that she regrets. But part of it is being able to pick yourself up and move on. She doesn't cause suffering for the sake of suffering, and she'll do her best to help people because she likes doing it. She knows what it's like to curl up in a corner, and just want to cry forever. She doesn't want to see other people like that, and she'll help if she can... but I guess she can cause it sometimes without thinking. To be the perfect angel, some sin must be done...
*blushes a bit more* Still like her? I'm glad that you think her and her world are well thought out and developed! Does that description make sense? I suppose some parts of her are still being sketched in some, but I want her to be well-rounded. Plus it feels weird sometimes talking about her, as she's also a reflection of me, I suppose. (Pronouns feel weird especially.)
As for sugarwater.. Poly thinks it's the peak of drinks, the top of the tech tree, as it were. She'd simply insist that Ciara get to try it~! If only because she liked the initial expression from people who hadn't tried it before. Poly's never liked anything that's an acquired taste, but maybe pure sugar is almost acquired as well.
As for that idea... I do like it. I might actually get a picture of that. It might be interesting if it was taxed, instead of a straight payment. Having to pay to hug someone! Illicit cuddle parties, not even sex, but where you just get to rub your cheek against someone else and hold them...
*nodnods, and hugs a bit tighter* That's good that it sounds like a happy ending, at least. Poly w
No, no stealing the crown. But Ciara might let her try it on if she wants. Ciara rarely ever wears it except on state occasions anyway. She likes to be ready to spring into action at a moment's notice if need be, and crowns are heavy.
*Grin* I think Ciara might be a little bit confused about the stuffed animal thing. She had some when she was a pup, but the way she got them was quite different. She was pretty lucky in that respect, I suppose.
Well, she is pretty young, which I think can excuse a degree of capriciousness. And if she lives in a world where permanent consequences are unlikely, then I think it's perhaps understandable that she doesn't approach things the same way someone under different circumstances would. But I think that's part of what makes her interesting and I think she's still more a decent person than not.
I completely understand about not wanting her to be perfect, though. Perfect characters are boring, and I think that even people with the best of intentions will always have their flaws. Since we've been talking about her, Ciara isn't perfect, either. She's never committed arson, and what theft she's committed has mostly been on the order of stealing sweets from the kitchen when she was a pup. Or, I guess if you want to get technical, breaking prisoners out of an enemy camp. But she can be impulsive and hot-headed and maybe a little bit selfish as well. Her first real adventure was an attempt to stop war between what was then her father's kingdom and its oldest rival, which she got involved in mostly because it threatened to damage the home she'd made for herself. When she finally met the person who killed her father, she might have murdered him in cold blood if not some well timed advice from her friends and allies. All of which is to say that I don't think a character has to be a saint to be likable. While you may be right that anyone who's friends with Poly might be a little on edge, not knowing what sort of situations they might find themselves in next, I don't think that makes her any less likable or sympathetic. On the contrary, it just makes her all the more believable. So yes, I do still like her, very much.
I know about feeling a bit odd talking about your avatar, and the whole pronoun thing. While I think that Megan has become more her own character than I had intended, she's still something of a reflection of me and I tend to flip between talking about her as her own being and going back to using personal pronouns. I'm more than happy to use whichever you're most comfortable with though.
Ciara is always happy to try new things. I don't know what sort of effect pure sugar might have on her, though, since it's not the most widely available substance in her world. She has almost limitless reserves of energy already, so pure sugar might require some reworking of the physical laws of the universe!
I have a feeling that you could turn it into a really cute picture and I'd love to see it if you do! I like the idea of cuddle parties, too. That's something I think Ciara might like a lot!
No, no stealing the crown. But Ciara might let her try it on if she wants. Ciara rarely ever wears i
*giggles* But it's so shinyyyy~! And Poly has a collection! But fineeee... She'll have to settle just getting to try it on! I'm sure she'll look very regal in it ^^. Poly would probably argue that Ciara should wear it more! She needs to inspire her subjects~!
Poly would just grin some and nod~! Or maybe a comment along how good of a fighter the queen must have been to never have any~! Maybe the latter... ^^ just to be a bit more confusing~! It's good that she was lucky in that way, though!
*nodnods* I think so, and yeah. There's a certain degree of 'pressure' from society to consider consequences, but part of being a wanderfoot is realizing there's not really. Part of growing up is realizing there is some. I'm glad you think it makes her interestng, and yay ^^ She tries~!
Thank you ^^. I know, even when Poly has the best of intentions things often go pear shaped too! And heh. Really? Poly would have expected a little bit more naughtiness during her adventures, or abuse of power as a Queen... :P But maybe that's just Poly projecting! But *nodnods* That makes sense, as to her motivations. I'm glad you still like her ^^ *hugs again~!*
Yeah... I don't know what Poly started out as, really. Besides the fact I've had her for as long as I can remember (long before I had art of her~!)
Trying new things is the best, as long as you think you'll like them. Poly is very adament about that. You should only leave your comfort zone if you're relativity sure that you're merely annexing a larger comfort zone. Poly would like to see what would happen, though! Maybe she can coax the Queen into an adventure!
Mm, I'll try~! Maybe a short comic... I wonder how many people would be interested in something not lewd, though :P
*giggles* But it's so shinyyyy~! And Poly has a collection! But fineeee... She'll have to settle
*Grins* Oh, I understand. It's hard to want to give something like that back! And a collection! Poly's been a busy girl! And maybe Ciara will wear it more, once she's gotten used to the whole idea of being queen. It's all still pretty new to her.
Heh, part good fighter and part really good at running away. Since she's half swift fox, there aren't a lot of people who can really keep up with her. To be fair, the fact that her father was a king and her mother is a famous general, and both would have happily razed every bandit settlement to ashes if anything happened to their daughter likely helped more than Ciara is exactly willing to admit.
I suppose every society does tend to try to impose certain limitations on its citizens. Some might even argue that that's the primary purpose of civilization, to help people learn to live together and to squelch the worst of their baser instincts. Given what we've seen of Poly's life, though, I can't exactly blame her for wanting to push against those limits sometimes, too. When you bounce from place to place so much, I think it would be hard to want to conform to all of those different rules when you're not going to be there too long. But, on the whole, I think she does a pretty good job of being a good person and, as I recall, even the worst thing she's done hasn't been all that bad in the grand scheme of things. Even when it does end up with some sort of security force chasing after her!
Well, Ciara has only been queen for about a year, and besides trying to adjust to the rigors of the job she has her younger sister to raise. And a young daughter, too, come to that. So she hasn't had a lot of time for mischief, and anyway there's no thrill in defying authority when you ARE that authority. But I'm sure she'll find the time to have some fun even so. As for her adventures beforehand, I think her wife had a gentling influence on her to keep her out of the worst trouble. Niamh always has been the more level-headed of the two of them.
I can say kind of the same about Ciara. I've had her since I was 19 or so, and she has changed so much from what she was way back then. But I think she has changed for the better, and it's interesting to see how characters can grown and change over that long a time. I think it's really neat that you've had Poly for so long, and I imagine that's a part of why she's such a strong character. If they stick with you that long, they're bound to mean something to you.
I have a feeling she wouldn't have to work too awfully hard to coax Ciara into an adventure. At this point, she'd probably go just to get away from all those courtiers and bodyguards who try to mother her and keep her safe! Besides which, she has a nice, safe castle they can hide out in if things do go wrong, which makes it all the more tempting!
I think a short comic would be fun to see. And I have a feeling that there would probably be more people than you'd think who'd enjoy such a thing, especially with a good story behind it. Which I know you could do!
*Grins* Oh, I understand. It's hard to want to give something like that back! And a collection! Poly
Heh. I know, so hard~! Poly might hold onto it for just a little longer when asked to give it back, but she's trying her best to be a good guest, so she will~! And yes, she has! She tends to collect things she... comes across. And that makes sense.
Mm, flight IS typically better than fight, yes! It helps to be able to fight if your back gets into a corner, but Poly knows the benefits of being fleet of foot, certainly! Having your parents reputation as an aegis sounds nice... but if Ciara isn't willing to admit it, Poly's going to tease her about it~! As long as it doesn't hit the quick, that is.
I think so, but the Endless Empire is somewhat weird in that there's this hybrid of trying to have no consequences for anything, but at the same time trying to keep a stable government. That's why there's so much socitial pressure, but at the same time perhaps you see so many people giving into their baser instincts. I think you have a pretty good idea for why she pushes rules a lot of times, and why she's not happy to conform to all of them~! and yay~! Mmm.. I suppose not, really. Nothing that bad in the grand scheme of things. Nothing that's really more than inconvenience for an immortal. If a very annoying inconvenience...
Makes sense~! I imagine that being a good Queen is a lot of work. Being a bad one is probably a lot easier, but it definitely doesn't sound like Ciara is one to take the easy way out. But you should always have time for mischief~! The fact that she is the authority now is kind of an issue on that front, though. I'm sure she could and will find some fun, though~!
*nodnods~!* I think they grow with us, and hopefully for the better~! Out of curiosity, what was she like at the beginning? And thanks ^^ Yeah, she does mean a lot to me.
Mmm.. maybe part of the first adventure will be sneaking out without the bodyguards noticing~! And hopefully they wouldn't need to... but having a place to run to is always a good backup plan.
Maybe... I'll think about it a bit more, maybe sketch a story out for a comic~! Would Ciara want to attend?
Heh. I know, so hard~! Poly might hold onto it for just a little longer when asked to give it back
To be honest, she might not be quite so concerned about the crown if it hadn't been her father's. She doesn't care too much for gold and jewelry, but she does have quite a sentimental streak.
A little gentle teasing is fine. She and her wife tease each other all the time, and she and her mother are even worse about it! Anyway, she's pretty proud of her parents and would probably just boast about how badass they are.
If the Empire is comprised of so many different worlds, all of which have varying and sometimes even wildly conflicting values and social norms, it's no wonder it's kind of a strange place when viewed from our own reality. And no wonder, really, why its citizens can sometimes be equally weird. But the people there are immortal and things aren't really more than an inconvenience, however annoying they might sometimes be, that leaves a lot of wiggle room to play around with things, too. It really does seem like a fascinating place.
I have a feeling that being a bad queen would be a lot easier than being a good one. But you're right that she doesn't take the easy way out of things, and she does genuinely care for her people. She's also enough of a historian to know what often happens to monarchs who abuse their subjects, and isn't too keen on being on the wrong end of a coup d'état. I think she feels a keen sense of responsibility for the kingdom as well. It was her ancestor who founded it, and her family has ruled there for generations, so she may feel she needs to give a little back. Particularly since not all of the monarchs who came before her were very nice. You're right, though, that one should always find the time for a little mischief and fun, and I know she'd agree with you, too.
It has been so long, it's hard to really remember all the details of what she was like before. But she actually started out human, before I changed her into a fox, and while she was always related to royalty she was much more your standard rebellious princess when I first made her. Definitely much more of a cliche, but I guess that's one of the stumbling blocks when you first start out. She wandered around with a winged mare and got into all kinds of adventures. Part of which stays with her today, since she is both quite fond of horses and very good at caring for them. At least the feral/quadrupedal ones. Anthro horses can probably take care of themselves.
If Poly could help her sneak out without the guards noticing, I think she'd reward the girl with just about anything she wanted. Maybe even a dukedom! They mean well, but she doesn't like having so many people looking over her shoulder, even if they're there to protect her.
I think she'd certainly enjoy that! She does like giving hugs, and getting them, especially from sweet girls.
To be honest, she might not be quite so concerned about the crown if it hadn't been her father's. Sh
*nodnods* That makes sense. Poly has one of the same streaks, I think~! It's why she collects things. Shinies, records, stuffed animals...
Mm, Poly would probably tease, then~! And heh. She'd maybe be a little jealous, but oh well!
*nodnods again* Mm, it is! So many, and then so many more beyond that! You don't tend to see worlds that are polar opposites beside each other, but for every world it has an opposite, that's for sure! Moving between them can sometimes give you pretty good culture shock, but you get used to it and roll with it! But yeah, the citizens in it can be pretty weird because of it. But yeah, there's really only inconveniences, and the Storytellers do their best to make sure the inconveniences aren't even that bad. I like the setting a lot, and I think it has the golden position of a world in that difference between utopia and dystopia is perspective.
Her people are very lucky to have a queen who genuinely cares for them. And heh. Do mind the fact that coups can occur even against good queens! Feeling responsibility for the kingdom is good too, but she shouldn't let too much weight be put on her shoulders from the acts of her ancestors.
That's fair. You're both lucky to have had each other for so long~! Maybe she's a bit more lucky, though :P
Oh, a dukedom~! Poly loves collecting titles more than shinies! She'll have to help, now! After they get away, though, she hopes Ciara won't mind that Poly made it look like the Queen had been kidnapped, just for a bit of fun.
Yay~!
*nodnods* That makes sense. Poly has one of the same streaks, I think~! It's why she collects thi
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