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rainbowfic2014-10-02 06:58 pm
kay_brooke) wrote in rainbowfic2014-10-02 06:58 pm
Alien Green #1, Or #20
Name: kay_brooke
Story: The Myrrosta
Colors: Alien Green #1 (I'm not going to ask you if you just said what I think you just said because I know it's what you just said), Or #20 (Sympathy)
Styles/Supplies: Canvas, Oils (dailyprompt prompt "be careful what you wish for")
Word Count: 775
Rating/Warnings: PG-13; no standard warnings apply
Summary: Jay's new assignment.
Notes: Constructive criticism is welcome, either through comments or PM.
Jay couldn’t keep the sour look off her face, no matter how hard she tried.
She didn’t try very hard.
The girl across from her, no older than Jay herself and her back straight as an iron rod, sniffed. “You’re very young to be part of the Sun Guard.”
Remember who you are talking to, Jay reminded herself harshly before taking a deep breath and answering. “I went through initiation a year ago, your Highness.”
“So not much experience, then.” The girl--no, the heir, and not at all like what Jay had pictured--said, sliding down in her chair and crossing her arms over her chest.
“Experience enough.” Who did the princess think she was, to question Jay’s abilities? The ones who mattered, the other Sun Guard and the Nikolean priestesses, had all bestowed the honor of initiation upon her. The black sun graced the left side of her face, right along the cheekbone. She wore the brown robes. She carried her weapons in a belt designed specifically to her size and shape. She was as much a member of the Sun Guard as the most grizzled veteran, and probably a better fighter, too. “My duty is to protect you, and, the gods forbid, should you ever find yourself in need of it, you will not be disappointed.”
Princess Komay waved one hand dismissively. “I’ve heard the honor code, so don’t you start in on that. All that talk of sacrifice and my safety being utmost, it’s embarrassing.”
“Your safety is of utmost importance,” said Jay. “You are the heir.” The words almost stuck in her throat.
“For now,” said the princess, slouching even further into her chair.
Jay clasped her hands behind her back and remained silent. She had wanted nothing more than to serve as a personal guard to the royal family, and she had indeed been assigned to do so, as punishment for a recent act of insubordination. She hadn’t even finished laughing at her punishment being exactly what she wanted when she realized it was not, in fact, the empress she would be guarding, but the empress’s wayward eldest daughter. Heir to the throne, unless of course she failed to produce her own heir. Princess Komay had three younger sisters, the next oldest one of which was nearly ready to birth her first child. If Komay didn’t have children of her own by the time the empress passed, the High Councilors would displace her with her younger sister. It was the only way to ensure an unbroken royal line.
Jay did not appreciate that her assignment had turned into babysitting a surly young woman who may not even become empress some day. It was an insult to her skills and her ambition.
And a punishment indeed.
“Well?” the princess snapped. “Aren’t you going to say coddling things, tell me of course I’ll have children soon, I’m still very young and my mother is in good health, and there is nothing to worry about?”
“No,” said Jay. “I protect. I do not coddle.” After a moment too long, she added, “Your Highness.”
Princess Komay narrowed her eyes at her. “You’re impertinent. You must be the one I heard of, the one who threatened the Arkijti ambassador last month.”
Jay stared straight ahead.
“Well?” the princess demanded. “Was that you?”
“Yes.” Through clenched teeth.
A long silence, and then, “Good.”
Jay blinked. “Your Highness?”
“The man needed to be taught some manners.” The princess sniffed and straightened up. “It would be beyond inappropriate for my mother or I to say what we were thinking to his face, but I’m glad someone did.”
“It was not appropriate for me, either.” That was how she had ended up here.
“Better you than anyone else,” said the princess. “The Sun Guard are accorded certain freedoms the rest of us don’t have. Let the ambassador stew on your words; perhaps he’ll be too afraid to come back and bore us all with pointless talk of treaties again.”
Jay’s irritation was slowly beginning to ebb away. The princess was a snot, it was true, but her thoughts seemed to match Jay’s own, and that was something a little exhilarating and terrifying.
“Do you agree?” asked the princess.
“I know nothing of treaties,” said Jay carefully. “But I will agree if you wish it.”
The princess cocked her head at Jay and regarded her for a long time. “I won’t make you say it,” she finally said. “But I think I know your mind.” She sat back again, as if satisfied.
“Yes, your Highness,” said Jay, and thought maybe this wasn’t so much punishment after all.
kay_brookeStory: The Myrrosta
Colors: Alien Green #1 (I'm not going to ask you if you just said what I think you just said because I know it's what you just said), Or #20 (Sympathy)
Styles/Supplies: Canvas, Oils (
dailyprompt prompt "be careful what you wish for")Word Count: 775
Rating/Warnings: PG-13; no standard warnings apply
Summary: Jay's new assignment.
Notes: Constructive criticism is welcome, either through comments or PM.
Jay couldn’t keep the sour look off her face, no matter how hard she tried.
She didn’t try very hard.
The girl across from her, no older than Jay herself and her back straight as an iron rod, sniffed. “You’re very young to be part of the Sun Guard.”
Remember who you are talking to, Jay reminded herself harshly before taking a deep breath and answering. “I went through initiation a year ago, your Highness.”
“So not much experience, then.” The girl--no, the heir, and not at all like what Jay had pictured--said, sliding down in her chair and crossing her arms over her chest.
“Experience enough.” Who did the princess think she was, to question Jay’s abilities? The ones who mattered, the other Sun Guard and the Nikolean priestesses, had all bestowed the honor of initiation upon her. The black sun graced the left side of her face, right along the cheekbone. She wore the brown robes. She carried her weapons in a belt designed specifically to her size and shape. She was as much a member of the Sun Guard as the most grizzled veteran, and probably a better fighter, too. “My duty is to protect you, and, the gods forbid, should you ever find yourself in need of it, you will not be disappointed.”
Princess Komay waved one hand dismissively. “I’ve heard the honor code, so don’t you start in on that. All that talk of sacrifice and my safety being utmost, it’s embarrassing.”
“Your safety is of utmost importance,” said Jay. “You are the heir.” The words almost stuck in her throat.
“For now,” said the princess, slouching even further into her chair.
Jay clasped her hands behind her back and remained silent. She had wanted nothing more than to serve as a personal guard to the royal family, and she had indeed been assigned to do so, as punishment for a recent act of insubordination. She hadn’t even finished laughing at her punishment being exactly what she wanted when she realized it was not, in fact, the empress she would be guarding, but the empress’s wayward eldest daughter. Heir to the throne, unless of course she failed to produce her own heir. Princess Komay had three younger sisters, the next oldest one of which was nearly ready to birth her first child. If Komay didn’t have children of her own by the time the empress passed, the High Councilors would displace her with her younger sister. It was the only way to ensure an unbroken royal line.
Jay did not appreciate that her assignment had turned into babysitting a surly young woman who may not even become empress some day. It was an insult to her skills and her ambition.
And a punishment indeed.
“Well?” the princess snapped. “Aren’t you going to say coddling things, tell me of course I’ll have children soon, I’m still very young and my mother is in good health, and there is nothing to worry about?”
“No,” said Jay. “I protect. I do not coddle.” After a moment too long, she added, “Your Highness.”
Princess Komay narrowed her eyes at her. “You’re impertinent. You must be the one I heard of, the one who threatened the Arkijti ambassador last month.”
Jay stared straight ahead.
“Well?” the princess demanded. “Was that you?”
“Yes.” Through clenched teeth.
A long silence, and then, “Good.”
Jay blinked. “Your Highness?”
“The man needed to be taught some manners.” The princess sniffed and straightened up. “It would be beyond inappropriate for my mother or I to say what we were thinking to his face, but I’m glad someone did.”
“It was not appropriate for me, either.” That was how she had ended up here.
“Better you than anyone else,” said the princess. “The Sun Guard are accorded certain freedoms the rest of us don’t have. Let the ambassador stew on your words; perhaps he’ll be too afraid to come back and bore us all with pointless talk of treaties again.”
Jay’s irritation was slowly beginning to ebb away. The princess was a snot, it was true, but her thoughts seemed to match Jay’s own, and that was something a little exhilarating and terrifying.
“Do you agree?” asked the princess.
“I know nothing of treaties,” said Jay carefully. “But I will agree if you wish it.”
The princess cocked her head at Jay and regarded her for a long time. “I won’t make you say it,” she finally said. “But I think I know your mind.” She sat back again, as if satisfied.
“Yes, your Highness,” said Jay, and thought maybe this wasn’t so much punishment after all.
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