[Event] La princesse impériale

[innocent_royal]

(Action - closed, Open to Satsuki)

[It was the early morning, around 8:00, when Anastasia was awake and starting her day. Breakfast was already eaten, she was already dressed cutesy for today, and just doing the final touches of her hair, tying it up in a ponytail secured with a blue ribbon.

And this is when one of her Pokémon comes skipping in. Sylveon, prancing around happily with a odd mask in its feelers.]

Sylvie? What is that you have there?
Sylvie~

[Sylveon holds the mask out, but yanks it away as Anastasia reached in.]

Don't be that way. Give it here, Sylvie. Let mommy see it.

[Sylveon danced around Anastasia, not letting the girl have the mask. After a moment longer, Sylveon pats the mask on Anastasia's face. In a near instant, Anastasia fell to her knees, hands on her face. So many weird and unfamiliar feelings come forth, and take their place in normality.

Anastasia felt fine now, getting back to her feet and looked around, recollecting what she was doing. She looked at the frightened Sylveon, and gently petted its head.]

Bonne fille. Allez jouer maintenant.

[Glancing at her vanity mirror... That frilly skirt and bunny-print tee-shirt was unbecoming of an Imperial Princess, but whatever. She's supposed to look good without going too far. But for the moment, she'll look over herself, a girl on the edge of adult. A teenager, she was. Not a girl, but not yet a woman. She spots and picked up a sheet of paper off the desk, it was a shopping list. Was she supposed to go errand running? Who the hell would make her run errands like a servant girl?

Anastasia crumpled up the paper and tossed it aside. She grabbed her rapier, Nebula, from her closet, put on some ankle boots and confidently makes her exit from Satsuki's apartment.]

(Holodeck'd Action - Open to All)

[Anastasia made her way to the Holodeck'd. It's been awhile since she has been here. It will be good to cut loose and unleash the might of the Empire through her sword and spirit.

After booking a room, she chose her program based on what monsters she felt like fighting. A mob of axe-wielding gnolls ought to be a good fit. Taking her spot on the floor, the program started.

Trained by her hero emperor of a father, it was just a simple thrust and stroke of her blade to dispatch any of the digital dog-men that dared approach. After eight of them, it was done. And she was sorely disappointed.]

"Do you wish to continue from a relevant selection?"
Yes. And surprise me.

[The scene changed to a new arena. Anastasia's new opponent was a armored, axe-wielding lizard man easily twice her size.]

Huh... I'll admit. I regret not procuring a battle dress for this. No matter. Come at me, fiend! I'll leave you begging for death!

[She won't be able to handle this one alone, especially since the difficulty is set well above her skill level.]

(Nova City Action - Open to All)

[The only way to put herself back into a good mood is to go shopping. Recklessly spending her allowance on cute clothes and jewelry and taking a casual break at a café around Nova City. Sitting alone at a table, a little cup of ice cream in front of her, and atleast three shopping bags by her chair. She was staring towards the wall with a bored expression.]

How is it only one in the afternoon? Monde stupide, not providing enough venues of entertainment for my age range.

[Anastasia takes a bite of her ice cream...]

I suppose I could go to Fayren and look for a battle dress, then maybe take on real opponents in Attleton's Colosseum?

...Maybe I'll go to a spa. Yes, a spa would be a much better idea.

[She'll just wistfully talk to herself for now. Unaware that there may be someone listening to her for whatever reason.]

Comments

[Holodeck'd]

[notquitedracula]

[In the months since the first time Soma had ever set foot in Holodeck'd, he'd made a habit of popping in at least once a week for a bit of a workout. Having a space he could cut loose in without worrying about things like collateral damage was a serious bonus.]

[Which is why he shows up there about the time Ana finishes off the first creatures - gnolls? He says nothing as she continues her program, quirking a brow at her attitude. She certainly sounds more confident than before - has she been practicing, too?]

[innocent_royal]

[Unaware of a spectator, Anastasia stays focused on the high-difficulty opponent. It rushed at her at speeds she wasn't quite expecting, bit her own reflexes were just as quick.

Her parry knocked it off balance as she pivoted around to get in range of its undefended side. With a quick slash, there was a bolt of energy which flew from her rapier and impacted the beast with a flash. She stepped in closer to one, two, three stabs, then a flurry of incredibly high-speed stabs that dotted holes in the soft side-belly.

The realistic creature had enough. It swung its axe around at her and she parried, but it was such a hard blow that it was her getting pushed away and losing her balance. It turned and leapt at her, combining its body weight and the weight of the axe into the drop aimed right at her.

She probably will not be able to move in time!]

[notquitedracula]

[Soma's eyes widen at the display of blade-oriented skills Ana's displaying, especially since it wasn't so very long ago she said she couldn't do that, anymore. And then they narrow, when the creature just flat out overpowers her. No. Not on his watch.]

[Time slows to a stop with the axe on its downward plunge. Every mote of energy, every speck of matter in the room ceases to move - except for those composing Soma's body and equipment.]

[Five seconds isn't a lot of time, when you're halfway across a football field from the person you're trying to save. Black Panther's soul was the only way he could cover the distance in time, at least without using Chronomage's soul a second time. No time to be picky. Along the way he draws a broadsword - Kaladbolg. Needless to say, the Hill Cleaver has no trouble stopping a mere mortal axe. He manages to get it into position to stop the lizardman's blow, and even gets in a good glare into the bargain, as time finally starts moving again.]

[innocent_royal]

[She didn't feel a thing as something strange appears. She has no time to question the man right now. She was too focused to even recognize him. She side steps and moves in with another flurry of stabs with inhuman speed. Immediately after the final sixth stab, she stepped forward, shoving the beast with her sword arm and slashed up with all her might, hitting the monster away with a visible force that roared, sending it away and popping like a digital balloon, and the program was over.

After a moment for the adrenaline to subside, she sheathed Nebula and turned to a man she now recognised. She was such a fierce young woman of warrior, and yet dressed like a younger girl. Embarrassing, somewhat. She smiles slightly.]

It's not like you to come to my rescue, Lord Soma. Did you get bored playing back-up?

[notquitedracula]

[He frowns, very slightly. She's displaying abilities she didn't have before - not just the ability to channel magic through her blade, but the basic swordplay itself. Something feels way, way off about this whole thing.]

[...Not least the fact that she seems older now.]

What's this 'lord' stuff about? I've told you before, it's just Soma. [He offers a slight smile to cut the sting from the otherwise aggressive words.]

You're improving, and quickly. You almost looked like an entirely different person, fighting that thing.

[innocent_royal]

[Even her smile fades to a frown as she crosses her arms.]

What has gotten into you? You've always insisted on being "Lord" Soma. And I've been as strong as I've always been.

[notquitedracula]

[Now he's genuinely puzzled.]

Anya, I don't know who you've gotten me confused with, but even if I had a legitimate claim to that title, I wouldn't insist on anyone using it, much less my very few friends.

[innocent_royal]

[Her eyes narrowed some at this response.

Second of all, "Anya?"]

Soma... What is my full name and title?

[notquitedracula]

Princess Anastasia Leonheart, if I remember correctly. And do you remember mine?

[Suspicion is starting to set in. Please, no, don't let this be something irreversible...]

[innocent_royal]

[He barely got half of it correct. Or rather, he only got half of it.]

I am Her Imperial Highness, Princess Anastasia Kitty Leonheart of the Great Nivian Holy Empire.

And you, as I had known, are Soma Cruz, Lord of Castlevania.

[notquitedracula]

[Oh, great. Vlad was going to LOVE that one.]

Soma Cruz is indeed my name, but I am no lord, of Castlevania or anything else. The castle's master's name is Vlad Tepes.

[He sighs, and folds his arms. This... was not going to be pleasant. He has few enough friends already, having one of them replaced with ... some odd alter-ego was going to be vexing at the least.]

One or the other of us has been altered. I'm not sure which, or how, but if I had to guess, something to do with the magics that operate in this place must have done it. What can you tell me of this other Soma?

[innocent_royal]

[She relaxed her arms, resting a hand on her hip.]

The "other" Soma, my Soma, I suppose you could say, is as cruel or as compassionate as he needs to be.

He and I are somewhat close, often working together when our Genessia behaved oddly, or to undermine the city guardians for kicks. Give it a few years, he may even offer to make me his Queen. If we're both certain it's worth the trouble, that is.

[She paused.]

That's the brief summary. So what about you? There must be another "me" if you're so casual with me.

[notquitedracula]

[Cruel? Now he's certain of it. There's something very, very wrong here.]

His QUEEN?! [Congratulations, Ana, you've broken him.]

[It takes him a few moments to stop spluttering, and a few more for the blush to fade.]

The Anya I know is trapped in the body of a preadolescent girl. She is kind and dutiful, a bit sad, and very loyal. She and I have been friends since the first time we met; we have immortality in common, and neither of us can afford the emotional entanglements inherent in a relationship. Besides which... as I said, she's frozen at about twelve years old. I'd never even considered the possibility of romantic attraction until Satsuki told us what we looked like from the outside.

[innocent_royal]

No doubt, you'd look like a total creeper. Even the less reputable of men back home knew better than even look at me when I was that age. Despite it being just a two year difference, they'd have trouble not looking now.

[She would ask if he agrees, but she doesn't care what this Soma thinks.]

But why would the other me be sad? Wealth, power, luxury, beauty and immortality?

[notquitedracula]

Probably because her country was nearly destroyed, and she was turned into a weapon by the goddesses she and her people worship. [His voice is quiet, somber even. He's looking her dead in the eye the entire time.]

Wealth enough to bury her people. Power enough to destroy a city. Beauty frozen at an age where she can never enjoy its benefits. And immortality is no blessing. Watching those you care for grow old and die while you remain, forever unchanging? I can't think of a blacker curse.

[innocent_royal]

[It was a like a dagger in her heart. The Great Nivian Holy Empire, destroyed? How easily it could have been her own reality.]

That is...some hellish existence. I don't envy the other me one bit. But if her reign wasn't strong enough to prevent Nivia's destruction, perhaps she deserved it.

We saw the signs of a possible uprising. And we destroyed every little chance for a spark to ignite. That's what makes my reality superior in every possible way.

[notquitedracula]

The kingdom wasn't overthrown by people. It was destroyed by monsters - the undead, among others - and then invaded by her ancestral enemies. No one could have predicted that, much less prevented it, no matter how much blood they shed.

[He sighs, and folds his arms.] There seems little point in arguing the fine points. You look and sound like her, but you are not the Anya I know, albeit slightly older. That doesn't mean we cannot still be friends.

[innocent_royal]

[So the other her was from a Kingdom, not an Empire. Interesting.]

I suppose I won't object. Just as long as, you know, don't bite my neck or anything.

[notquitedracula]

I don't drink blood, so there's no danger of that.

[He's almost doing this as much to keep an eye on her as to simply... continue being her friend. He has a feeling that she's still Anya in there, even if things have changed.]

So. Since you're here blowing off steam already, would you like to join me for my usual program?

[innocent_royal]

[Somehow, she doubts that. She unsheathes Nebula and keeps it at rest.]

I may as well. It will give me an opportunity to see how alike you are to the Lord Soma I know.

[Action]

[weavemyownfate]

[Satsuki has long since started her day, though it's been a bit of a rough one as the regulars seemed pretty perplexed with her own change, outfit and all.

However it's not Anastasia's lucky day it'd seem, since Satsuki's had to run back home.]

Shit shit shit, can't believe I forgot my badge!

[The moment the blonde steps out from the apartement, there's Satsuki who stops just short from busting inside. She blinks several times, then raises a brow.]

... Aah?

[Then a grin.]

Oh, hey, doing the errands early for once, huh? Thatta girl.

Re: [Action]

[innocent_royal]

[Anastasia almost flinched at the sudden appearance of her roommate, but then gave a annoyed diva huff.]

Errands? As if. I told you before - I'm no servant girl. I'm going to hone my skills.

[She emphasizes this by holding up a sheathed Nebula.]

And you forgot something again, didn't you?

[Action]

[weavemyownfate]

... You did?

[Satsuki doesn't appear to recall that, but once she's accused of having forgotten something yet again, she leans back a bit in surprise, her cheeks flush red.]

Wh- What?! I didn't forget nothin', why do you gotta ask that like I'm Ted or somethin'?? Give me a break...

Anyway it ain't about bein' a servant girl; you can't get through everything in life by kickin' it's ass you know? You gotta expand your skills.

[Action]

[innocent_royal]

[She did. Well, maybe not in her face, but she definitely thought it.]

Oh please. That fool is lowly deviant not worth any mentioning.

And that may be, but it makes life simpler without people thinking I'm easy.

[She sighs and gives her hair a little diva flip.]

I suppose if you really want me to, I'll run the stupid errands. And maybe if I feel like it, I'll cook for us as well.

[notquitedracula]

[Well, it's the truth. For now. Way things are going it may change in the near future, though. Soma draws his own blade - Kaladbolg again - and speaks to the computer.]

Computer, execute program Cruz Three. Aggression level four. End conditions are verbal override, unconsciousness, or completion. Give us a five count before program start.

[The computer obliges by dropping a video screen into the middle of the arena, with a slow five count ticking down.]

Stay near me, and keep your eyes open. Attacks will come from every direction - be ready to dodge.

[When the timer hits zero, the room changes. The floor becomes a twenty foot wide corridor, or maybe bridge is a better word, since it's hanging in open air in front of a gigantic clock tower. There's nothing immediately in the area to attack - but there's a door at the far end of the path, and it looks like there are sections of the walkway that might not support much in the way of weight.]

Walk only where I walk, and be quick about it. The drop won't kill you, but you'll probably break something if you do fall. I have potions or Alura Une if either of us is injured.