[Action / Locked to CR & those she respects]

[innocent_royal]

[The time has come. It was yet another birthday in Genessia. On this day, Anastasia will be 14 years old, and yet she couldn't help but notice that she hasn't been growing. She has been the same height since she arrived. It was certainly weird, but today, she doesn't have much time to contemplate why it was as it was.

Anastasia's birthday is being held on front lawn of her castle in her Sub-archway, her cold and snowy capital city. Half a dozen maids setting up only a few tables, getting them decorated and bringing snacks and drinks from the castle kitchen. She doesn't plan on a large turn out, given how disastrous her last birthday was. So instead of inviting everyone to join the festivities of a separate holiday in her city, she is limiting her invitations to just her friends.

With a list of those she will permit to visit, she gives it to the guards at the castle gates. The list includes:]

Abel Nightroad
Ayame Sasaki
Satsuki Kiryuin
Theodore Satchel
Tony Clark
Koishi Komeiji
Satori Komeiji
Prince Xander
King Saber
Sun Wukong
Blake Belladonna


[She's well aware half of her list won't show up, and she's mature enough to know the reasons why. She won't let herself be saddened by a low turn out. With everything set up, snow begins to fall like confetti on Anastasia's birthday, but it's just a ordinary day for as she moves around the yard, trying to pass the time waiting for any guests to show up.]

Comments

[yoyoboy]

I. (Closed to Anastasia)
[While it doesn't matter he's the first to arrive or not, Tony couldn't believe the size of the castle. Right now, he's wearing a yellow parka as he read from his invitation that her subarchway is snowing, even though he has no knowledge what a subarchway is. However, he still has a bandage on his head where his large bump that he took from the last attack he can't remember from the Fayren invasion. Regardless, he feels that he's dressed okay for this special occasion.

When he enters the front lawn of the castle, he is surprised to see many snack and drinks prepared on the dining table as well the decorations around the lawn. If he finds the birthday girl herself, he then runs up and waves at her.]

Hey, Anastasia! Happy birthday!

II. (Open to All)
[If he's done talking or hanging out with Anastasia, you can find him grabbing some snacks from the table and enjoying the party. Maybe you can try to approach to him and have a chat. But if you didn't, he might try to jump up and down behind you in order to get the birthday girl's attention once more.]

Hey, do you mind?!

I.

[innocent_royal]

[For a few minutes, Anastasia had been watching some of the wild snow bunnies working together to try to steal from the snack tables, only for them to be chased away by the maid attendants.

When Tony's voice rang out, it caught her attention, and the attention of the maids.]

"Hi, Tony. I somehow knew you were going to make it. Did you have any trouble finding the castle?"

[Was that supposed to be a joke? Meanwhile, the maids were quick to start gossiping about Tony and how he is using such a familiar tone with Anastasia.]

Re: I.

[yoyoboy]

Uh... Somehow...

[To be honest, he is surprised that there's another city other than the cities she mentioned before. Thankfully, the directions on his invitation were able to help him navigate to her birthday party.]

Still, you aren't kidding about this place. I thought you were far away from your world.

Re: I.

[innocent_royal]

"I am. This city is just a near perfect replica. If you were to try to go south towards Eukursk, or north to Nikki, you would find yourself right were you really do no want to be."

[Anastasia looks to the maids, who quickly stopped gossiping.]

"And life here doesn't progress. It feels like deja vu every day I am here. Even when I was last here months ago, everyone does the exact same thing until I specify a new activity. Like prepare for my birthday."

[She turns to look back at Tony to gauge whether she made any sense.]

Re: I.

[yoyoboy]

[Unfortunately, Tony doesn't understand most of her explanations. However, he did understand some of it.]

So you're saying this is just a copy and this city is stuck on a time loop or something?

Re: I.

[innocent_royal]

"The city is definitely something. I can't really specify what it really is. But a copy is the closest I would call it."

[A pause.]

"My people can get very emotionally attached on a sort of spiritual level. When I see my parents here, I can't feel anything. That's what tells me that this may not be real by our known sense of the word."

Took some minor liberties, let me know if it needs changing

[zenoh]

[ Ayame arrived just as anyone would or did. She was impressed with the sight of the castle enough to take a couple of pictures, before being questioned by the guards. After an explanation and an awkward exchange, they let Ayame pass when she proved herself a friend of the princess. Through the gates with her gift in hand, Ayame meets with Anastasia and sets her gift aside on one of the tables.

Initially, she was wearing something modern. But Ayame expressed interest in wearing something the locals would. Or at least something closer to it. After being guided by maids to a room inside a castle, Ayame leaves it wearing something else - complete with the small hat and a parasol. It took some time, thanks to her large bust making it hard to find something that fits. But in the end, Ayame likes the way she looks and how the attire accentuated her mature figure. ]

I'm sorry that took longer than expected. How do I look?

I see nothing that needs changing~

[innocent_royal]

[Hopefully Ayame won't take any skepticism from the locals to heart. Any advanced technology is eyed with suspicion. Thankfully, the Kingdom of Regnum Nivibus is very female friendly and the law won't be so quick to lay out any harsh punishments should any incidents occur.

As Ayame receives a Nivian outfit, she would find it made from exquisite material, as if it takes in the cooler air and converts to a warmth like a gentle hug. Meanwhile, Anastasia was directed to change from her fancy-casual princess dress to one more befitting her status. A more luxurious gown with a shawl draped over her shoulders, her family crest on the back and a simple tiara on her head bearing eight snowflake-shaped blue gemstones representing the kingdom's eight provinces.

Anastasia was out before Ayame and waiting until she came out. The young girl examined Ayame's new outfit.]

"Yes, it looks good. You could pass a Highborn. And I am told we have no gowns that fit you perfectly, so we do apologize. Nivian women very rarely grow to be, um...like you."

[zenoh]

I see...

[ Ayame looked sheepish at the comment, noticing the fact that the women here tend to not be as tall, stacked, and athletic as her. But she's only seen the women in the castle so far, and the place is not so bad. She didn't mind the skepticism towards technology. This isn't the first time she's had experience with that, being a multiversal traveler and all.

But that's not her concern at the moment. Satsuki has returned so Anastasia is back to Nova City with her more official guardian. It's only been three days, but Ayame already misses coming home to someone. Ayame and Anastasia walks down the vast halls of the castle when she speaks up ]

You look wonderful in that gown, by the way. Have you been doing well these past couple of days?

[innocent_royal]

[As they travel down the halls back to the front lawn, a few visiting lords have taken notice of Ayame and are quite interested in her. However, they won't bother her. Common courtesy and instinct compels them to behave.]

"Thank you. I'm not too fond of hoop skirts, though. And I've been well. It's nice to have a large room again."

[She stops to look at Ayame.]

"But I miss being with you, too. Is there any chance you, Satsuki and I could get a house together?"

[zenoh]

[ Ayame couldn't ignore the attention she's been getting, although her focus is on Anastasia. She sneaks some nods in greeting from time to time, just to acknowledge their existence and not come across as a snob. When Anastasia expressed the idea of getting a house for the three of them, Ayame couldn't help but blush and smile ]

Hmm. A good question. You might have to ask Satsuki for that one, though.

[ While Ayame would love to have company, since her apartment can be pretty lonely, she has doubts Satsuki would agree to it, what with Ragyo around. ]

I wouldn't mind it at all if we live in one roof. I know I took it for granted when I was growing up, but I now miss having someone to come home to.

[ Ayame would almost never admit that out loud to someone, but Anastasia has earned her trust enough that Ayame feels she can open up to her ]

[innocent_royal]

[Anastasia couldn't help but smile back. It's rare for her to smile, and it seems Ayame is having the most success lately at getting her to show a pretty smile.]

"If I may be honest, I like Satsuki a lot and I trust her to be able to rescue me, even from myself. But she always keeps a level of distance. Plus, the training she gives me is quite tiring."

[text]

[youfool]

[He got the invitation. A birthday, how fun! His face fell when he read where it was held. To hell with that. Still, he needn't be wholly negative. An alternative might serve.]

Hello and happy birthday, Anastasia. Regrettably I cannot celebrate it with you there. I'd be more than happy, however, to substitute an outing in its place. Let me know if you'd like that.

[text]

[innocent_royal]

What outing would you suggest?

Re: [text]

[youfool]

It'll have to be a surprise. ;D

Re: [text]

[innocent_royal]

Okay then. And what is the ;D?

Re: [text]

[youfool]

Oh, that's an emoticon. A sort of hieroglyph; that ones represents a wide smile and a wink all at once.

[Internet expert over here.]

Well, is now a good time? Where shall I get you?

Re: [text]

[innocent_royal]

Perhaps in the afternoon, when I know who has arrived. And I'll be waiting in Fayren, I suppose. In front of my archway.

[02crusnikabel]

[He spent the last few days trying to figure out what is the best birthday present for her.

And it is so, Abel is late. The sun was setting by the time he arrived, he arrived holding a large batch of colorful helium balloons, and his birthday present is wrapped up as a gift with ribbons. By the time the guards noticed him, and they let him in, Abel made a little bow to the little princess.]

Hello Princess Anastasia. Happy birthday to you!

[innocent_royal]

[Anastasia was happy to see Abel had made it. She was getting worried he wouldn't be able to show up after all. Upon his bow in greeting, she performed a curtsy in response.]

"You made it, Abel. Thank you."

[weavemyownfate]

[Another birthday already? And much like the year before, Satsuki finds time to slip from her shift in Nova City to pay Anastasia a visit, which involves the annoyance of having to travel quite a distance. Why did the archways have to be so.. Far? Someone should invent a teleportation system.

Anywho, she arrives not exactly dressed up, but her attire is undoubtedly law-enforcement in apperance; not to mention she carries a box in hand along with her.

Of course, it doesn't take long for her to find Anastasia, whom she greets with the usual nod.]

So it has been another year already, has it?

[innocent_royal]

[Upon her approach, the gatekeepers nodded at Satsuki in approval at her strong and stoic demeanor and allowed her in.

Anastasia smiles as Satsuki greets her.]

"Indeed it has. I am 14 years old now, but I do not believe I have grown any."

[It really does appear Anastasia has not grown in height at all.]

[weavemyownfate]

I can confirm that you have not.

[There's probably room for a joke there, but nothing really comes to mind. She raises a hand to her chin.]

The phenomenon is just one of many mysteries here in Genessia; though it is not an unusual case so far as this world is concerned.

[A pause.]

It was an unusual experience for me when I first realized. How are you feeling?

[innocent_royal]

[Anastasia took a moment to consider how she feels.]

"A little confused. I don't know how I'm supposed to grow into a proper woman if I'm not even growing at all."

[Was this Genessia's doing? Or is it the magic she is carrying? She'll figure a way to spin this realization into something more positive than confusing.]

"But anyway, how are you, Satsuki? Have you had any trouble on the way here?"

[weavemyownfate]

I see. I was in a similar position; I had not realized I had made growth of my own until it was brought to my attention. It is not so much your physical appearance that is important compared to your mentality.

It is true it may make things more challenging for you when the time comes for you to become Guardian, but it is hardly an insurmountable issue.

[Satsuki.. May have missed the main point there.]

Speaking of which, we still need to speak with the Guardian of Fayren, don't we?

[A nod. As for the question.]

I am well enough; and nothing out of the ordinary.

[A much shorter answer, and with that she hands Anastasia her gift. It is a long, slender box, white in color with a pink ribbon that wraps it closed.]

This is for you; though I warn you ahead of time that you may not enjoy it as much as your holiday gift, but it is necessary.