#(eesha and indira)

[thenxghtwemxt]

@royallyxmessy | Eesha and Indira, The Royal Throuple's Chambers

"She's with them again." The Lady of the house pouts, lingering at the doorway of their shared bed chambers. Right away, Eesha should know who they is. The bane of Indira's existence. The penultimate snake charmer of the Mughal Empire. Ariyan Banerjee has been a constant presence at court and in their lives. But while the disdain has been relentless over the years, Indira feels a change. Mostly, to do with Rashmi and her behavior around the advisor. "Ariyan is no doubt filling her head with filth about me. Extolling the harms of last night's memoriam." Indira complains, gaze lingering on Eesha's back. Undoubtedly, the other Empress is equally dissatisfied. The difference, of course, is that love conquered doubt. Or so she thought it did. "Rashmi's been so far away lately. Don't you think?" But there's an implication in her words - so have you.

[thenxghtwemxt]

She's a well-integrated part of the Sharma family at this point. Close enough with each of the Princesses to know their particular moods. Parvati has always been the sanguine sort. A vibrate but demure shade, compared to Indira's loud behavior. Joining arms with her, she smirks immediately. "Am I that obvious? I am told I act I am acting the peacock at this point." All feathers and posturing, though if you have it, why not flaunt it? "Eesha is cross. Rashmi is distant." Indira says, maintaining a smile even as her own fears creep to the surface. "Fret not," she tells Parvati. "What of your evening?"

closed starter ›› @thenxghtwemxt

        personal  opinion  about  the  choice  to  celebrate in the face of immense loss had been left behind in her chambers. the individual must be set aside so the empire could stand strong, united. the wandering eyes that filled lal qila would not only be looking for suspects but any sign of cracks from anyone. all evening parvati had felt their eyes upon her; further proof of where the target now rested - all the more reason they must stand together.  ❝ your spirits must be high. ❞   she linked her arm with indira's, a warm smile brightening her features. ❝ people will be speaking of this evening for many months to come. ❞

[theopulenthq]

+1 Wanted Connection. See full list here.

[Empress Eesha Sharma and Lady Indira Dhar], our [Summer Bishl and Sobhita Dhulipala FC], from [The Mughal Empire], is looking for their [The Emperor/Their Lover]. This is a [Romantic] connection that looks like [Please see recommended Male or Male-Identifying FCs for the Mughal Empire]. They are [30-40] years old. Everything else you need to know is under the cut! Please [DO] contact the writer thenxghtwemxt and royallyxmessy. The Emperor, Eesha, and Indira have been a longstanding throuple for over ten years now, long before the Emperor and Empress ascended their thrones. For a long time, this relationship was built on deep love, mutual respect, and equality amongst the three. However, as of late, the relationship has become tense. Your muse, the Emperor, has begun to let the pressure and glory go to his head. Whether you want to play out a redemption arc with him eventually coming back to himself, OR a villain arc where his ego continues to grow is up to you. There’s also a potential plot with the royal advisor, who may be influencing your muse to take more drastic actions and pull away from the couple.

[thenxghtwemxt]

@royallyxmessy | Eesha and Indira, Days after the Lockdown at the Prayer House

She is not pious by nature. Indira believes in the power of positive energy and that life, much like death, is what you make of it. But the Gurudwara is set atop a hill, just outside of Lal Qila, with a serenity and privacy that calls to her. Funny, really, how she could not stand for stillness most of her days. Yet in the wake of chaos and an upfront attack, it is stillness she seeks most. Peering over her shoulder, her expression softens at Eesha's arrival. She'd sent work to meet her here, once the sunset. They needed to speak - outside the wall of Lal Qila and its prying ears. "Wife." Indira purses her lips, immediately taking her hand as she settles beside her. "We must discuss the snake in our midst." It's treasonous to discuss this outside of Rashmi, but that concern seems to fall on deaf ears. At least Eesha could be affable to Indira's growing intolerance. "Rashmi misses nothing, yet she missed the news of the Chakri's losses?" Shaking her head, she stares into Eesha's eyes. "Rashmi does not miss a thing. But if one wanted to hurt our wife, who else could do it as easily as them?"

[flcralhaze]

{ simone ashley , 28 , cis woman , she/her } we are so glad to see you safe, honorary princess parvati sharma of the mughal empire ! it’s dangerous out in the world these days , but i hear that you are kindhearted and logical enough to handle it. just don’t let your timidness bring you down. stay on your guard , because with your secret being at risk for exposure , you wouldn’t want everyone to find out you're unsure if you should support the new royals or restore your family's status.

basic information.

full name: parvati sharma. nickname: parv. name meaning: daughter of the mountains. age: twenty-eight. date of birth: june 6th. astrological sign: taurus. gender & pronouns: cis woman , she / her. orientation: biromantic , bisexual - preference for women. spoken languages: hindi , arabic , farsi , english , french , spanish , italian , mandarin , learning japanese. title: honorary princess of the mughal empire. martial status: widowed , betrothed to the ruler of the mughal empire. loyalty: the mughal empire.

personality.

positive: kindhearted ,  logical ,  dependable ,  prudent , conciliatory. negative: timid ,  passive ,  self-sacrificing , perfectionist , phlegmatic. moral alignment: lawful good. temperament: phlegmatic. mbti: istj - the logistician. enneagram: 5w6 , the problem solver. hobbies: reading , learning , tinkering/inventing , botony.

familial ties.

father: late sharma emperor , deceased. mother: late sharma empress , deceased. siblings: empress rashmi sharma-thimmana , older sister , deceased. one older brother , deceased. princes/princess utp sharma , younger sibling. extended: empress consort eesha sharma , sister in law , deceased. lady indira dhar , sister in law , deceased. significant other: kajal gupta , husband , deceased. pets: an elephant and a cat.

history.

forever a quiet child, her parents would often boast that their third child rarely cried or caused a fuss, and growing up everyone knew that the best place to find her would be in the royal library, where she would normally be sitting with her nose in a book and many more surrounding her. parvati often drifted to the background while her siblings, both older and younger, took the spotlight but she had no qualms with it, preferring playing a secondary role to any adventures her siblings embarked upon than leading one of her own. however, she was constantly there to offer advice or reassuring words if any member of her family ever needed it.

parvati dedicated most of her years to her studies. she immensely enjoyed learning about whatever topic she could get her hands on, often spending hours upon hours in the library, even falling asleep there on occasion. the only lessons that pulled her away from her books were her courtesy lessons. a perfect lady, so proper and demure, her governess would say.

leaving home never interested her nor did aspirations of wedding someone who'd one day inherit a throne, despite a few proposals offered over the years. no, she was content remaining in the familiar halls of her home, acting as an advisor to her eldest sister, being a voice of logical reason in a room sometimes clouded with conflicting motives, ensuring that her sister's reign was secure and strong.

love did bless her in the form of a first love who stole the princess' heart. everyone at court would whisper that a proposal was imminent, but then the months stretched on. even parvati wondered about the noble's intentions and then suddenly there was another contender for her hand, one who made his intentions clear the moment they met. within the year the two were betrothed; parvati's happiness was apparent to all, and india celebrated the union as if months ago they hadn't been rooting for another.

yet not all the glittered was gold; a truth parvati discovered once the initial wedding bliss faded. her spouse's demeanor began changing; he began requesting that she speak with the empress about matters and political decisions that would benefit his family and their interests, believing that the empress would be swayed if parvati advocated for the ideas. she refused each time. the more she did, the colder he became - but only in private. in public, he played the role of a doting husband utterly in love with his wife. the realization that she'd been used from the start hit her hard, but parvati didn't say a word about the reality of her marriage to anyone. when asked, she too would play the role of an infatuated wife. no one could know the truth. she would not burden her family with what had happened, especially not rashmi.

when her husband was wounded during a hunt and eventually passed, parvati, despite publicly grieving, felt only relief. she was free at last. she could return home to lal qila and be surrounded by her family again. she could, hopefully, find happiness again. however, since returning home parvati couldn't help but feel like something was amiss, especially as her advice, which was normally welcomed, seemed to fall upon deaf ears more and more often.

arc o1.

as tensions rose in lal qila, parvati did her best to quell them. she could understand why some were upset ( the ball, the lack of answers, the perceived insult to thailand ) but she also knew that her family were doing their best. as more people called for vengeance, she continued advocating for the still metaphorical swords to be dropped, believing that division and infighting was exactly what the true culprits wanted. the reunion with her first love was an additional complication but parvati did her best to focus on the more important matters. her older sister needed her, needed her guidance, especially as more secrets were spilled and enemies felt closer with every passing day.

timeskip.

parvati remembered the day each member of her family died in vivid detail. it felt like her entire world shattered. for she had seen her future clearly, rashmi and her wives would rule, leading the empire into another generation to prosperity, and parvati would be at her sister's side, advising her and ensuring her legacy. but now her sister was gone. her older bother, her sister in law, and indira too. the grief was immense. ( tw ! ) one day parvati wandered into rashmi's sitting room and stared at the bottles of wine, wondering what one contained the poison and how much a fatal dose would be, only to flee the room before trying one. but it wasn't the last time similar thoughts entered her mind. ( tw end )

most of the days blended together. she vaguely remembered the visiting nations leaving, followed by talk of civil conflict spreading throughout the empire, and people looking to her for guidance - each time she'd look around for her sister and the knife would twist. still she tried to quell the conflict that swept across the empire but it had spiraled out of control. it didn't matter if she solved one problem, two more would replace it.

when the bhatis took over, parvati believed it was the end. she knew her histories: many times in order for a new monarchy to rise, the former must be eliminated. however, her younger sibling and her are not only permitted to live but retain their titles as honorary guests of the bhati family. it was then that parvati remembered the other histories, of former royals only exiled or kept close so they could not be forged into martyrs - so the new regime was strengthened through their mercy. when the bhati ruler proposed they wed and join their families, parvati knew it wasn't a choice. the last sharmas would be used to legitimize the new rule. this was the path they wanted her to walk.

she felt like a prisoner in her own home. a princess in name alone, a hostage in all other regards. not that she was treated cruelly but a gilded cage was still a cage. no matter what words were spoken, parvati couldn't shake the feeling that they were all empty. her fear grew, whispering in her ear that if she stepped out of line she would be punished, possibly killed. she didn't dare speak a word of her feelings. the empire had suffered enough; they needed stability not further fighting. instead, parvati secluded herself, only stepping outside of lal qila when her presence was necessary or to pray, and avoiding most people.

a year passed and parvati still struggled to not reach for her plain, white sari every morning. the summit in ethiopia would mark her longest departure from her seclusion. a part of her dreaded having to see the faces of everyone who turned their backs on her sister when rashmi had only been trying to help. another part of her was unsure how to approach the gathering. she knew the role she was expected to play: a dutiful betrothed, a symbol of a unified empire reclaiming their strength. but should she bow her head, accept the new dynasty, and her future place in it? or should she seize the opportunity, seek out allies, and attempt to restore her family's status? if only her older sister was still alive to advise her as parvati once tried to advise rashmi. but parvati sharma was quite alone now.

headcanons.

the biggest bookworm. she's constantly looking for new books to bring to the royal library despite there still being hundreds already on the shelves that she hasn't read yet. finding her without a book is a rarity. even sometimes at gatherings she's hide a book in the corner of the room or out on a balcony so she can read a little when she needs breaks from socializing.

she does enjoy tinkering with possible new ideas and inventions. has played an active role in assisting with new advancements in the mughal empire in the past be it as an advisor or leading a few small initiatives herself.

she's extremely bright, and her mind is extremely logical, which is why she made an excellent advisor. she does her best to look objectively at all situations in order to find the ideal path forward.

the loss of her family is a wound she doubt she'll ever recover from. all her life there was nothing more important to parvati than her family. she is absolutely terrified that she'll lose her younger sibling to and thus has grown extremely protective of them, constantly worrying about their safety.

she has never had any desire to hold any power herself and only ever wanted to help her sister's empire in whatever way she can. a sentiment that still remains. when the thought of restoring the sharmas as rulers enters her mind, it's always with the image of her younger sibling on the throne - especially because parvati doesn't believe herself capable of ruling.

after what happened in her first marriage and realizing that her husband only courted her because he wanted to use her, parvati believes that no one will ever want to marry her for love but rather only want her wealth and title. it's that belief that made doubting the bhati's ruler sincerity when they proposed marriage easier. a similar wariness is extended toward people trying to endear themselves to her in general.

that being said, she does genuinely want to find real love. she simply doesn't believe it's likely to happen given the reality of the world.

she really hates conflict of any sort and will either react passively or try to play peacemaker. the former has become more common since the reckoning.

she does have a pet elephant who she raised since it was a baby after its mother passed. she also has a female cat as a pet.

her self-confidence is at an all time low following the loss of her family and her change in status. parvati does blame herself for what happened, for not giving rashmi better advice, for not noticing she was being poisoned sooner, and now doubts herself often. in contrast, her timidness has grown immensely, occasionally getting close to paranoia.

[thenxghtwemxt]

Everyone is privy to their own opinion on Lady Indira Dhar and her unique place in India's court. But there are only two people whose opinion of her matters; the Emperor and Empress of the Mughal Empire. They've loved one another for over a decade, uniquely intertwined and involved. They know her value; the empath, the socialite, the bolstering confidence. She did not need to wear a crown to be an equal in their relationship and rule. Well... She didn't. Until the past year. It starts slowly; shooed away from court meetings with a generous invitation to go shopping, and escalating to a reminder of the importance of a legal heir to the Empire. But when the Emperor suggests a party, Indira is quick to assert her place. No one threw a spectacle like Indira Dhar. And if that meant earning Eesha's righteous glare, so be it.

Their relationship isn't just love. It's marriage. No matter what the law or Eesha's crown had to say about it.

She's basking in the glow of her triumph - allies are brought on side, enemies relegated to the corner. Certainly, the affected countries are cross. But in time, they'll see the grace in her actions. And in the meantime, she's on a winning streak. What could she have to lose? "My love." Indira coed with intoxicated excitement, wrapping her arms around Eesha's shoulders. She's glowing - even when she's clearly cross. The rest are ambivalent, but Indira can see through her polite words. "Count your blessings. I would be filthy rich with your money by sun up." She regales with a fantastical smile, following Eesha out into the hallway. The glamorous smile falling when they are alone. "You are cross that I took the Emperor's side." Indira summarizes intuitively. "Eesha, love... We are a triumph tonight. Please, don't spoil our win." And it is all of theirs. The three of them. As it always has been. "Won't you stop pouting and just enjoy the evening with me?" Her affectionate hands land on Eesha's waist, drawing her closer. "I promise, it will be a delight."

Closed starter: Eesha Sharma and Indira Dhar (@thenxghtwemxt)

Location: the parlor, during the card game

This is a profoundly bad idea; the whole celebration smacks of bad taste and Eesha knows it. She moves around her own home, unusually quiet and thoughtful for her, as she takes in the glances people throw at her husband, how some of them sneer into their hands at the sheer opulence of the Mughal Empire laid bare. "This isn't a memorium," she murmured to herself. 'but a slap in the face to all those who lost someone." She would be surprised if they did not receive some great tragedy next; if they weren't targeted by those who'd killed royals in Germany, Ethiopia, and Japan, then they'd be strung up by those aforementioned countries for disrespect. She'd said as much, of course, when the planning was underway, but her husband had been so taken with the idea of making their country's power and wealth known (so that none would try to move against them) that he'd not considered the image he was projecting to the globe. Typically, their mutual love, their Indira, would have been the deciding vote to bring some sense to the proceedings, but Indira had been eager for the party...and Eesha had been summarily over-ruled. Ever since, she'd done her level best to smooth some of the tensions, sending white lilies to the rooms of those who'd lost someone and handwriting sympathy cards though she was not sentimental nor typically great with empathy.

Usually, she would rely on Indira to go over her card, to make sure it sounded sincere enough, but Indira has barely spoken to Eesha...or maybe Eesha has been the one communicating less. Either way, discussion lately seems hard to come by especially when he is ever-present. Still, hearing of her love's card game, Eesha worries for her, worries that a moment of drunken vulnerability will give those who might mean them harm easy access. After all, there is no easier way to wound the rulers of the Mughal Empire than to hurt their Indira. She finds her giggling, drunk, and seemingly having a ball while taking money from those who clearly do not know how skilled the royal paramour is at cards. "I'm sorry my friends," Eesha announced to those at the table, coming to stand behind Indira. "The Queen of Hearts here is needed for court business...Lady Indira..." Eesha holds the smile on her face though her eyes flash.

[flcralhaze]

closed starter ›› @succiducus where: the sharma apartments when: a few days after the secrets are revealed

she  felt  sick.  questions  surrounding  her  sisters in law had never before existed in her head, but now they ran amok, a feast for her fears - not for herself but for her sister. parvati fiddled with her fingers as she paced. as a woman of logic, the strength of her emotions only further destabilized her. she reached through the haze, searching for something she could grasp, turning toward the commander when she found a place to start.   ❝ my sister's guards should be increased. ❞   she hesitated. guilt almost kept the next words unspoken, but her loyalty belonged to rashmi first and foremost. it was only logical, she told herself, that all precautions be taken until the accusations were proven false. or true.   ❝ and the guards assigned to eesha and indira . . . they are loyal eyes for the empress? ❞

[flcralhaze]

closed starter ›› @xforgedsecrets

        the  ball  alone  introduced  an  air  of tension to approaching the bereaved families who'd believed they were traveling here for justice rather than a party. when it came to the persian royals, however, it felt magnified. once the woman before her was meant to be a sister as eesha and indira were, but now that possibility lay shattered on the ground. perhaps for the best despite how it'd occurred - an unhappy marriage served none. regardless, past grievances paled in the face of loss.  ❝ sultana arishiya, ❞   she softly greeted.  ❝ i wished to extended my deepest condolences for your loss. ❞

[flcralhaze]

{ simone ashley , 28 , cis woman , she/her } we are so glad to see you safe, honorary princess parvati sharma of the mughal empire ! it’s dangerous out in the world these days , but i hear that you are kindhearted and logical enough to handle it. just don’t let your timidness bring you down. stay on your guard , because with your secret being at risk for exposure , you wouldn’t want everyone to find out you're unsure if you should support the new royals or restore your family's status.

basic information.

full name: parvati sharma. nickname: parv. name meaning: daughter of the mountains. age: twenty-eight. date of birth: june 6th. astrological sign: taurus. gender & pronouns: cis woman , she / her. orientation: biromantic , bisexual - preference for women. spoken languages: hindi , arabic , farsi , english , french , spanish , italian , mandarin , learning japanese. title: honorary princess of the mughal empire. martial status: widowed , betrothed to the ruler of the mughal empire. loyalty: the mughal empire.

personality.

positive: kindhearted ,  logical ,  dependable ,  prudent , conciliatory. negative: timid ,  passive ,  self-sacrificing , perfectionist , phlegmatic. moral alignment: lawful good. temperament: phlegmatic. mbti: istj - the logistician. enneagram: 5w6 , the problem solver. hobbies: reading , learning , tinkering/inventing , botony.

familial ties.

father: late sharma emperor , deceased. mother: late sharma empress , deceased. siblings: empress rashmi sharma-thimmana , older sister , deceased. one older brother , deceased. princes/princess utp sharma , younger sibling. extended: empress consort eesha sharma , sister in law , deceased. lady indira dhar , sister in law , deceased. significant other: kajal gupta , husband , deceased. pets: an elephant and a cat.

history.

forever a quiet child, her parents would often boast that their third child rarely cried or caused a fuss, and growing up everyone knew that the best place to find her would be in the royal library, where she would normally be sitting with her nose in a book and many more surrounding her. parvati often drifted to the background while her siblings, both older and younger, took the spotlight but she had no qualms with it, preferring playing a secondary role to any adventures her siblings embarked upon than leading one of her own. however, she was constantly there to offer advice or reassuring words if any member of her family ever needed it.

parvati dedicated most of her years to her studies. she immensely enjoyed learning about whatever topic she could get her hands on, often spending hours upon hours in the library, even falling asleep there on occasion. the only lessons that pulled her away from her books were her courtesy lessons. a perfect lady, so proper and demure, her governess would say.

leaving home never interested her nor did aspirations of wedding someone who'd one day inherit a throne, despite a few proposals offered over the years. no, she was content remaining in the familiar halls of her home, acting as an advisor to her eldest sister, being a voice of logical reason in a room sometimes clouded with conflicting motives, ensuring that her sister's reign was secure and strong.

love did bless her in the form of a first love who stole the princess' heart. everyone at court would whisper that a proposal was imminent, but then the months stretched on. even parvati wondered about the noble's intentions and then suddenly there was another contender for her hand, one who made his intentions clear the moment they met. within the year the two were betrothed; parvati's happiness was apparent to all, and india celebrated the union as if months ago they hadn't been rooting for another.

yet not all the glittered was gold; a truth parvati discovered once the initial wedding bliss faded. her spouse's demeanor began changing; he began requesting that she speak with the empress about matters and political decisions that would benefit his family and their interests, believing that the empress would be swayed if parvati advocated for the ideas. she refused each time. the more she did, the colder he became - but only in private. in public, he played the role of a doting husband utterly in love with his wife. the realization that she'd been used from the start hit her hard, but parvati didn't say a word about the reality of her marriage to anyone. when asked, she too would play the role of an infatuated wife. no one could know the truth. she would not burden her family with what had happened, especially not rashmi.

when her husband was wounded during a hunt and eventually passed, parvati, despite publicly grieving, felt only relief. she was free at last. she could return home to lal qila and be surrounded by her family again. she could, hopefully, find happiness again. however, since returning home parvati couldn't help but feel like something was amiss, especially as her advice, which was normally welcomed, seemed to fall upon deaf ears more and more often.

headcanons.

the biggest bookworm. she's constantly looking for new books to bring to the royal library despite there still being hundreds already on the shelves that she hasn't read yet. finding her without a book is a rarity. even sometimes at gatherings she's hide a book in the corner of the room or out on a balcony so she can read a little when she needs breaks from socializing.

she does enjoy tinkering with possible new ideas and inventions. has played an active role in assisting with new advancements in the mughal empire be it as an advisor or leading a few small initiatives herself.

there is nothing more important to parvati than her family. even when she disagrees with them she does her best to support their decisions - while also planning for any possible consequences.

she has no desire to hold any power herself but does desire to help the empire in whatever way she can, which, along with her extremely logical mind, makes her an excellent advisor. she strives to look objectively at situations, especially when she's counseling her eldest sister, who parvati only wants to see succeed.

after what happened in her first marriage and realizing that her husband only courted her because he wanted to use her, parvati believes that no one will ever want to marry her for love but rather only want her wealth and title. it has made her very wary about any prospective betrothals or people trying to endear themselves to her in general.

that being said, she does genuinely want to find real love. she simply doesn't believe it's likely to happen given the reality of the world.

she really hates conflict of any sort, but especially conflict amongst her family members. despite being the middle child, parvati will often intervene in any squabbles between her siblings in hopes of helping resolve them.

she does have a pet elephant who she raised since it was a baby after its mother passed. she also has a female cat as a pet.

[thenxghtwemxt]

The Interrogation - Lady Indira Dhar, Lover to the Mughal Empire Rulers @theopulenthq

Hello, can you please tell me your name, country, && what role you provide your court?

"Must you bore me with your inane questions? You know who I am." Puffing her lips, the Lady lounges back in her seat. Of course, it's no use. They are sticklers for process, it seems. "Lady Indira Dhar of the Mughal Empire. I am lover, caretaker, and advisor to the Empress. As is Eesha."

And who do you believe to be your closest allies, either nations or individuals? Do you trust your allies?

"Anyone who isn't us can't be trusted." She means the Sharma's, of course. There are just as many snakes in the Mughal Empire Court as there are outside of it. "I've been impressed with the Germans so far. Only they understand what the Memoriam is made to be. Lady Feyre and Lord Cailean of Scotland are good sorts. A potential ally in Scotland, perhaps."

Ah, yes, I see... how about your enemies, then. Who do you not align yourself with, and why?

"You, Ariyan." Indira purposely looks away from the scribe, haughty glare back at the immovable advisor to her wife. "Because you are filth. Scum of the Earth. A pathetic excuse for a child of the Empire." The scribe clears his throat, forcing a break from another one of their classic spats. Should he be writing this down? "The Ethiopian royals are in a league of their own self-importance and ego. High and mighty and as false as they come."

Interesting. Do you have a personal vendetta against any of the courts, or even individuals, here?

"What do I look like? A storybook villain." Alright, so she's not the main character either. Doesn't everyone love an anti-hero? "My only vendettas are against those who threaten the Empire... Or who are boring and humorless." Really, it should be treason to bore an Empress.

What are your thoughts on the mysterious deaths in so many royal families?

"It's tragic. Who knows who is next? Which is why it is imperative you put an end to this time suck and let me get back to my guests."

How do you feel about the system of monarchy as a whole?

"There is a reason why the Empire shines, and it is because of the monarchy. People need a representative on Earth. That's who we are." Of course, the jewels and gold help.

So, what would be your best theory as to what is going on, then?

"Isn't it obvious?" Indira nods out the door. "One of the mourning countries did it. Who else benefits from the death of an existing monarch, than the next one in line?"

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else you'd like to add, anything else that would be useful to the investigation?

"That's it. Now fuck off for the foreseeable future."

[classiqals]

" i understand. this is why it is you who is empress. you know your heart, and what is right. " it was praise, but understated, gentle in it's delivery to not condescend or pander. ariyan was as aware as she of the demands that come with governing a nation, and the toll it took on one's self. her heart - it was both their source of frustration, and their easiest weapon. her heart yearned for the love she found with indira, with eesha. it would be this tool that ari felt was best manipulated, and the more they poured into her distractions, the easier it would be to direct the next move. " leave the sultan to me. " a gentle statement, but one said from ariyan's heart ( or so it could be assumed, with the thoughtful tone used ). " our alliance with persia has been threatened far too many times, and i am dedicated to preserving it this time around. we may need to handle them, as well as ethiopia, with exceptional care moving forward... " ariyan shifted, adjusting, now all business. there were times that they were not all cunning, all conniving. " the new, young emperor of japan has caught my eye. such tragic loss. " a wince, to appeal to rashmi's sensitive side. " i thought i may do what i could to take him under my wing, and foster a potential alliance there. he seems malleable in his inexperience, and hungry for guidance. this could be used to our advantage, as japan flounders in the wake of tragedy. " now, ariyan brought forth a report - the script small, the details plentiful, and the equations made with the intent to confuse. " i took the liberty of estimating the cost, and balancing it against our tax profit, to outline a potential relief plan for the affected countries, so that they may funnel some of their income into memorials for their losses paid for by the mughal empire. a way to foster trust. it would, however... cut into the celebratory allowance we have for the summer festivals. "

though their words set her on edge at first, their softened expression soothed her at the same time. a confusing barrage of emotions, all the more serving to set the ache in her head. she sighs as she listens to their advice, leaning back in the chair, letting her chin rest upon her knuckles with a bitter heaviness. although these things always have been difficult to navigate, it was beginning to feel as though a wall was hit with every turn. "beacon of strength. pillar of trust." she repeats it but it is tired. "i've done my best to present both of those sides thus far. listening to everyone has led me here. but you already know what it's like, being battered with a thousand opinions." balance is something she and ariyan discuss often. their offer of relieving the burden is sweet in its temptation. rashmi intakes a breath, pausing to think about it. "... fine." she does agree to it here. her mind wanders towards the time of night that she would be able to look at the interview cards herself regardless. because she must know. ( the voice whispering. it is this smooth, it is this tempting. you don't want anything to happen to them, do you. ) "but since we are both here now, let's discuss what you have. i am — remiss to report the sultan's behaviour. i stumbled upon him drunk and grief-stricken. who can blame him?" here, rashmi eyes ariyan, reaching to shuffle through the cards. she isn't too sure what she is looking for. her feelings mingle with her instincts and confuse it even more. "the ethiopian kingdom had an expected reaction. the germans and the scots brought enough drunken revelry that i blushed." she didn't. "but i am intrigued to your thoughts thus far."

[thenxghtwemxt]

"Then it's decided. I will bring you a wide selection by tomorrow night." It's what a hospitable Empress would do. And though she does not carry the title the way Eesha does, she carries every bit the energy and obligation. She's a spouse - not just a mere lover. And the more of their foreign dignitaries knew it, the better. "The second sight." She repeats, more out of entertainment than anything else. Indira believes in what she can hear and touch - the plushness of her cotton bedsheets, the vitriol in the Ethiopian contingent's words. But the notion of some mythic thing predicting the future is skeptical. "My lady, I believe that you are as observant and sharp as any advisor or diplomat out there. But I attribute that to personal success, not faeries and ghosts."

Fortunately, Feyre's words are the exact balm for Indira's antsy energy. She's flush with the compliment. Parties may be frivolous to some, but not to her. They were tokens of life, held deeply in its attendants palms. And then, finally, your majesty. "Oh," a hand on her heart, Indira smiles. "Oh. I do like you, my lady. You have made my heart feel full."

" you know, i'm not sure i have a decent hat for the sun, i'll have to get one. it's quite wet in scotland, you see, you'll find more wool cloaks then hats around. " feyre said fondly. she enjoyed those rainy days, with the air cool on her cheeks but the rest of her bundled up warm in the wool cloak her mother had bought her. the heat of india made her realize just how much she liked the coolness of home. " aye, those are wise words, " she mused. while not wrong, feyre didn't want to think that perhaps she lost everything she didn't win — especially if she never stood a chance. the fiery redhead laughed softly, " perhaps. you could call it an da shealladh — the second sight. some back home believe there are those who can see things unseen. most think that means faeries and dark truths, death and the like — i like to think it means seeing people too. not that i'm saying i have the gift. " feyre winked at her, leaving up to the woman if she was implying such things.

feyre looked around as indira raised her arms. truthfully, she thought it was grand for a wake — but that didn't mean it hadn't been a wonderful experience and that it wasn't utterly spectacular. " i've never been to such a grand party in all my life, truly. " she told her with a smile, " it'll be strange to go home to scotland, our parties are loud and drunken — nothing at all like this. you planned a wonderfully elegant party, your majesty. "

[flcralhaze]

parvati didn't  know  what  she'd  expected.  had he tried stopping her from leaving and immediately provided an explanation, would it have mattered? rashmi would still be dead. indira and eesha too. parvati still would've faced the civil conflict without a then trusted military commander to provide guidance. their actions had spoken louder than any words he could've said then or now. and yet anger burned in the pit of her stomach. she wanted to laugh, or scream, or cry. instead, parvati shook her head and met his gaze.   ❝ of course not, my lord. i would need to know you to have an issue with you. ❞   the man before her a stranger, had forever been a stranger, cloaked in deceit - that was one thing she knew.

he'd sought solace away from familiar faces in the gardens. every day that their ship drew closer to the coast of africa, abdullah wished that his contemplation of staying back in scotland had become a solid decision instead. ill-advised as it might've been to leave the stuart heirs alone to fend for themselves among familiar and unfamiliar royals, saving himself from situations such as this one seemed much more pleasant. the advisor hadn't seen her until her voice, accompanied by warranted bitterness finds his ears. he wishes to speak of condolences and guilt, but pride is what comes out of his mouth instead. "have we an issue between us, your grace?"

[thenxghtwemxt]

It is easy to look upon the Lady Indira Dhar and see a woman compelled by the finer things in life. A woman hell-bent on the luxuries and beauty of her stature, with no stomach for the harder parts of life. But for all her frivolity, the years spent in service of the crown and her Empresses would prove them wrong. If there is a breaking in her heart at the sight of Rashmi's despair, she does not let it show. In this moment, Indira dedicates herself as the pillar of strength for Rashmi to rest her head upon. "You needn't always say it." She insists softly, though there is an implication there - it needs to be said, at least once and awhile. Her face contorts into one of listening, without ever bordering on heartbroken. That ache is for her alone. Instead, she tightens her grip around Rashmi's body, inhaling her familiar scent. "We are stronger together. We have been since girlhood. If you must fall, let us catch you. Let us be strong when you are weak." Indira insists, brow furrowed at the notion. "No harm shall come of us. We are quite capable, you know." She attempts to tease, bringing lightness into the despair. "Perhaps it is time to seek other physicians. Better comrades. Leave some of the efforts to Eesha, or Parvati." So long as it is not Ariyan.

the push & the pull, the doom of the tides. still, rashmi floats. perhaps it is indira's words which provide her that moment of respite: feeling as though she can be untethered. pulled from the ground, placed upon her lap; suddenly, rashmi is a girl & there is no persuasion of other voices to pull her from indira's might. the same might which convinced her, & still did, that she was a woman rashmi desired to have by her side, no matter the cost, no matter the consequence. "i try. i seek you both out. i ache for you. i love you even when i cannot say it." remembering parvati's reaction at her suggestion that she might be being poisoned. and now, indira saying, you haven't been yourself for months. it seems to prove it correct. that slowly, death eats her. "it shouldn't be on yours and eesha's shoulders to fight my battles. i am meant to be as iron as the sword i once wielded. and now, look at me. fallen from greatness. a voice, haunting my head. how can i hope to be myself?" she aims this distrust at the ground. "my mind spins all the time. i falter daily. i fall short. how can you look upon me when i waste away like this?" sometimes, it is more courageous to be vulnerable. so she is. "when i fear that you might be next. or that i am currently it."

[flcralhaze]

every  movement,  even  breathing,  felt  difficult.  her heart cracked more the more indira spoke. if she could discard logic and follow only emotion, she would embrace blind faith alone.   ❝ that's not technically true, ❞   she softly protested with a shake of her head.   ❝ my opinions rely on what is known. you insisted upon the ball, and then left my sister to clean up the mess it made. someone prevented the invitation from reaching thailand. ❞   someone might be poisoning rashmi but that she kept to herself.   ❝ and now you and eesha were speaking in secret. ❞   a good wife, perhaps, but to whom - both or eesha?

There's an ache in her heart that presents itself so clearly. Indira Dhar never felt an emotion that she did not express. Akin to a strike to the heart, her eyes widen and her lips curl into a frown. Parvati was the good one - the tempered heart, the reasonable head. And if she could lose faith in Indira, then it was only a matter of time... "Oh?" Indira presses on, turning her hurt into persistence. "I've never known you to be without words or opinion." She goads on, inviting the doubts that Pravati clearly now held towards her. "I am a good wife, Parvati." She insists, a croak of desperation in her insistent stance.

[classiqals]

Finally breaking the perfect character of a figure without a single crack to boast of, Ari met Eesha's words with a cutting, sharp sigh. " Ah yes. " The advisor hummed, a dark smile flickering coldly upon their features. " You do indeed share a throne - you and whatever other strays your wife may pick up from the streets along the way. " It was a direct dig at Indira, sure- but it was a threat, as well, a threat of the future, and who else may be ushered into the court, by Rashmi's heart. In truth, Ari had no qualms with a group union, they even saw the appeal; more minds, more hands, more strength. If only it hadn't of been her. The smile following their words were tight, small, and thin-lipped with distain. " You always do like to worry Empress Rashmi with your complaints, and she has been suffering the stress of everything enough as it is. No need for threats, your majesty. " Hands folded together, their back straightened, and Ari let a tense silence blanket the room... almost long enough to be considered rude. " Our guests are all either idiots or extremely good at playing as such. No one seems to know anything of value to the investigation whatsoever - yet it seems everyone knows something about the other guests. We have a string of mysteries to unravel and at this point in time, none of them seem to have much point to us. Unless our luck changes, it would appear to be a dead end could be a real possibility. "

How many meetings had the two of them sat there, impassive expressions plastered to their faces as they listened to Rashmi, always on opposite sides? That they had both agreed that the memoriam was a bad idea was no particular victory for either of them; agreeing with Ariyan about anything left a sour taste in Eesha's mouth, indeed. "Ethiopia was wounded, is wounded. They need more than words to smooth those feathers." Not that she would share with Ariyan what those were. "And Germany...well the Europeans are all rather messy aren't they? That doesn't make them without a certain merit." She did not trust them a fraction. "But in any case, you are an advisor for the Empress, but I am her wife and on the throne with her. There is a crown on my head too. You can give me information willingly, and therefore get to choose the information you give, or I can go and tell the Empress that I am not involved enough and that I feel slighted by your lack of trust and see what she says." Eesha shrugged and smiled. "I'm asking nicely right now. I would hate to have to be more forceful. I prefer diplomacy. So are you going to go with a diplomatic partnership or are we going to waste time?"