#i. aranya chakri ��› thread.

[flcralhaze]

open starter ›› ft. aranya chakri. where: moon beach during phi ta khon spirit festival status: accepting replies

the chapel  had  been  her  first  stop. an offering given, sorrow climbing up her throat but tears weren't permitted to fall. phi ta khon was not an event that should be cast in shadows. the familiar melodies of thai music to guided her toward main festival, only for her to come to a sudden halt when at last she saw the culmination of all her careful planning. the tears that watered in her eyes were not sorrowful ones.   ❝ it's perfect, ❞   she whispered. she might be half a world away but for a moment, aranya felt as if she was home.

[gcldforged]

open starter ›› @francehqstarters where: the dessert table.

        aranya  stared  intently  at  the  table.  to think when she'd walked over she'd thought selecting a dessert would've been an easy task; she had her favorites and surely would've been able to find one on the table, but selecting a dessert that was familiar seemed silly when instead she could try something new. only that left her with far too many options. the queen glanced to the side when she saw someone approach, greeting them with a polite smile.   ❝ everything looks so delicious. i can't decide what to try. do you have any recommendation? ❞

[flcralhaze]

❝ i hope  you  won't  mind  some  company in that fantasy. playing the fool for a few hours sounds like a welcomed escape. ❞   no matter that reality would be waiting to sink its claws back into her. a hand rose to cover her slightly gaping mouth.  ❝ oh my. ❞   thailand had been fortunate where war was concerned. she had visited the army on occasion so they knew their monarchs were grateful for their service but never in conditions similar to what kekoa described.   ❝ i can only imagine what it must've been like. i'm grateful for solid ground after smooth journeys. i doubt i could survive a storm that violent. ❞

"Fantasy or not, it won't be possible unless some of us continue to naively believe in it. I am happy to be the greater fool, even if it is only for the next few hours. Pragmatism can be tackled in the morning."

He nodded at her description, more than able to empathize. "When I was a younger man, I traveled with a naval ship. Those fighters did not smell fresh at the best of times. The addition of sea sickness and a lack of fresh water created an environment I will not forget any time soon. Half way through the voyage we were hit by a violent storm. The crew were having to tie down everything on the deck. It is amazing the relief solid ground can be after an experience like that."

[flcralhaze]

open starter ›› aranya chakri where: a courtyard , a sitting room , anywhere public. when: utp ! no longer accepting replies

        being  the  focus  of  other's  attention  was nothing new to the queen whose people rejoiced whenever she stepped outside palace walls; it was the hostility that accompanied many of the eyes here was unfamilar. but the chakris had every right to be here; they should've bene invited from the start. she held her tea cup tighter than normal, trying to ignore the rotation of people staring without speaking, but eventually one person lingered too long.   ❝ there is an open chair if you want to sit down. ❞   in spite of her irritation, her courtesy remained, a rose was still a rose even if the world forced it to grow thorns.

[gcldforged]

closed starter ›› @frvgcleternty ( amara )

        the  warm  weather  hardly  bothered  the  thai queen. rather, she quite appreciated the drier air in comparison to the humidity thailand could never shake. she walked arm in arm with the tsarina. there was a lightness to her steps, brought about mainly by the good weather and company but aided by the fact that none of her husband's worries about the security meeting had proven correct.   ❝ i belatedly realized i failed to ask after you and your marriage during our last conversation. ❞   she offered an apologetic smile. it was hardly fair. not when amara was there for her.   ❝ or would you prefer we abandon talk of men altogether this afternoon? ❞

[flcralhaze]

closed starter ›› thanin chakri , @classiqals where: the charki apartments.

for the  first  time  since  the  journey to ethiopia, aranya wasn't certain what made her stomach so uneasy as she entered the room. the temptation to hurry through the sitting room and into her quarters tugged at her hand, but feet didn't follow. the time to delay was quickly running out. her dresses growing tighter could be dealt with, but the sickness that had rendered her bedridden for almost the entire journey on the naglar left only questions. continued claims of seasickness felt increasingly hollow. aranya's steps were slow as she approached her husband, devoid of the joy that should surround such a moment. softly, she cleared her throat.   ❝ my apologies if i'm interrupting, but do you have a moment? ❞   she fiddled with her fingers.   ❝ there's something i need to tell you . . . ❞

[gcldforged]

        aranya  nodded,  excited  to  share  a  piece of her home with someone like barbara. music was often considered a splendid way to bring people together, and she'd never thought it more true than now.   ❝ yes, but when we play together, we can play a piece we're both familiar with. ❞   since arriving in france, she had tried her hand at playing a few pieces more common here.   ❝ i'm afraid they're not night owls like us so they're fast asleep by this hour. ❞   quietly, anya was glad, happy to have a more casual atmosphere to get to know the princess better in.

𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐀 𝐖𝐀𝐒 getting really excited as they walked. Music is one of her favorite passions and hobbies, although she would rather sing than play because she feels more 'secure' singing than playing. ⏤ ❛ Oooh, I see. But frankly, no. I do not. Are you going to play one for me? ❜ She wonders what Thai music sounds like. She can't wait for Aranya to show her the music or even teach if she would like. ❛ Your ladies are going to play with you too? ❜ She inquired, wondering if Aranya would play only her instrument or if she would ask for her ladies to join them too.

[gcldforged]

isolde stuart ›› @swordsandcrownsxx when: during the captive situation.

        ❝  princess  isolde,  would  you  like  to  sit? ❞ the emotions she saw upon the scot's face reminded her of what she felt when one of the guards had informed her that someone had tried to kill thanin. even today she could still recall the fear vividly, and how alone was the last thing she'd wanted to be. not all, however, dealt with fear the same; hence offer extended in a way that it could be rejected or accepted without risk of judgement from those around.

[flcralhaze]

closed starter ›› risa ratsifi , @espionisms when: during the grand breakfast

had she  mentioned  her  intention  to  reconnect with her sibling in law after they hadn't seen each other since the reckoning to thanin, aranya knew he would've disapproved, forbid it even. they were here for peace, however; how could they promote peace when discontent existed within their own home? and aranya had enough enemies, most faceless, forever escaping justice's grasp, and wanted no more. as she approached, memory recalled the mirror to their first encounter in lal qila, only now it was she seeking a welcome. anya smile was soft.  ❝ may i sit? ❞

[gcldforged]

decha chakri ›› @effervcscents where: the infirmary.

        worry  has  seized  her  upon  learning  that her brother in law had been harmed. while aranya quietly felt like an outsider amongst her husband's family, she still cared for the chakris, having been first a loyal citizen before a part of their family. sitting beside decha, her concern was painted across her expression.   ❝ do you need anything? i still have some tea from home or i could ask the chefs to prepare something for you. ❞  that wasn't the broth she'd noticed some of the other injured being served. he needed their strength.

[flcralhaze]

kindness,  not  malice,  had  raised  her.  it was why she'd never hidden away behind tall walls like other nobles, but instead walked amongst the thai people, never hesitating to help the people long before she'd been bestowed a crown. the rage now consuming her unfamilar. uncomfortable. but what else, save grief, was there?   ❝ i'm not tired. ❞   a half lie. she was oft tired for she felt incapable of finding a restful night of sleep. mind either encased in still darkness or memories she wished to forget.

They are unlikely friends. Some would think disingenuous friends at that. But there's an ache in his chest at the whisper of profound sadness on her face. What else could it be, but the ache of a friend's heart at the breaking of another's? She's unconvinced, but Santiago remains undeterred. Quiet as he nods in agreement. "I shall find you the moment the search has concluded. And in the meantime..." He places a hand on Aranya's shoulder, catching her eye. "You must lay down and rest."

[flcralhaze]

closed starter ›› antonio de alcantara , @thenxghtwemxt when: during the grand breakfast

her time  in  ethiopia  would  be  different. anger hadn't vanished but quieted within her heart. the time she'd spent speaking with her people and ensuring their wellbeing had reminded her that vengeance meant only looking back. thailand needed her eyes on the horizon. as did the child she now carried. but the past was not forgotten, not the reckoning or the events preceeding it, which was why there was a slight hesitation in her steps as she approached the brazilian monarch.  ❝ your majesty. your journey here was uneventful, i hope? ❞

[gcldforged]

thanin chakri ›› @classiqcals where: the chakri quarters.

        mind  was  elsewhere  as  she  walked  toward the door, intent on seeing how she could be helpful with so many injured, and aranya had not expected anyone else to be in the room. yet there was only a little surprise when, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted her husband at the last moment. her steps slowed before halting a few paces from the door, and she turned.   ❝ i thought you would be at the infirmary or speaking with the other monarchs. ❞   hoped would've been a better word. aranya bit back a sigh. perhaps she should rid herself of the notion entirely since once again trouble struck and thanin hid away.

[flcralhaze]

closed starter ›› thanin chakri , @classiqals when: during the grand breakfast.

a quiet  breath  of  relief  had  fallen from her lips upon learning they'd all be gathering for breakfast, minimizing the risk of being offered wine that she could no longer drink. a glass of juice the first object she'd reached for and now carried like a shield in her hand. socializing had briefly pulled her away from her husband's side ( a relief? a loss? how muddled her mind was ) but eventually french queen was pulled into another conversation as was the japanese noble who filled her place. like a leaf falling back to the ground no matter where the wind occasionally blew it, aranya returned to her husband's side.  ❝ have you had anything to eat? i believe i saw some dishes from home on one of the tables. ❞  along with foods from the other visiting nations. quite considerate of the solomans, though anya hadn't expected otherwise after witnessing the family's conduct the last time they'd been gathered together.

[flcralhaze]

aranya  blinked,  head  tilted  slightly.  had  they met before? no name arose in her mind it, but it wouldn't be the first time a name had slipped from her recollection, embarrassed as she'd be to admit. lips almost part, the question on the tip of her tongue, but his words silenced the words before they were spoken. she quickly shook her head.   ❝ no. ❞   she took care to not say it too quickly.   ❝ you're kind to offer, but i'm fine, truly. i wasn't harmed during the chaos. it's nothing but worries. ❞   consciously, she made her hand fall back to her side. only a day ago she'd been thinking of how best to announce her pregnancy; now, she worried it would put a target on her.   ❝ thank you. so long as they're well enough for visitors. ❞

recollection sets in, his eyes widen. fate seems to weave its threads no matter how much phai wishes to distance himself from it. it's been days since he learned the truth of his heritage, and now, to see the thai queen in front of him feels like a cruel joke. his breath hitches, and he tries to put on a mask, to mimic how he would act if this was someone else. anyone but his sister-in-law — what an odd thought. fights the urge to shake his head to push it away. a glance at the hand hovering over her body, he tries again. "are you sure? would you like me to check if anything's hurt?" he does not move forward, not without her permission. it's easier to slip into work mode, easier to pretend she is just another next of kin to a patient, nothing else. oh, how he wishes that was true. "yes- i can bring you to them, they are all tended to, and resting now."

[gcldforged]

open starter ›› @francehqstarters where: a sitting room in the palace.

        it  felt  like  there  was  little  to do but wait. wait until the search party returned, wait until they could return home. though aranya fretted over what awaited her there; france was meant to be an escape from danger, a chance at respite while matters back home calmed down, yet here it lived too. the thought that it would still be alive in thailand an ever growing one. she distracted herself with her embroidery, grateful that another sat nearby.   ❝ the castle being so quiet is quite odd, ❞   she eventually remarked, glancing up briefly even as her hand still guided the needle and thread.