#royal response

[empress-mizuki]

[Ah, the light in the eyes of someone asked to expound upon a topic they loved never got old. The Empress was fascinated by his descriptions, vague as they were due to time. Learning any new thing was her favorite activity, and she was discovering that her gilded friend was a wellspring of new information.]

Perhaps, if the thought interests you and you have the resources, we could trade books concerning our cultures? I have a library you would find fascinating, I am sure, and I will never turn down a good book, especially a recommendation from a friend.

[There was that same look she had seen in his eye when they had first met across the river from the Underworld. It always seemed to appear with any mention of Hades.

More reassuring was his response to her encouragement. Whoever Midas had been, he was clearly trying to be better, and she would always encourage improvement, as it had only ever been its own reward for her.

This vulnerability was a very good start for them both, but especially for him, since it had taken so much effort on his part. Spirits knew she understood the miserable feeling of weakness that always accompanied asking for help, even if it was an act of strength to do so. It felt counterintuitive, strength asking to share the burden, yet it was necessary.

Ironic that she knew this, yet had none to share hers. Not as fully as the King and Valeria.

It wasn't so bad, though, in moments like this. That was the thought that rested in the Empress' mind as Midas took her hand and fixed her eyes with a genuine look of gratitude. It was not lost on her that he had not switched to use the gauntlet. Again, a gesture of trust. She pressed his hand gently with a soft smile before he released her to make way for the vasilopita.]

I must say, these courses have been a fascinating experience. I simply must offer you the same one day soon, once our circumstances calm. Perhaps once we can confirm a break in the curses, yes?

[She mirrored his toast with another smile, a slight color rising to her cheeks at his praise.]

And to you, my dear Μίδας. I thank you for your kindness, your hospitality, and your friendship. You are a monarch of remarkable quality, my friend, and the waves smiled upon me the day I first met you.

[The wine paired perfectly with the subtle sweetness of the vasilopita. It had a unique aroma she was not expecting. Ah, but of course, a King with connections such as Midas would have access to luxuries like wine aged to this intensity. The Empress took her time enjoying this glass, wishing the night did not have to end... but all good things must.]

[For the second time, the waters at the back of the Marigold part to allow the Empress to step foot on the lower deck. There is a slight hesitance in her step, the memory of the Prince nagging at the back of her mind, but she refused to be swayed by it.

This time she would see her friend.]

@empress-mizuki

[King Midas had just finished preparing dinner for himself and Empress Mizuki. While he made an extra couple servings for the young Valeria on board, and Brutus for bringing it to her (and in gratitude for keeping an eye on things), the table on the upper deck was set for just the two of them. This dinner was overdue, and he was looking forward to a quiet evening with a peer. A friend.]

[Thankfully, the King had done an amount of preparation the day before, but he'd still had to hurry through some of the final steps with the latest surprise guest on board occupying the earlier part of the day. Luckily, everything had been finished on time, and he'd just been carrying up a bottle of wine from his vault when he saw the waters part to bring Mizuki on deck. If he noticed the hesitation in her steps, he did not show it. Midas could not blame anyone for such a thing with the curses that seemed magnetized to his party lately.]

[He smiled as he stepped over to her, hand extended to kiss her knuckle in greeting like he had in parting the last time they spoke,]

Good evening and welcome aboard, Empress. It is truly great to see you, my friend.

[Though his crown sat ever-present atop his head, Midas had dressed slightly more comfortable than usual for this dinner. Far from casual by any standards in one of his suits, but other than the gilded laurel, the gauntlet and the permanent metal on his hand, he forwent any of his armor in hopes that the two of them really could relax this evening.]

I have space set up for us on the upper deck, if you'll come with me.

[With the bottle of wine in his left, he held out his right arm to guide her to the stairs around the side of the yacht]

I hope your journey here was as quick as the waters normally travel between you and I. As well, I hope you are hungry. I've made three courses for our dinner, all of which I hope are to your tastes. If not, don't hold back for my sake.

[thequeryqueen]

👑 Welcome to the Query Queen's Court! 👑

Greetings, my splendid subjects! I am the Query Queen, your royal host in this vibrant realm of curiosity and wonder. Here, I decree that every post shall be a captivating question, beckoning all you noble Tumblrites to share your wisdom, wit, and whimsy.

I roam the land of Tumblr with one mission: to ask random strangers the most unexpected questions. No rhyme, no reason—just pure, unfiltered curiosity.

So hear me, my good people, and heed my royal decree! Feel free to share my contents far and wide, and Answer me with wit and creativity, for no response shall be too bold or too outlandish for this court. Your thoughts are treasures to be shared, and I, your Query Queen, eagerly await your most whimsical replies! ✨

You may use these words to guide you in this place:

Step into my realm - Gimmick guidelines

Her majesty speaks - Queen's voice

Speak to the crown - The questions

Royal Response - The queen giving answers to ask

Out of the character moment - The queen's attendant (the person behind speaking)

[empress-mizuki]

8, 13, 16

8. Do you have any snapshots that you know of? Do you get along with them?

None that I am aware of, but were I to encounter one, I have decided to treat them as equal but different persons. I am myself, and a snapshot would only have the same memories as me to a certain point, then our experiences of life would become wholly different, resulting in two dissimilar entities. I would not treat them unkindly, however. Each individual deserves due respect.

13. How do you handle the Island's changes? Are you generally able to cope with it?

As a part of the River Guard, it is intrinsically understood in our culture that change is inevitable and must be embraced, like the ebb and surge of the tide or the flow of the river. Coping in the face of that philosophy is relatively simple; as the Island changes, so must we all.

Yet there are some constants that keep one grounded. Who one is only changes in part, one's soul does not. The water still remembers the Island as it was and the truth of the Zero Point at its core, just as you remember every version of yourself you have ever been, as well as who you have always been deep within. As the outward changes come, holding on to that core keeps one from being swept away.

16. Have any events and changes in the Island affected your life significantly?

Being forced underground when the Island containing Mega City disappeared was difficult for my people, and they have had to work hard to adjust to surviving this brutal new Island devoid of any vestige of our homeworld. But they have adapted well.

The hardest impact upon me personally is the loss of the voice of the rivers surrounding the Underworld. Never have I encountered such a painful void as the silence of the spirits I had grown up with. I pray for their swift return.

[wasabi-gumdrop]

Kabru has a secret admirer in the castle!

[axoqiii]

🦋 whichever path you choose

[loveisonlyforthebrave8]

[empress-mizuki]

Wonderful! I fear I am not at home, but I will drop by as soon as I can!

Ah!! I can't believe I almost forgot!! Its bunny day!!

Mercury was already picked up by his parent!!

@touch-of-diamond, Venus is ready for pickup!!

@doomed-marine-fn, Mars is ready for pickup!!

@triage-the-doctor, Jupiter is ready for pickup!!

@empress-mizuki, Neptune is ready for pickup!!

And @xlucienwestx, Pluto is ready for pickup!!

[thequeryqueen]

behold

Ah, a distinguished gentleman of the night! Such grace and mystery you possess. You honor me with your presence, dear sir.

[luff-gore]

I had a revelation.

[edenfire]

🔪❤️ oh darling~ ❤️🔪

gorocakes on twt requested goro sitting in akira's lap and who am I to refuse🥰💗💞🌸 they also wanted them in their persona's outfits, and I cannot believe I haven't drawn that yet😳💘💘

if you have a shuake request, always feel free to let me know~~ (tho no promises that I'll be able to draw it^^)

[empress-mizuki]

[Insulted fury almost had actual steam wisping off the Empress as she stormed into the place the puppet had set up. She had every intention of telling the creature off and withdrawing her name, but didn't expect to find an equally irate Ageless there to do the same.

With a white-hot glare at the man, she turned to the puppet.]

I do not know what you think you are playing at, puppet, but this is not amusing. Remove my name at once. I will not be insulted like this.

* @the-oathbound-champion strides into your room, annoyance a thin veil over the anger fizzing in him.*

What is the meaning of this!? I entered my name into your little event under good faith, hoping that I would find someone I could potentially call a friend, and instead you pair me with-- with-- that prideful water-serpent!

Hello, dear champion!

I would not bash the idea so soon. Reads to me like you are something of a prideful serpent yourself, to speak so of my matchmakings!

Have you even talked with her? Perhaps that's where you may find common ground. Never know, hee hee!

[taitavva]

"he's totally flirting with me" (pego voice)

[spacedace]

Found this old snippet and don't really remember of the context for it outside of being a joking exploration of how weird the Fenton/Phantom family tree would seem to outsiders (not even getting into how relationships might be classified differently between the human side & the ghost side)

Anyway gonna drop it here as a prompt lol

Mind the quick reference to dismemberment, there's no gore or detailed description and no one is actually hurt, it's more there for comedic effect, but still wanted to give the heads up on it 👍

---

Nomad motioned to the towering, vaguely vampire-looking buff dude with literal flaming hair what the fuck, “Dan, this is everyone. Everyone this is Dan. He’s my…” Nomad trailed off and blinked, a look of confused befuddlement on her face as she let the sentence hang for too long.

“Huh…” She said considering, looking up at vampire-dude, Dan apparently, with a confused furrow on her brow. “You know this is the first time I’ve ever had to try and explain our relationship to each other and I’m drawing a blank and what exactly to call you. Uncle? Dad? Brother? Like, I think you could technically be considered all three.”

What the fuck did that mean??? Kon snapped his attention over to meet Tim’s masked gaze, the look of wild confusion Kon was sure was on his own face mirrored there. Around the meeting room confused and worried looks were being shared by the rest of the League. Which like, yeah, what in the Habsburgs was happening here for all of those terms to be applicable?

“Well, you’re Danny’s Mirror, so if you consider him your dad then it stands to reason I’m also your father.” Dan said, hand coming up to his - literally flaming, how did that work? - goatee thoughtfully.

“Yeah but like, I call Danny dad just to piss Vlad off.” Nomad countered, toying with her severed arm with her still attached hand. Kon didn’t think he’d ever get over how casual she was about being literally disarmed and just…not caring. “And I definitely don’t see you as a dad. Uncle?”

The giant of a ghost shook his head with a frown, “Implies that Danny and I are brothers, which could work but gives our relationship kind of a weird vibe. I feel more like his father than anything.”

“Gramps, then?”

“No.”

Nomad laughed, “Fair, wouldn’t want to take the title of Grampa away from CW. Besides we’re both half Vlad, so I think brother works best here.” She frowned, looking thoughtful, “Maybe half brother?”

Dan considered, “Half-brother could work. Though it gives Vlad more credit than he deserves.”

“Oh come on, can you imagine the look on his face if we went in together on suing him for child support?” Nomad asked, fanged grin wicked. Dan’s face lit up at the idea, and Kon felt like they were rapidly heading towards the two ghosts running off to go and go torment whoever this Vlad guy was rather then them help deal with the current demonic problem at hand.

“Can you please explain what any of that means?” Kon asked, more a squeak than anything else. He was starting to get a headache.

[thequeryqueen]

would you rather be the sky, the ocean or the forests? 

I don't even need to think about it, Of course I'll be the Sky. How else could I keep an eye on my vast, glorious kingdom? After all the Queen shall always be looked up to.

The sky shall be my reign and let my royal wisdom rain!

[empress-mizuki]

[The Empress had been watching her young charge from the second floor, somewhat in shadow and unnoticed, when she witnessed Kendo's blade trailing water.

Stunned, she darted to the inner railing and dropped down to the ground floor before walking out to the courtyard, looking down at the confused young man.]

Where did you learn to manifest a water blade? I certainly did not teach you such an advanced technique.

*Kendo stepped into the sunlit courtyard, stepping carefully on each stone step. His sword hung at his side, and he looked around carefully, before closing his eyes and centering himself.*

*He bowed slightly, before pausing. In a flash, his katana was in his hands, and he stood in a ready stance. He stepped once, twice, side to side.*

*He then attacked in a blazing blur of steel, weaving in and out of forms, eyes still closed, flowing in a way similar to, well, a river. His breath began to flow in the same manner, his body moving as one with his blade, until with a sudden spin, his blade barely touched a puddle.*

*He noticed the light splash, but when he opened his eyes he was shocked to discover the water trailing along his blade, following its path. He was so shocked, in fact, that he misstepped slightly, and the effect ceased as he dropped his stance.*

What in the spirits..?

[didthekingdieyet]

Did you already hear the news?

We might need to get the crabs ready