#thief queen

[shiningdesignersreflections]

Sorika: Moonlight Watcher

Designer's Reflection: Moonlight Watcher

Obtained: Moonlight Watcher event

Rarity: SSR

Attribute: Purple/Sexy

Awakened Suit: Night Camouflage

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - Fluffy Biscuit

Chapter 2 - Strawberry Shortcakes

Chapter 3 - Candied Cherries

Chapter 4 - Honey Scones

Story - summarized

Sorika grew up in the slums, stealing to survive. But one day, after swiping some biscuits from a bakery, she got caught. The other slum kids rushed out to try and save her, but it was too late. But not all hope was lost - the sheriff recognized what Sorika was trying to do and adopted her.

The police chief had lost his own daughter years ago, so the two bonded quickly. He taught Sorika how to fight, defend herself, and distinguish right from wrong. All was well.

Until one night, when a woman ran to their home, begging for rescue from break-ins. The sheriff took off right away. But the rest of the police force appeared at the house, barging in and destroying everything. Apparently, they caught her father trying to break into a home and harass the family. So they killed him on the spot.

Sorika knew the truth, but the officers didn't care. They stole one of her father's precious heirlooms and arrested her, a slum girl they happily claimed to be an accomplice to crime.

Years later, that same heirloom was up for auction. Sorika waited for the right time to strike. Finally, she broke in. She created enough chaos that no one noticed her - except for one waiter, who claimed she was the Black Queen of legend come to punish sinners.

Sorika walked away with her father's treasure, but not before stopping by the old bakery once more.

Connections

-We've met one of Sorika's descendants in Love Nikki. Sofia loves being an actor and dancer, but as part of the Phantom Thief family, she needed to steal. So, an agent named Lisa pretended to steal the Star Sea dress to give cover for Sofia.

-Qin Yi also grew up in the slums, too. He recounts his poor childhood before joining the troupe in his Reflection for Pollia Mist Silk.

-It's no secret that Pigeon Kingdom is corrupt. Most of Mercury's Reflections from Pigeon, about Pigeon, or including his childhood display horrific abuse and hypocrisy.

Fun Facts

-All the chapters are named after desserts.

-"Biscuit" means "cookie" in Great Britain, and Shining Nikki's translations switch between American and British dialects. So any American wondering why there was "syrup on top" of the biscuit, that's why: it's a cookie, not a bread-roll.

-Sorika is best described as an anti-hero, kind of like Robin Hood: they both commit crimes and do bad things, but only for righteous reasons, like feeding the poor.

[enneadau]

[sassaffrassa]

Burning Down the House of Kallicertes - Moira's Pen x

[lioncourtz]

Louis' feelings for Lestat | THE VAMPIRE CHRONICLES

[captain-hooks]

"What will you do now?"

"Oh, [...] grovel, I suppose."

The Queen of Attolia, Megan Whalen Turner

[klexos]

“Maybe I shouldn’t push my luck,” he said. “I wish you wouldn’t,” Costis said faintly. “Your god might be offended.” ― Megan Whalen Turner, The King of Attolia

I had this scene kicking around in my head for a while so glad to finally have an excuse to get it out!!

[irrel]

"Please," he whispered. His voice was low but clear. "Don't hurt me anymore." Attolia recoiled. Once, as a child, she'd thrown her slipper in a rage and had knocked an amphora of oil from its pedestal. The amphora had been a favorite of hers. It had smashed, and the scent of the hair oil inside had lingered for days. She remembered the scent still, though she didn't know what in the stinking cell had brought it to mind.

Fanart inspired by The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

[emilybeemartin]

Indulgent warm-up sketch I've been noodling with over the past few days as I work on my ~*book cover*~ for Nell O'Dell

[exercise-of-trust]

is it still an incorrect quotes if it's by the author? anyway this post has been living rent free in my head for three years and it's high time i exorcised it with a sketchy lil comic.

[ineedlelittlespace]

I'm not saying it means anything, but I am saying that everyone I've spoken to that likes one of these things likes at least 1-2 of the others.

[shiningdesignersreflections]

Chapter 4: Honey Scones

Narrated by no one.

~~

Five years later...

~~

Narrator: An auction was held inside a magnificent building in the downtown of the Pigeon capital.

Narrator: Among the items today was a priceless design sketch, allegedly once belonging to a remarkable military family.

Narrator: The elite attended. Both the Mercury Group and Neverfall Troupe sent reps, as well.

Narrator: Even Zoey, leader of the Justiciars, attended in person.

Narrator: On top of the building stood a woman as red as a flame.

Narrator: The redhead stood still, her wine red hair fluttering with her sash in the evening wind.

Narrator: She stood on top of the skyscraper like a burning torch, or perhaps a victory banner.

Narrator: Behind her, the full moon shone in brilliant white.

Narrator: She gazed into the distance, watching the bright, bustling streets as well as the lightless slum.

Narrator: Clang. Clang. Clang...

Narrator: The clock struck nine. The redhead on top of the building smirked.

Sorika: It's time.

Narrator: Back to the auction.

Narrator: In the spotlight, an old design sketch rested in a finely crafted glass case.

Narrator: It captured the attention of nearly all present. No word was spoken in an atmosphere full of desire and greed.

Narrator: The silence was broken by a loud noise, as a giant window pane shattered and glass shards scattered everywhere.

Narrator: One after another, the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling shattered.

Narrator: The usually reserved upper class fought to leave, while dodging the scattering pieces.

Narrator: The lights on the wall cut out and the last chandelier shattered, plunging the venue into utter darkness and chaos.

Narrator: However, somebody kept cool in the chaos.

Zoey: Interesting, a gatecrasher.

Narrator: Finally, the backup generator kicked in, and dim lights re-lit the room.

Narrator: The heavy, sealed glass case on stage seemed untouched, still giving off a cold glow.

Narrator: But the design sketch inside was gone.

Police Captain: Who did this? Who stole the item?

Waiter: It was her! It was her!

Narrator: An attendant near the stage shouted, face pale with fear.

Waiter: It was the Black Queen! I saw her glide in, wearing a red and black dress... It was the Black Queen who took the sketch!

Police Captain: What's this Black Queen nonsense?! All of you, come with me and search the building!

Zoey: Hmph, her again.

Narrator: Zoey got up amid the mess and smirked.

Corleone: Are we leaving?

Zoey: Of course. No chance of catching her now.

Narrator: Zoey took her eyes off a small blade on the wall. She turned around and left without looking back.

Narrator: Several districts away, a tall, slender, expressionless woman walked through the dim cobblestone passage.

Narrator: Her long, wine red hair was tied into a ponytail behind her head.

Narrator: The shops on this street were closed except for the bakery.

Sorika: Any bread left, ma'am?

Lady Shopkeeper: We're out, Miss... But we can still make honey scones.

Sorika: I'll take some, please. They're a gift.

Lady Shopkeeper: Oh, sure. They'll be ready in a minute.

Lady Shopkeeper: Did you hear about the mysterious thief who stole another valuable tonight, Miss?

Sorika: Is that so?

Lady Shopkeeper: I'm sure the thief was sent by the Black Queen to punish the nobles and take their stuff, if you ask me.

Lady Shopkeeper: There were witnesses who saw the Black Queen, even! How frightening!

Sorika: Oh?

Lady Shopkeeper: They even said the thief committed many bad deeds on top of stealing, and is wanted in a lot of places...

Sorika: I see.

Lady Shopkeeper: The scones are ready, Miss. Would you like to try one?

Narrator: The lady of the shop handed over a scone smeared with honey. Sorika took a bite and savored the burst of sweetness.

Narrator: She ate the warm, sweet pastry, while hiding the design sketch that was robbed from her father under a vest.

Narrator: Combined, they let the stoic Sorika relax.

Lady Shopkeeper: Is it good? Are you from here, Miss? How should I address you?

Sorika: My name is Sorika, which means righteousness.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

[mydairpercabeth]

Percy’s love and admiration of Sally just makes me tear up every time I think about them. Percy literally went to the underworld and defied the gods to get his mother back. Sally making a point to ensure Percy knew who he was so that when it was time for him to join the world of the gods, he wouldn’t be swayed. The way Percy can acknowledge that his mom did her best despite everything and appreciates her. He finally meets his dad and all he wants to know is if he loved his mom. Their relationship is the backbone of the first book and Sally is who made Percy the way he is. I literally cant wait to see what they do with them next season.

[sizeofyoursoul]

How many times is she going to use the word "preternatural"?!

Interview with the Vampire: 13

The Vampire Lestat: 15

The Queen of the Damned: 13

Tale of the Body Thief: 39

Memnoch the Devil: 15

The Vampire Armand: 16

Merrick: 11

Blood and Gold: 12

Blackwood Farm: 1

Blood Canticle: 4

Prince Lestat: 28

Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis: 9

Blood Communion: 14

[saja-star]

i am re-reading the thief and one thing i adore is how the book takes pains to establish gen as uncool up front. he starts off in prison, and it is not sexy. he has sores, he is weak from lack of exercise, he stinks. he's there because he loudly confessed to a crime in front of a bunch of witnesses. he is genuinely afraid of the magus's threats. he leaves prison and immediately is crying, snot streaming down his face crying, because he hasn't seen direct sunlight in so long and his eyes hurt. he's going to be your favorite most badass character of all time, but he first we have to establish that he's pretty lame, just to balance things out.

[dehautdesert]

Doing a Queen's Thief reread and I gotta say I always love how obvious it is, in retrospective, that Gen is an educated upper class person.

He opens the narrative with nuanced thoughts about politics and an extensive overview of a building's history and how it ties into a country's broader history and you're supposed to go, "Yup, that's an illiterate street urchin there".

It's also fun that, on a meta level, it really plays up to your genre expectations: many a mediocre fantasy book does have its barely literate farmboy infodumping about the setting in a highly OOC way because the author is desperate for a way to convey that information.

[captain-hooks]

Eugenides leaving earrings at the altar of his god then leaving earrings for Irene I'm firing myself into the sun