literature

Event5: An Archer's Heart

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            The fur on Amanda’s neck rose even as she pulled her scarf closer. It was warmer than previous days—spring was approaching quickly—but still much too cold for her liking. A shudder ran down her spine and she tugged at her jacket. She would likely head inside soon.

            Usually, she would be dressed in a more traditional piece of clothing, since the costume was as much a part of archery as the act itself. But she was not putting on a show.

            She shook her head took a sharp breath, running a gloved paw across her somewhat-dusty mulberry bow. It had been quite a while since she’d taken it from its case. Thankfully, she had correctly guessed that she would have more time to use it while staying at the palace and had packed it with the rest of her luggage. Well, whether she had brought it or not, she would have been able to borrow a bow from the armory. Despite that, she preferred using her own.

            Amanda tugged and released the string. A satisfying twang rang across the otherwise-silent winter air. Smiling faintly, she slowly reached behind her shoulder and carefully slid an arrow from her quiver. She notched it on the bowstring and focused her gaze on her target.

            She firmly cleared her mind. No more coldness, no more wind. Her lungs no longer felt frozen with each intake of breath. She raised her bow, pulled the string to the base of her ear, and paused when the furret servant beside the target hastily curtseyed. With a small smirk, Amanda puffed an ember of fire onto the arrow and let it fly.

            It hit the direct center of the eye.

            Pleased, her ears perking somewhat, Amanda lowered her bow. She turned and gave her own, albeit clumsy, curtsey with the hem of her coat. Back home, the show of respect was kneeling on one knee with a fist across the heart, but customs were different in Aether. She caught a glimpse of black fur and felt both relieved and somewhat disheartened that it wasn’t the King approaching. “Good afternoon, Prince Nicholas.”

            The Prince acknowledged her with a tip of his head and a smile. “Good afternoon, Miss…Pyralis.”

            “Please, Your Highness, call me Amanda.”  She straightened just as awkwardly as she’d curtseyed. The cold reached her again and she shivered, curling up into her coat. Prince Nicholas, himself clad in only a light jacket, regarded her with a hint of amusement. The moment passed quickly, however, and he corrected his face into a more neutral, cordial expression.

            “Amanda, then. You may call me Nicholas yourself.” He motioned for her to continue.

            Her eyebrows furrowed and she turned her focus back on the target. The furret, she noticed, had put out the fire from the earlier and removed her first arrow. A black scorch mark marred the center.

            Her paws shook, not from the cold but from the feeling of eyes on the back of her head. She drew a shaky breath and closed her eyes, forcing all foreign thoughts and feelings from her mind. It took longer than earlier. Before she could fully concentrate, she picked up a hint of worry, or perhaps disappointment? Gritting her teeth, she finally pressed it away and opened her eyes, staring across the snow-covered field. Once again, she selected and placed an arrow, raised her bow, pulled back, focused, and released. And again, direct center.

            Prince Nicholas applauded with the politeness associated with archery tournaments, a subdued gesture of appreciation intended to compliment the archer’s achievement while not breaking their composure. He stepped forward, removing his own bow from his shoulder.

            The pyroar courteously stepped back a few feet to give the Prince more space—she’d heard that he was a good shot and wanted to allow him the best conditions. His ear twitched. He released too soon, the arrow planting itself a ring above the center. Cursing under his breath, he raised his bow once more, his ears somewhat flattened. Amanda nodded slowly as Prince Nicholas overcompensated and released too late, the arrow a ring below the center. “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked quietly.

            The umbreon glanced at her, his eyes narrowed in confusion. Then his eyes lit up in understanding and he let out a soft chuckle, lowering his bow with a shake of his head. “You really are an archer, Miss. I’m impressed.”

            “My father was a good teacher.” Amanda tipped her head faintly and gestured for him to continue, if he so desired. He studied her for a short moment, then started walking back toward the palace. After a few steps, he glanced back and gave a slight upward jerk of his head. Amanda hurried after him, slowing as she padded in time beside him. Nicholas stayed silent, adjusting his bow across his shoulder again, until they had almost reached the building.

            “Would you like to play chess?” he asked. “If I remember correctly, chess originated in Samudaay. It’s a popular game amongst soldiers and housewives, right?”

            Hiding a giggle behind a paw, Amanda nodded. “That’s true. My mother was very good at chess and taught me everything I know. I accept the challenge.”

            The Prince gave a hint of a smile and stared ahead of him, falling silent once more. The pair entered the main hall and each took off their coat and jacket at their own pace, maneuvering their bows and quivers and eventually hanging their extra articles on the crooks of their arms. Thankfully the fireplaces and torches were in full blaze along the walls, taking away most of the bite of the snowy air.

            “Who taught you how to shoot?” Nicholas asked, leading the way to a small lounge. He pulled out a chair for her, which she settled into with a thankful nod. “If I remember correctly, you’re not from a noble family.”

            “That’s where you’re mistaken, Nicholas,” Amanda replied kindly, keeping her eyes trained on him as he sat in his own chair across from her. “My father is one of the Captains of the Guard, and therefore a noble by position. When I was a child, whenever he was on training duty, he let me practice with the others, even though women aren’t allowed to become soldiers. I’m pretty sure that’s not the case in Aether.”

            Prince Nicholas shook his head. “No, women are allowed to be warriors here. And in many other countries, in fact.”

            “I suppose Samudaay is a bit different from everywhere else, then,” Amanda said with a shrug. “No matter—being a soldier is not in my interest.”

            “That’s a shame. I think you would be good at it.” The umbreon busied himself with the chess board and pieces. “White or brown?”

            Amanda frowned slightly, her eyebrows somewhat furrowed. She couldn’t tell if he was embarrassed or if the earlier problem had resurfaced in his mind. Either way, she hoped that the Prince would open up to her. Keeping problems inside had never proved healthy. “Brown, if you don’t mind.”

            “So you’re a defensive player, then.” Nicholas pawed over his opponent’s pieces and started to carefully set up his own side.

            “I wouldn’t say that.” She picked up a pawn and admired a rattata carving—back home the pawns were bunnelby—before placing it in its spot. “I’d rather call it reaction.”

            “Learn the opponents strategy and respond accordingly,” the Prince mused. His eyes couldn’t hide his eagerness, no matter how he tried to mask it with royal demeanor. “I’m interested in seeing where this will go.” He picked up one of his own rattata pawns and moved it precisely but lightly to its new position. “After you, Miss.”

            Amanda mirrored him with a faint smile. “I’ll have you know, I won’t go easy on you just because you’re a Prince.” She paused, then added hesitantly, “I’m assuming you would prefer that.”

            He looked at her in surprise, his ears twitching upward. Focusing his gaze to the board, he said, “Yes. I’d like that.” There it was, that hint of ambivalence. Perhaps he wanted to like her but didn’t want to seem to favor her. Perhaps he just wasn’t sure how to act around her, a nobody tailor trying to become his mother.

            She felt a small pang at that. That poor kid. Well, she didn’t want to presume, and she definitely didn’t want to pressure him. But she did hope the Prince would open up a bit and let her help, if she could. “You and my son seem very similar,” she started somewhat nervously, staring at her pieces as she decided how to counter his most recent move. “He was stubborn and wanted to figure things out on his own. But…well, everyone needs help sometimes. Sometimes he couldn’t fix it on his own. Sometimes he just…needed someone to talk to.” She hoped it sounded open-ended enough, that he could respond only if he wanted to.

            The next few rounds were played with only the click of pieces hitting the marble board and the fire crackling nearby. Nicholas’s ears had, over time, fallen closer to the sides of his head and he refused to look up at the pyroar. They each sacrificed a pawn and continued their careful considerations.

            “They…don’t really understand,” the Prince finally said. Amanda looked up at him, ears perked. “Pokemon in general. They say things like… Like, because I’m a Prince, I don’t know real pain. Because I can have anything I want.” He growled softly and moved a bishop sharply. “That because I’m a Prince, it shouldn’t hurt that I lost my mother and sister. And that I should be happy to have the chance to get a new mother. That most families don’t get that chance.”

            He looked at Amanda with a hint of worry. “I don’t mean that I don’t like any of you. It’s just…” He sighed and averted his gaze, staring at the fire. “I still miss my mother. And I guess I don’t really know why I have to get another.” His paws gripped his knees. “They didn’t even ask me about it, you know. It was just…all of a sudden, women are coming in from everywhere, all ‘Oh sweet Nicholas, we should learn more about each other in case I become Queen’.” He paused. “I like you, Elaina, and Quetzal for that reason. Not getting to know me because you should. Not even coming to look for me. Just…being here.”

            His mouth twisted and he bared his teeth. “Not to mention, they…other Pokemon talk about how I should take advantage of all the beautiful women here. Or that they expect me to. It’s not— I don’t— what gives them the right— the nerve to say such a thing? We’re all Pokemon. We have feelings and morals and— and—” He let out a frustrated sound and stood, staring painfully at her. “I don’t want you to be objectified like that, and it’s frustrating, and they don’t understand.”

            Silence stretched between them for a moment. When she determined that he wouldn’t say anything more, Amanda started, “You know, when my husband divorced me sixteen years ago, all these Pokemon kept thinking it must have been my fault, that I must have done something that my husband didn’t like. That I was…promiscuous.” She scoffed. “I loved my husband more than I loved anyone, when he was around. I would never do something like that. But I was judged by them because of the way I dress.” She let out a harsh chuckle. “‘Showing my skin.’ I was still young when he left. I’m still young now.” Suddenly unsure of what she was going to say, she stopped, her ears lowering in thought.

            “I guess what I mean is that Pokemon thought I wasn’t serious,” she continued slowly. “That I was looking for a night. But in reality, I was looking for someone who would be serious with me. I still am. I…I guess you could say that’s part of why I’m here. My sister—Samantha, I mean—said it would be good for me. Got us on the road before I could say anything.” Breathing in slowly, she smiled gently, leaning forward and resting her chin on her paw. “She’s right, you know. I was starting to lose hope, but now…there’s at least a possibility of being loved again. And even if it doesn’t happen, well, this is a chance of a lifetime. I get to experience things I never would’ve experienced before.”

            Amanda’s brows furrowed as she realised she’d gotten off topic once more. “Basically,” she started again, “I’m no stranger to objectification. In your case, as someone of higher standing, Pokemon just won’t understand you. Rather, what it means to be in that kind of position. Like you said, we’re all Pokemon. And as a Pokemon, you should know how difficult it is to understand someone you haven’t met or engaged personally. Pokemon are petty. It’s how life works.”

            She smiled encouragingly. “Worry about your future mother when the time comes. For now, just try to have fun. Get to know Pokemon of different races. This is a rare chance, right? So ask away, darling, and know that if you ever need more nice curtains you can always ask and I’ll be right there.” Her eyes shone a bit, hoping he’d catch on to that inkling of a joke.

            Prince Nicholas was smiling, at least, which was a small accomplishment. The smile faded fairly quickly, though. “But what am I supposed to do about it?” he asked, sitting back down and slumping in a manner uncharacteristic for a Prince. “How can I make them understand?”

            “I don’t think you can,” Amanda replied with a shrug. “You can’t make a Pokemon think differently that easily, especially if you’re the one who confronts them. They’ll think you’re just being defensive.” She gave a wry smile. “Believe me, I know.”

            The Prince was silent for a moment. “How are you okay with this?”

            “Lots of practice.” Amanda, sensing the subject would break his concentration only a few minutes more, made her countermove. “It’s up to you, really, to figure it out. But once you identify a problem, you’re leagues closer to fixing it.”

            “But it’s— They’re insulting you!” He shook his head roughly. “And you just let them?”

            Amanda considered a moment. “Well, it’s not like they’re doing anything to me. Just talking. The moment they act on it, I just have to make sure I’m trained enough to fight them off.” With a small smile, she gestured to the board. “Your move.”

            The Prince still looked a bit confused, but lowered his eyes down to the board. After a moment of contemplation, he picked up his knight and took one of her pawns. Amanda touched her rook to retaliate, then paused. “Oh.” She removed her paw slowly, her ears lowering somewhat. “Oh.” She studied the board and cursed in awe. Nicholas’s ears pointed upward, surprised but not scandalised. Quietly humming to herself, Amanda swept her gaze across the board then brought it up to his. “You’re good.”

            Nicholas gave a light laugh and straightened, folding his paws on the table. “Are you ready to take me seriously?”

            The pyroar raised an eyebrow. “You think I haven’t been?”

            “You’ve been playing cautiously. But you’re a risk-taker. If your personality says anything about how you play, then you’ve just been testing your limits.” The umbreon leaned forward slightly, a frown crossing his lips. “You don’t have to be afraid to be yourself. My father and I won’t condemn you. We’re different Pokemon from different backgrounds. And I personally…well…” He averted his gaze, ears twitching. “Thank you, for what you said to me. And for treating me, mostly, like an equal.” He glanced back at her with an almost timid smile. “I’d like to get to know you a bit better, if you’re not too busy with Gaius’s tasks.”

            Speechless, Amanda stared at the Prince. An overwhelming feeling of warmth filled her chest and she wasn’t sure whether she wanted to smile or cry. It was…gratitude, she decided, and love. With the firm belief that no matter what the outcome she would continue to keep in touch with the young Prince, she smiled, moved her rook into the line of fire, and said, “I have all day.”

For :iconpokemon-of-avalon: c:

This fulfills the Iron Maiden and Baby Mine portions of the event.
2732 words = 2700 Cressents(?)

In terms of Nicholas…um, I just really hope I didn't botch him completely >n>" I hadn't actually planned on showing their conversation, just having pictures of them interacting, but then this just kinda happened. ^^" So…sorry if this is totally out of character for him. (And also sorry if there was anyone else who didn't have an "appointment" with him that I didn't mention. I likely just overlooked it whoops)
Took some creative liberties with Samudaay since there's only four citizens and I don't actually know who they are… In ancient India, women were generally respected and allowed spiritual leadership positions, but were mostly kept at home, not supposed to fight. Chess was also fairly popular (and if I'm not mistaken, originated) in ancient India. The archery thing, and the show of respect…I didn't actually look into them in terms of history, but I felt they suited her. (History's not my forte in the slightest…)

Prince Nicholas (c) LittleWhiteWolfAngel / Pokemon-of-Avalon
(Mentioned) Elaina (c) AriaSnow and Quetzal (c) Tesla-Stargrazer
© 2015 - 2024 LeafiaPrince
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Marlo404's avatar
Really touching, I can tell how much work you put into this! Amanda would make an amazing mother for Nicholas. I feel like I should have focused more Nicholas's feelings in my story, but I think Quetzal ended up coming off more like a friend than a possible mother figure. ^^' 
I love the whole chess idea, I think the way you portrayed Nicholas was very accurate :3