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Like this post if you’d like to interact with an Azura from Fire Emblem Fates!

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( 🎶) Azura takes her son’s hand and smiles at him. She knew that offering to sing their song together would perk him right up. The water maiden knows how special these moments are with her son, and how rare they will be once her baby arrives, so she wants to make a conscious effort to spend as much time with Shigure as possible. 

Alright darling. But can you promise your mama that you’ll go right to sleep when we’re done? 

   [ the little one climbs in, yawning once more as he settles in–not lying down, not just yet, but very, very close to sleep. he reaches to grasp his mother’s hand in his own once she pulls up his blankets, not wanting to let go just yet. ]           [ at mention of their song, shigure perks up immediately, beaming. ] Our song! Oh, Mama, yes please!! [ he bounces a little, clearly excited. ]

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@thievinggentleman​

( 🎶) ~You are the ocean’s grey waves/ destined to seek / life beyond, the shore / just out of reach.../ She is standing on the bank of the lake, singing. The pendant around her neck starts to glow softly, though it is not quite visible to anyone who many be watching from a distance. 

Yet the waters ever change. / Flowing like time. / The path is, yours to climb.../ 

Azura sees her reflection in the water, but it appears that the gate to Valla is closed now. She will not be able to reenter for another few months. This is concerning to the princess, but she will not dwell on it. It is better to take time to prepare than to rush into battle. She instead makes a mental note to report this to Kamui when she returns to camp. 

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( 🎶) Azura isn’t bothered by Takumi’s presence at all. It seems that it is he is more uncomfortable with her presence than anything. He has never been very willing to stick around when they are in the same vicinity and it seems that now is not an exception to that pattern. She doesn’t mind even if he was listening, though Azura is slightly curious as to why he came here if he wanted quiet. It’s not like she was singing quietly at all. Whatever Takumi’s reasons for choosing this spot, she figures he wouldn’t tell her of all people.

Azura gathers her papers and stands up, preparing to give Takumi his privacy. It’s fine. I was just finishing up here. The water princess answers softly. The spot is yours, br---Prince Takumi. She also knows that he doesn’t like her to call him by his name so informally. Even though they lived in the same palace for many years. She doesn’t want to prolong the conversation, so she simply starts walking away. She would never admit that she is secretly hoping for him to stop her. 

In hindsight, Takumi wasn’t expecting to stumble into one of Azura’s music sessions. Actually, had he known she would be here, he would have gone somewhere else to read. Anywhere else. He can’t stand these sudden, almost comical awkward situations that seem to find him wherever he goes, whatever he does. 

“L-Look, I wasn’t listening, okay? So don’t get any ideas!” He sounds like a bratty child who’s just been caught stealing coolies from the kitchen. “I–I was just looking for a place to read, okay? And it’s hard to find quiet around here sometimes!” 

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Shigure realized as time passed how smol his mother was, but she used to be so tall in his eyes.

Happy Birthday, Shigure!

Do not repost/edit/reprint/reuse.

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( 🎶) Azura smiles fondly at her son as he walks over to his bed. She pulls back the covers for him so that he can climb in. As soon as he’s ready, she will pull the covers over him and make sure that he’s comfortable.

Okay Shigure. If you’re not tired now, perhaps you will be after we sing our song? She knows that he loves to sing their “special song”. Hopefully he will never have to use it the way his mother does. 

   [ shigure sat still the entire time his mother was reading, completely entraced. no matter how many times he was read this story, no matter how many times he gasped as the young man correctly guessed his princess, he would never grow tired of the story. he adored it, as he did all his books, but for some reason he had fixated on this one. ]

         [ his mother closed the book, urging him up and out of her lap for bed. he pouted, muttering his disappointment. ] Oh-kay… [ he mutters, sliding out of her lap to lead her to his bed. he tried to hide his little yawn, but there was little use hiding from his mother. ] Mmmm…’m not tired.

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stress drawing. gwendolyn and azura are both blue princesses with spears so i…combined that. kind of.

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( 🎶) Following Kaze’s agreement to follow her to her tent, Azura sets off in the direction of her temporary home. She briefly realizes that no one except her has ever been into her tent, but she supposed that it wasn’t a big deal if she let someone in once in a while. Especially if they didn’t stay there long enough to snoop about her personal belongings. Since she was only going there now to grab a few things, she wasn’t too worried. Besides, Kaze was a respectful man. He wasn’t the type to snoop in a ladies belongings without her permission. 

As they ascended over the hill that led down into the lodging section of the camp, he asked her a question. Something about teaching others? Azura had to think for a moment. Had she ever taught another how to dance? She remembered being taught the ways of Hoshido and Nohrian ceremonial dancing...but had she...? 

I...hmm. Azura has to think a little harder. You know, I believe there IS one person who I taught very briefly. Princess Sakura. She was having a difficult time learning the steps to the traditional Hoshidan ceremonial dance, so Hinoka and I helped her. I love to teach. But I haven’t ever formally taught someone how to dance before. So this will be a welcome challenge for me once I evaluate how you learn.

They’ve arrived at her tent by now. Azura opens the front flap to beckon Kaze inside and then follows him in. The tent itself is only one open room, with her futon rolled up in the corner, a portable piano off to the right, and a chest of drawers off to the left. She also has a large area rug in the center so that she doesn’t have to feel the cold hard ground under the tent when she wakes up in the morning. It isn’t very much, but then again, Azura never needed much to be happy. Before anything can happen, she’s over by the piano, digging through sheets of what look to be music. But there are also images sprinkled in throughout. 

Azura lets out a noise of triumph when she finds what she is looking for. It looks to be several sheets of paper. She then goes across the room to the chest of drawers and opens the very bottom one. She doesn’t make it easy to see what’s inside. She lets out another happy noise and removes a simple block of hollowed out wood and a stick to strike it with. Her favorite time keeping tool. She also pulls out a small wooden flute like instrument. The most important instrument in the dance that she wants to teach to Kaze first. 

Alright. I have all I need. Shall we find a place to start practicing? She smiles at at the ninja to let him know that she is ready to head out. 

“ But no, of course! Please - lead the way. “

     He nods and bows as if he had been given an order, arms shifting from their cross to a hold above the heart. The action is far too brief to allow any chances of decline - the moment she’s stepped past him his body is unbent, eyes and smile both bright with an earnest anticipation. 

     What were they getting? What would she need? Instruments? Hopefully she wouldn’t ask of him to play; the closest he had ever been to any sort of music outside of the army’s influence were festivals and private gatherings for royals.  

     It’s a far-off, impossible dream, but he entertains the thought for himself regardless: the idea of listening to the shamisen and understanding its language, the wonder of merging his heartbeats with a drum’s own. The life of a shinobi, if not slashed through with the din and clash of metal clangs, was always so hushed under choking silences - just once he wanted to be able to join himself with the vibrant emotion that a song’s sound could offer.

   “ Milady… pardon my curiosity, but have you ever taught others? …Danced with others? Surely with your skill you must have been well-received and beloved within courts. “

     His pace quickens to reach the back of her side - enough that she is still forwards and leading but now respectfully admired from a distance. If only he had been a retainer to the royals like his brother; surrounded in the extravagance and visual lavish of the kingdom! Participating meant nothing when serving witness was powerful enough.

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( 🎶) She can hear the distinct tone of singing voice all the way from where she stands about twenty feet away. Maybe she is just fine tuned that way. 

Hello, Shigure. What are you humming so happily? She asks upon approaching her son. She loves seeing him happy, after all. 

&& any

   [ he’s humming lightly as he works–no distinguishable song, just a string of notes he finds pleasing. ]

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( 🎶) Azura lets out a breath that she’s been holding, glad to see that Kaze is relaxing a bit. She has never been comfortable when people are uncomfortable around her. Perhaps it was being ignored in Castle Krakenburg all those years before her kidnapping. And even in Hoshido when she was accepted by Queen Mikoto, it took some time for her new siblings to be comfortable around her. Seeing Kaze relaxing now brings back her smile. 

The water princess looks around for any sign of the time. She hadn’t been outside very long before Kaze approached her, so it was still not quite time for supper. That being noted, she did have some time to spend with Kaze now, getting started on his dance lessons. 

It is not a matter of willingness, Kaze. Azura said. I am always willing to teach someone who wishes wholeheartedly to learn, no matter the subject. She smiles at him and nods at his second question. Yes, I believe I am free right now. Would you mind if we go back to my tent first? There are a few things I would like to get. 

Oh.

     His eyes brighten when he realizes she’s both correct in her statement and wonderfully gentle in her acceptance. When his view raises it’s above a smile brimming wide with both relief and a new-found enthusiasm, how wise she was! She had already proven herself to be quite a respectable teacher just in this moment alone, and he treasured it.  

   “ Well - er, yes! You’re completely right. “

     His enthusiasm and excitement manages to brighten into soft laughter, a lighthearted albeit still-slightly-nervous chuckle at his own self. He had never imagined that the lessons would be accepted so swiftly, so casually, and at though his quiet laughs halt completely at the sound of her second question, he can’t help the smile and bright glimmer in his eyes that remain.

   “ Whenever you would be willing, milady. Are you free now? “

     He isn’t sure whether to stand or sit, to kneel or bow, and though he’s well aware of the mishaps that were bound to happen in the close future out of his cluelessness, he prayed that she would be gracious enough to forgive him as she had now. 

     Dancing. 

     The thought in itself was still humorous to him. He knew his feet well, he was more than capable of pushing his body to do what others couldn’t manage, and yet at the first beat of a dance he could trip and collapse as if a rope had been strung taught around his ankles.

   “ I’ll try my best to please. “ 

     Lady Azura was far beyond the simple descriptor of ‘ kind. ‘ If anyone were to teach and see him in his full awkward bashfulness, it would be alright if it were her. She was quiet, just as he was. She wouldn’t be one to tell.

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   would you please reblog this if you and/or your muse consider platonic sensual intimacy to be valid? if you believe in platonic kisses (even if it’s on the lips), platonic cuddling, sensual intimacy with no pressure to be sexual? – stuff like that? o~o

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(🎶) Azura couldn’t help but smile reassuringly at the ninja. She did not hold it against Kaze that he had no previous knowledge of the art of dance. Frankly; she would have been surprised if he did know even a little bit about it. To the best of her knowledge, he had grown up in a ninja village, where he was taught how to be well, a ninja. It was not surprising that they had not taught their villagers the arts. 

Unlike Kaze, Azura had grown up as royalty. First in Nohr, then Hoshido. Their dancing styles were quite different, so Azura had extensive knowledge in the ceremonial dances of Hoshido, as well as the formal dance style of Nohr. Anything Kaze wished to learn, she would be able to teach to some extent. 

She had also spoken to the green-haired ninja a few times while growing up in Hoshido. Their conversations had never lasted more than a few sentences, so his background had always intrigued her. Teaching him to dance would be a great gateway into learning more about her fellow army mate. 

Oh no, it’s quite alright, Kaze. Azura says with a smile on her face. I am not offended by your lack of knowledge on dance. If you already knew, where would the need to teach be, right? She looked around the camp. Now that she had accepted his request, where would be a good place to actually practice? 

When would you like to start learning? I am not very busy outside of training and war council meetings. Azura explained. 

“ Ah, well… “

     His view lowers again at her question, smile breaking into a faint, anxious laugh. Yes, there were many. More than he could ever imagine, but such was precisely the reason for his shame. 

   “ You see milady, I have no experience in any forms. Not even one… Even the word dance may as well be foreign to me. “

     Oof, a heavy confession to admit - he looks up at her like a lost child might, abandoned and ready for a scolding at his cluelessness, but even through his docility is a friendly, familiar comfort. Azura, Lady Azura, another he had sworn to protect with his life in his heart besides dozens of others. Certainly he could have asked Laslow - but where would the nostalgia be? 

     As bashful as he is he’s honored to even stand before her presence; elegant goddess who tread the earth on her own two feet, that she would be willing to teach in itself was a blessing that he was far undeserving of! Though he had rarely if ever gotten the chance to speak with her as she stayed in Hoshido, she had always been captivating. 

     She was a quiet mystery to him. A pool of water that shimmered, translucent and far too deep in body to reveal what secrets that rested sunken at the bottom. 

     Yes, he could have asked Laslow. He could have asked anybody - certainly a few others may have held off-talents that he had never been aware of, - but doubtless a lesson from them wouldn’t have satisfied him. 

     He wanted the soft and easy steps of the barefooted princess that enchanted everybody. 

   “ I apologize for my ignorance. I don’t mean to insult your level of skill by approaching you bare in knowledge… but should you still be willing to teach, then please. Anything will do, even a simple word on the topic. “

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(🎶) Azura was long accustomed to reading this particular tale to her son by now. It had been a favorite of his ever since the first night that she had read it to him. The book itself was a gift from Princess Sakura, along with several other famous Hoshidan children’s stories. So that first night when Azura let her son pick one out, he immediately drifted towards The Princess Who Was Hidden Underground. And the rest, as they say, was history. 

The story was a short story about the youngest son of a king who unlike his brothers, grew the wealth that his father gave him upon his death. When he married and had a daughter, he wanted to protect her more than anything, so he had a palace built underground, where he locked her up to keep her safe. He then sent out heralds to explain that whoever should find his daughter shall have her to be their wife. 

After many tried and many failed to find the princess, a cunning young man came. With the help of a herdsman, he disguised himself as a lamb with golden fleece. The herdsman took him to the King and lent the ‘lamb’ to him for a three day period. After borrowing the ‘lamb’ the King took it to his daughter as a gift, giving the young man ample opportunity to learn of the underground castle’s location as well as how to enter.

When the King left for the night, the young man removed his sheepskin disguise and reveled himself to the princess. She found him quite handsome and quickly fell in love with him. She explained to the young man that his battle was not yet won, as her father would turn her and several other maidens into ducks for the young man to choose among them which one was the princess. She explained that she would be the duck who was cleaning her wings among the others. 

After the three days had passed, the King returned for the ‘lamb’, so the young man returned with the king (without his knowledge that the lamb was actually a person). Shortly after, the young man came to the King and asked to complete the challenge for the princess’s hand. After successfully guessing the key word to enter the castle, he was requested to choose the princess from among other maidens who had been turned into ducks. As promised, the princess was the one cleaning her wings. The young man guessed this, and the King, while furious that he had been bested, had no choice but to allow his daughter to marry the young man. And they lived together happily from then on. 

Azura closed the cover of the book once she finished reading and looked down at Shigure. Alright, darling. Time for bed. She said, setting the book aside and gently lifting the little boy and setting him down so that she could stand. She adjusted her back (due to the largeness of her stomach) and walked slowly over to her son’s bed so that she could pull back the covers for him. 

   [ the little boy nestled as best he could against his mother, resting a hand across her stomach as if holding his unborn sibling as well, including them. he rest his head against her, smiling happily as she started reading. ]

        [ the smile on his face widened as the story got underway, this tale had been one of his favorites for some time, because it was a good tale and had a very happy ending. the idealistic child that he is, shigure finds stories like these to be his favorite. ]

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( 🎶) Kaze’s nervousness around her is throwing her for a loop. She honestly doesn’t know how to behave in order to give the ninja the idea that he has no need to be nervous around her. It is true that she is technically royalty, and he is simply a ninja in the army, however in this war effort no one is higher than another, aside from the royal family and their retainers, and of course, Kamui. They are all equals and would willingly lay down their lives for each other should the situation demand so. Azura knows this to be true, even if Kaze is unaware of that fact. 

So now; as he stands before her, his request for her to teach him how to dance out in the open, Azura is faced with a choice. She has already expressed her interest in teaching him, as she loves to teach. But it has become a matter of what to teach Kaze, as he has not specified a style of dance to learn. Not to mention that Azura’s specific style of dancing is very unique and infused with tremendous power. 

His statement about her dancing surpassing that of the other members of the army catches her by surprise. Surely, if Laslow heard that he would disagree, as he is also fond of the art of dance. Azura does understand though why Kaze would approach her instead of Laslow. 

I appreciate you saying so, Kaze. Azura says in thanks for his compliment. Dancing is indeed a large part of my fighting technique, as it often catches enemies off guard as well as directing my technique in a fight...She explains. The Vallite princess stands and picks up her book off of the ground, clutching it to her chest. That being said, I would be honored to teach you. Though if I may ask... Was there a specific form of dance you would like to learn? After all; there are many many types of dance out there. 

Azura gives Kaze a reassuring smile, hoping that it will assure him that she means no harm and that he has no need to be nervous around her. 

For only a moment, his head lowers with his hands hiding away the red of his embarrassment.

     Hearing his request in full only demonstrated how both awkward and laughable it was. Perhaps, just maybe, this truly had been a mistake - ah, but too late now. He had already voiced his interest and here it stood waiting for confirmation. What more was there to do other than clear his throat and proceed in his foolish bravery? 

   “ If…if you don’t mind. I’m terribly curious. “

     Terribly nervous, just as well. Was this really acceptable? A noble and a ninja, dancing with one another? Was it even acceptable for a ninja to learn anything beyond battle? This time certainly could have been spent training, and Kaze wasn’t even certain as to whether he could steady himself for the sake of a lesson.

     His eyes widen, however, the moment the words of her last sentence finish.

   “ Do I feel you’re… Milady, I have no doubt that you’re the finest dancer to every member of the army! “

     Did she doubt herself? Unless the concern lay within him and not her; such was always a possibility ( and an unfortunately likely one at that. ) Though she’s already expressed her willingness to teach, he knows he’s in for a stumbling attempt at elegance and awkward laughter.

     Still, he would try his best, and in the determination to his cause was a growing calm that washed and chilled his embarrassment. 

   “ I simply thought that I might seek out a hobby or two, and what better way to learn of music than consult one of the most breath-taking dancers I knew? Even in battle it seems that you form a routine with the enemy. I had felt that there was much I could learn from such grace. “

     And so his feelings were laid bare for her to look on, displayed like an offering of flourishing royalties in the face of a monarch. He finishes with a breath, a relieved exhale: though he had been flustered over the idea of asking, the flattery of his words doesn’t reach him. He was earnest in every sentiment, voice held low and stern to prove it, and with a cross of his arms, he waited for what judgement might pass.

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( 🎶) She’s sitting under the camp’s peach tree, reading a book. It’s nothing special, a simple tome about the history of Nohr. Something she has been curious about since she was brought to Hoshido. The history of the dark kingdom intrigues her, but when she notices sandals worn by a familiar ninja, she can’t help but mark her page, close her book, and give her full attention to the man before her. 

He seems more nervous than usual today. His face is already bright red, which clashes with the forest green color of his hair. Azura had not had much of a chance to interact with Kaze since the war had started, aside from war meetings and the occasional polite nod of the head as they passed each other in the camp. Even Azura can tell however; that the ninja has a request for her. 

Ah, hello Kaze. She greets him when he addresses her. 

He makes his request and Azura’s eyes open wide with surprise. He wants to learn dance from her? Did she hear him correctly? Was he okay? These questions among many others rush through her mind as she comes up with an answer to give him. 

You wish for me to teach you...to dance? Azura clarifies, a confused expression on her face. I am not opposed to the idea, in fact I would be glad to. However; do you feel as though I am the best teacher for the task? 

@fates-songstress 

He’s awkward in his approach of her, eyes shying away from her figure as he presents a nervous smile and soft accompanying laugh.

     If he had any other choice in the matter, he never would have shown himself in front of her at all - he was already drowning in embarrassment that singed his cheeks red and begged for him to dismiss the idea, to turn away, and to pray that the royal never made eye contact with him again, but ha!

     He held more bravery than that. Or at least, he hoped so. The temptation to wring and clench his hands seemed to suggest otherwise, but pushing past his nervousness, he continued walking forward in silence. He had no other choice - the princess was the only physical connection to his current fascination, and if it had to be anybody that would demonstrate and teach, then let it be her.

     Lady Azura. The mysterious spirit of the army, the enchanting dancer that could charm demons with little more than movements and song. If he was to ask anyone on this curiosity of his, she undoubtedly would be best in her acceptance and generosity. He had no intention to beg or pry on the chance that she refused, but his ignorance made him feel clumsy: if she was gracious enough to impart her knowledge, then he would do all he could to comprehend.

     It was a curiosity he held for quite some time, truthfully. The lithe movements of her body, the elegance that somehow permeated her poise - was it truly as simple as it looked? Surely she her repertoire must have been impressive, but where had she learned? How long did it take her? The questions spun, and when he finally made it to her presence, his words whirled and crashed until he was left stiff and bashful.

   “ Ah… Milady? “

     How sheepish he must have looked, begging for a request so personal, so close to the woman’s existence with his arms crossed and his face flushed.

   “ I was wondering… if you would be willing to enlighten me on… er, well. Dance. “

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( 🎶) Azura could never resist Shigure’s wide-eyed puppy-dog face. He had a habit of tugging on her heart strings until she had no choice but to say yes to whatever the little boy requested of her. Azura never wanted to say no to her son, and now was no exception. So if he wanted the same fairy tale two nights in a row? It was Azura’s job to comply. 

Very well, Shigure. Azura said, adjusting so that her son could sit in her lap comfortably (which was near impossible with Azura being so pregnant) and still see the pictures in the book. She cleared her throat and began to read.

There once was a king who had great riches, which, when he died, he divided equally among his three sons...

  [ shigure settles down against his mother’s side, letting her take the book from him so she can read. his eyes focus on the cover for a moment, before he sits up to look his mother in the eyes. ] But it’s my favorite, Mother! Please?

       [ he holds onto her arm, shaking it a little. ] You read it the best, Mother! That’s why I want you to read it so much.

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( 🎶) Somehow, Azura’s smile got brighter. She was so glad that Corrin would be able to attend. After a long year of rebuilding and revitalizing following the war, it was finally time to celebrate the end of the construction.

Excellent! I’ll let my contact at the opera house know. Of course we’ll provide you with one of the best possible seats. 

“three more days?” she parrots before mulling over the thought, nodding in pleasant contemplation. “alright, i’ll be sure to make it. you seem especially excited, azura―it has me all the more eager to attend. i’ll see you there.”