more-than-a-princess - Tumblr blog

[more-than-a-princess]

By some sort of miracle, I finished all of my current replies tonight! I have two asks to get to, but then I'll have a free inbox for more memes.

[more-than-a-princess]

Your muse: accidentally drops a 'fuck' into a sentence, apologizes for swearing in front of Sonia

Sonia: Oh no, it's all right! Jesus, shit, you son of a bitch! My life is basically a never-ending stream of 'fuck this shit' consciousness in my head!

She can swear in over thirty languages, one small fuck will not upset her. She'll just drop some colorful language to join you.

[more-than-a-princess]

The calendar: sin, sexytimes, lewd

Me: Might I interest you in some ship yearning during this fine Sunday-

[more-than-a-princess]

In another life. For all of the times her heart had wandered towards the supernatural, towards ghosts and demons and all manner of spookiness, Sonia hadn't once considered another life. Or a parallel universe, one exceedingly similar to their own but with the most minor differences.

Mrs. Tanaka couldn't cook, that much Sonia knew. But imagining her, Sonia conjured up a woman who smiled, who had warm hugs and allowed Gundham to bring any and all animals in need of care into their house. She'd guessed her to be a woman who encouraged all of her son's interests and wanted to know all about his life, from when she woke him up in the morning with (a likely terrible, as Gundham had previously explained) breakfast to when she tucked him in at night.

Sonia's chest felt tight, and in that moment, as he looked away, she was glad he couldn't see her face. Sadness for him for what he'd lost, anguish for what could have been. For someone who had raised him, she pictured Mrs. Tanaka to be the antithesis of Queen Valentina of Novoselic, in all of the best ways. In every way she'd imagined and wanted a mother to be. She didn't want to pry and ask how her death happened, but from the way Gundham couldn't face her, it seemed like he'd had a hand in it. Just like she'd done with her own parents.

"That would have been wonderful," She finally decided, admitting something she truly felt. "I would have been most honored to meet her. I am sure I would have had many questions of my own, as long as I did not embarrass you with them."

She swallowed deeply, imagining the scene in her head. Maybe burnt biscuits and hot tea, and Sonia asking about Gundham's first pets and what he was like as a little boy. She believed his mother would have excitedly told her everything, perhaps to Gundham's dismay. Maybe he would even blush, like he'd done so easily back in high school when she'd given him a compliment. All well-deserved, and yet she couldn't fathom why he was so flustered by them.

It was easier, in a way, to speak of her own family rather than to wonder what might have been. But Sonia was quick to respond to his analysis: for as much as she just began speaking with no real answer to his question, she now worried he misunderstood quite a few things. "Of course I would have!" She interjected, with an amount of passion that surprised her. Enough for her own cheeks to redden from her spot on the kitchen counter: it was her turn to look away for a moment, wondering how to make the situation less uncomfortable for them both. "Th-that is, I would have certainly befriended you, no matter what. You are brilliant and compassionate, Gundham: I could not possibly ignore you, no matter the circumstances. And you...you are never lowly or common. Not to me."

She exhaled deeply, hopping off the counter with care, at least for her wine glass. She had a feeling she'd need it filled again at least once more by the end of the night. "My father...wasn't perfect," She said, her arms folded over her torso. A hug she gave herself, when she wanted to keep herself away from vodka, whiskey, and tears. "I only understood it too late, I think. Just before his...demise. My mother wasn't either, but that was far more apparent to me as a child. And neither am I. I grew up not wanting to repeat my parents' mistakes, but I suppose I just made new ones with The Tragedy. It would be ironic, maybe, if I didn't help cause mass genocide."

The smell of butter, of garlic, of tomatoes and meat, all served to relax her some. Sonia even managed to give him a smile, a real one, though the intensity of his multi-colored gaze made it difficult to resist. For all that had changed, that was something that had stayed the same. "Do not apologize for your curiosity," She told him, "I should try to be more open about my past before The Tragedy. I want to try, at least: that is what Naegi believes. The more we come to terms with what we have done and understand why, the better chance we will have to move forward with our lives."

He was finishing the meal and she needed to stay out of the way for both their sakes, but that didn't change the fact that she wanted to reach out for him. To hold him there, in the kitchen, surrounded by the scent of bread and bolognese and tell him to never apologize to her again. Not even for what had happened during the fourth trial: she forgave him. She'd always forgive him.

Instead, she took a breath and nodded. "Another glass of wine would be great, thank you," She replied, holding out her glass. "Shall we sit in the hotel dining room? It seems rather a waste to eat in the kitchen when you have made such a delicious meal. I remember where Teruteru keeps the linens and tableware." And, if she remembered correctly, at least a candle or two. If it wasn't too much of an imposition.

"It was simply a jest. I do not wish to lose our facilities either. Ushi and the others need sustenance just as much as we do." While there was plenty of hay and various feeds at the farm, the raw food that needed to be refrigerated was stored in the large walk in, in the back of the kitchen. Fenrir would be a lot more apt to eat the others if he ran out of fresh meat due to the building burning down.

"She was. I am... glad you would not have minded. Perhaps, in another life, the two of you may meet." His expression was so sad and wistful then, that he needed to turn away from her. He was glad that the food preparation was a good distraction from the sudden pain. Gundham was a bit surprised that she hadn't picked up on his blatant statement about "his feelings," but his chest began to expand once more as he calmed down a bit. It seemed he hadn't ruined the whole night after all.

He listened quietly as Sonia began to speak of her parents. He stirred the pasta, before turning back to the sauce, giving it a quick taste. More spices were thrown into the pot, and then he began to chop some garlic. He added it to butter and mixed it well for the garlic bread. Her father sounded like a great King from how she spoke of him.

"I...see." He spoke softly as she finished her various stories about her family. He noticed that she had plenty of tales involving her father, but she hardly spoke much about her Mother. It was not unlike himself, having not spoke about his Father earlier either. He had a feeling that she hadn't been close to her Mother at the very least, and at the worst, she may have even been abused by her. That wasn't a topic he wished to pry into over dinner, however, just as he was glad she hadn't asked about his Father.

"It sounds like your father was wonderful. If he had not raised you as such, to spend time with the commoners and even love them, I wonder if you would have ever befriended one such as I." As if realizing what he said, he cleared his throat awkwardly. "I am a Dark Lord, but in the gaze of mere mortals, I am not but a lowly commoner." Especially since his family had always been poor. He set the timer on the stove as he spoke, after placing the garlic bread inside.

"It does sound like it should have been harmonious." He could tell there was a 'but' in there somewhere, yet once again, he didn't want to try and coax too much out of her, and ruin the mood entirely. "I cannot think of something specific I wished to know. I was simply wondering how they raised someone like you." Mostly he'd been trying to change the topic, so she wouldn't catch on to what he'd said, although he had been curious about them. Thankfully, it seemed to have worked. This time, he managed to keep a lid on his mouth concerning his emotions for her. Even if he was tipsy, he'd have no more slip ups.

"I apologize for prying." Since she wasn't used to opening up unless for paparazzi, the moment somehow felt even more intimate. "Dinner will be ready shortly." The breeder eyed her now half empty glass. "Would you care for some more wine? Or a different refreshment?"

[more-than-a-princess]

She could understand his silence as she showed him their classroom. Hope's Peak was an awe-inducing sight, if not experience: a normal school, where people of various backgrounds were brought together for the sake of talent. A family's history or socio-economic status were not factors when deciding upon the student body: only skills, and what each student could bring to the school.

Of course, it wasn't an entirely rosy picture of high school education. She yearned for more activities like she'd seen in dramas: sports days, culture days, festivals and school trips. And Sonia believed that each student should be celebrated for who they were and not just their talents, something that both her best friend and her teacher believed, but the three of them were in the minority.

No world was perfect, whether it was Hope's Peak or Novoselic. But that was why she worked hard at what she did, even if Hope's Peak cared little for graded tests and assignments. Making the world a better place...there was no cause more noble than that. Even if she had to be careful not to lose herself along the way.

"It is a lovely space here, is it not?" She offered him a small smile from her spot at the edge of the classroom, full of the late afternoon sunlight. "It is even better when everyone attends class. And after Yukizome-sensei was assigned to us, our classmates generally come to class far more often than before! It is wonderful: I love to hear about what everyone else is working on."

While her desk was on the opposite end, Sonia quite liked the spots by the windows, watching the comings and goings of the Main Course courtyard. A different scene than what played out at In Utero High School back home: students bickering over who had the best private jet, who was invited to various parties at various homes across the world, who had the newest luxury car or clothes or jewelry, and which famous celebrity they could boast they had a connection to. Hope's Peak, to Sonia at least, felt like a more realistic, genuine environment to cultivate friendships.

If just for the fact that, while not actively encouraged, students still found ways to be teenagers and not just shining examples of talents. Sonia's eyebrows raised in both interest and surprise at his answer. "Skateboarding! Wow, that sounds hella exciting!" She exclaimed. If just for the fact that was on the long, long list of things forbidden to members of the Novoselic Royal Family. For her to even take advantage of skiing during the colder months, there were many protocols that had to be met before she even took to the slopes.

"And if you like music and video games, you should definitely meet Mioda-san and Nanami-san! They are quite skilled at both, respectively, and I imagine they would enjoy engaging in such pursuits with you," She advised, giving him a hopeful smile. "I would offer my own company but I am rather awful at both. A bit less terrible in video games than music, but not great."

From what he knew from his past life through his sibling-- He never really had classmates his age, hell, Hajime even told him he skipped some grades and when he was in the middle of elementary, he was already taking middle school classes. And... never really had any friends-- It was no different.... till now. With the headmaster's request to the Steering Committee, he wanted Izuru to live a normal high school life! But how can he live that when he barely had experience in it? Both in his past life and new current identity? Izuru was still under the watch of the committee too so it wasn't exactly the 'most' normal....And he himself, was exactly normal either. But with Sonia's explanation-- It seemed to be odd how the main course students actually attend these classes. Then again, this school cared more about these student's talents rather than grades.... Still kinda beats the whole purpose of a 'school setting'. Hope's Peak was.... questionable in a sense.

He simply walked along beside the princess as they entered the school. And as expected the classroom... it was empty. Ultimates were of left to their own devices as Sonia said.

"Huh..? Oh--" Her perky voice catches his attention. Perhaps he was too deep in thought about everything that was going on. What hobbies does he even enjoy? A lot of them just seem like mundane tasks-- Some more tolerable than others but... Izuru doesn't really have a hobby. If sitting in a hospital for hours counted as a hobby it might as well be a job. For guy who always knows an answer-- He doesn't really have an answer when it came to more personal things.

"I suppose... music, gaming, and some extreme-sports, mainly skateboarding for the most part...." Mainly based on the items he owned as Izuru Hinata, well he technically owns them now!! And even uses them on a daily basis to kill bored them. Izuru sort of... fidgets with a strand of his hair in a bashful manner; even if his facial expression doesn't change-- Completely caught of guard of the question-- Not many people ask such personal questions. So it was just...odd to him. "I don't necessarily have a favourite hobby to do. But I find myself doing one of those three most often."

[more-than-a-princess]

Sonia was stuck: she had little choice but to follow her, unless she wanted her presence in the courtyard to make an even larger scene than it already had, but she still wasn't in a position to interrogate Shinobu over what had just happened. Yuto, to his credit, had done his best to smooth over the rough edges of their meeting but he wasn't dim: surely he'd noticed how Shinobu had bristled at him and the friendship she had with him.

And for what reason? He was kind, polite, with similar values in charitable efforts...all in all, a rather pleasant choice of companion when she needed to socialize at events.

It didn't make sense, but at least she was able to ruminate over that question in silence. Shinobu wasn't keen on speaking with her since they'd gotten out of the car. Maybe, Sonia thought as she trailed two steps behind her friend's taller frame, she regretted asking her to come to the concert. Sonia couldn't blame her if so: it wasn't the first time her very existence disrupted something, particularly when attention needed to be elsewhere, on someone or something other than herself and her family.

The logistics of the visit had been sorted well before the day, leaving her security to linger at the exits of the hallway rather than keeping close to her side. Sonia simply hadn't thought to predict the human factor of it all: being recognized for what she was. All the escape routes for all manner of emergencies seemed silly in comparison to the most likely, and now overlooked, scenario.

She waited for Shinobu to deliver her flowers, expecting to take their seats in the auditorium immediately after. So it was to her surprise that they didn't, Sonia pausing her steps instead and turning to face her. "It was uncomfortable, yes, I will not deny it," She replied, acknowledging their apology. "And while I forgive you for it, I find it a bit narrow-minded to judge others by their gender. In my opinion, I think people should be judged by their individual character, even if past experiences have directly tied such opinions to gender."

It wasn't her intention to scold them: only share her disappointment in the immediate assumption that a friend was an awful person, simply because he was a man. "But Okuma-san and I are friends. And I should point out, Yaguchi-san, that many of my close friends happen to be men," Gundham certainly, even if there was still post-romantic tension between them at times. Her cousins, too: besides Chiaki, they were her closest friends and confidants. Despite the age gap, they were often the few people on Earth who could truly empathize with the struggles Sonia faced. After all, they were their struggles too: everything except being the heir presumptive to the throne, of course.

"Simply put, if we are to be friends, Yaguchi-san, then there must be an understanding that I have friends who are men," Sonia continued. In order to avoid another misunderstanding, she felt she needed to be clear. "Who do not seek out my discomfort or to invade my privacy. Just like I have friends who are women, and friends who are non-binary. They are all my cherished friends, and I feel blessed and enriched for having each one as part of my life."

Not that she ignored the other part of that equation: the friendships that were more like acquaintances, who sought out her kinship in order to get close to her family. And vice-versa, the friendships her parents encouraged because they'd benefit Novoselic. But she tried to keep them in perspective, and Yuto, no matter how much both of their families wished for it, was an exception. He was truly kind and not motivated by his family's social-climbing schemes. That was being left to his brother, if the news of his brother's engagement was anything to go by.

Her chest tightened some at Shinobu's request, though: a request that was, most likely, her fault. If they took their seats now, Sonia realized with a sigh, the lit auditorium would only encourage more gossip. She hadn't gone out and said it directly, but Sonia couldn't ignore the general sentiment of it all: that Sonia was more trouble than she was worth as a friend, at an event like this. She wondered why Shinobu hadn't brought Anzu instead, even if the other girl might not have had a similar interest in classical music. There wouldn't be as much of a fuss to deal with.

"Yes, of course, I do not mind," She agreed, though unlike Shinobu she couldn't bring herself to lean against the wall and have her posture suffer. Instead, Sonia's spine straightened as she clasped her hands before her. "I trust that you will keep track of the time so we are not late to our seats. What would you like to talk about?" She was hoping that a further explanation of her friendship with Yuto Okuma was off the table, or any other disapproval of the people she chose to keep in her life. Surely Shinobu had their reasons, but it still was an unfair assumption that anyone who identified as a man was a villain looking to take advantage of her.

Shinobu found herself wishing that she was in possession of one of Anzu's baseball bats, so that she might separate his head cleanly from his body in one swing. Uncharitable as it might have been, they did not believe a single word that came from his lips. Oh, he'd tried to stand up for her, but been outvoted and overruled? How terribly convenient. From Shinobu's position, it seemed like he was straddling a fence - admitting that the situation was unsavory, without admitting any culpability, and downplaying the specifics so that it seemed as some general, vague thing, rather than a very personally offensive thing that had been done to Miss Ji-yeon. He even made sure to lead with the positives - potential opportunities for other students, and donations to the school - as though that made her friend's freedom some sort of necessary sacrifice.

As Okuma continued to speak, Shinobu was at least able to keep the vile filth from spilling out of her mouth, though she could do nothing about the cold, distant expression that remained fixed upon her face. "Mm," she finally answered, when the conversation returned to her. "This close to the performance's beginning, Miss Iida won't be taking any guests, but at least I can ensure they're set aside for her after the show," they agreed. "Do enjoy the show Okuma-san. If you've not heard Miss Iida before, you're in for quite the experience." Even if, in her opinion, it was one he didn't deserve.

Once it seemed like Sonia, too, had said her goodbyes, Shinobu turned to leave, off in the direction of the side entrance that had been pointed out. Her hand twitched as, for a moment, she seemed about to reach to take Sonia's hand, before thinking better of it and allowing her arm to fall at her side. Instead, they simply walked quickly with their head down, a headache born entirely of her own senseless anger throbbing between her temples.

At least the hallway that led to the dressing rooms was quiet and secluded - a far cry from the numerous people in crowds that had been at the building's entrance. With mixed success, Shinobu tried to restore her expression to one of even neutrality, rather than sharp distaste, as she knocked her knuckles against the door. "Hello," she murmured, as some professional looking woman in black stagehand's clothes and a headset with a microphone answered. "I regret the intrusion but could you please set these aside for Miss Iida, for after the performance?" She held out the bouquet, along with the accompanying card. "My name is Shinobu Yaguchi."

The woman seemed to take a moment to eye up both Shinobu, and Sonia behind her, for a few moments, before giving a gentle nod. "Sure, I'll make sure she gets them after the show." Taking the bouquet, the woman carefully worked it underneath her arm, wary of crushing it. "I know she's not available to speak right now," Shinobu explained, "but if it isn't too much trouble, please do let her know that I stopped by, and that I'll wait for her afterwards." With another nod, the woman closed and locked the door.

With that situation squared away, it would be easy enough to walk into the auditorium, and take their seats. As Shinobu understood it, theirs weren't the most luxurious or in-demand seats - no private box or balcony away from the rabble - but neither were they nosebleeds sold to students at steep discount. Shinobu imagined that once they walked in, Sonia would be exposed to a certain amount of extra attention, as seemed to be the case outside, but they would, hopefully, die down with time. There wasn't really anything else worth saying, so to just walk off in that direction, with expectation that Sonia would follow, wouldn't be strange.

Yet, the liminality of the hallway held its own appeal. There was no one around here - no students or faculty, no photographers, no obnoxious men. Shinobu was sure Sonia's attendants were near enough, but at least they didn't make their presence unnecessarily known. In this hallway, off to the side of the auditorium, she could probably hold Sonia's hand without any concern for scandalous media attention, or any kind of reproach. They could speak, here, as well, without fear of eavesdropping, or intrusion.

And so, rather than walk off in the direction of the auditorium proper, Shinobu leaned against the hallway wall. "If I put you in an uncomfortable position, before, Miss Nevermind, then I regret doing so," they murmured. "As a general rule, I despise the company of most men, and I'm..." She rubbed at the side of of her face, before running her fingers through her hair. "Embarrassingly protective, I suppose, of my friend's privacy and comfort, such that Okuma-san's connection to the infringement upon it gave me a swift, perhaps unfairly negative impression."

That wasn't all it was, surely, but it was the piece of it most easily explained. To get into the rest of it seemed unnecessarily complex, without a clear starting or ending point. "I'm aware that we should get to our seats, but, truthfully, I'd prefer to keep from any crowds for the time being." Their mood still felt uneven, and they had to assume that once they were at their seats, any conversation between the two of them would have to be considerate of the place. Still leaning against the wall, Shinobu's head drooped, her attention fixed upon the floor, arms tight over and closed off over her chest. "Would it be alright if we simply stayed here and talked for a short while?" It was a simple request, and yet she could feel her heart creeping up her chest, lodging in her throat.

[more-than-a-princess]

🐝  *  ―  𝑷𝑰𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑮 / 𝒀𝑬𝑨𝑹𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑺.

❛  i can't stop thinking about you even when i try.  ❜ ❛  every time i see you, it's like my heart skips a beat.  ❜ ❛  i never realized how much i needed you until you weren't there.  ❜ ❛  do you ever feel like there's something missing ... like a piece of your heart is somewhere else?  ❜ ❛  i wish i had the courage to tell you how i feel.  ❜ ❛  if only you knew how much you truly mean to me.  ❜ ❛  do you ever wonder what it would be like if things were different between us?  ❜ ❛  sometimes i wonder if you ever think about me the way i think about you.  ❜ ❛  i had a lot of dreams about you recently.  ❜ ❛  somehow, you're always on my mind.  ❜ ❛  i think i've been in love with you since the day we met - scratch that, i know i've been in love with you since the day we met.  ❜ ❛  my biggest wish is to hold you close and never let you go.  ❜ ❛  all my life i've felt like a part of me was missing, but with you i've finally found it.  ❜ ❛  you deserve better than who i am right now, but i'm gonna keep trying to become someone you do deserve.  ❜ ❛  every time you smile at me, i get this flutter in my chest.  ❜ ❛  do you think i'll ever be worthy of your love?  ❜ ❛  i want to be the person to make you happy. the one person you can always come to with whatever you need.  ❜ ❛  will we ever get another chance together?  ❜ ❛  you were the best thing that's ever happened to me.  ❜ ❛  my biggest regret is ever letting you go.  ❜ ❛  i'm still in love with you ... and i honestly never stopped.  ❜ ❛  when i wake up in the morning, you're the first person i want to see.  ❜ ❛  every time i wake up, i check if you wrote me another message.  ❜ ❛  i wish i could be as important to you as you are to me.  ❜ ❛  it hurts when you don't talk to me like you used to.  ❜ ❛  i miss everything about you, your touch, your laugh, your smile. i wish i could have that back.  ❜ ❛  i want to fall asleep wrapped in your arms.  ❜ ❛  hold me closer; i always feel safer when you're with me.  ❜ ❛  there's so much i wish i was able to tell you.  ❜ ❛  i know things aren't easy right now, but i want to remain a fixture in your life. after all, you're one in mine.  ❜ ❛  i miss the way you always made me smile.  ❜ ❛  you're the reason i keep holding on.  ❜ ❛  maybe we're supposed so to remain a case of 'right person, wrong time' forever.  ❜ ❛  if only you knew how i feel about you.  ❜ ❛  i'm yearning to hold your hand in mine.  ❜ ❛  i think you are the one for me, and i hope one day i'll be the one for you, too.  ❜ ❛  do you think i'll ever become more than a friend to you?  ❜ ❛  my heart belongs to you, always and forever.  ❜ ❛  my first instinct is to protect you, no matter the cost.  ❜ ❛  i've been thinking about us a lot lately.  ❜

[more-than-a-princess]

🐝  *  ―  𝑷𝑰𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑮 / 𝒀𝑬𝑨𝑹𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑺.

❛  i can't stop thinking about you even when i try.  ❜ ❛  every time i see you, it's like my heart skips a beat.  ❜ ❛  i never realized how much i needed you until you weren't there.  ❜ ❛  do you ever feel like there's something missing ... like a piece of your heart is somewhere else?  ❜ ❛  i wish i had the courage to tell you how i feel.  ❜ ❛  if only you knew how much you truly mean to me.  ❜ ❛  do you ever wonder what it would be like if things were different between us?  ❜ ❛  sometimes i wonder if you ever think about me the way i think about you.  ❜ ❛  i had a lot of dreams about you recently.  ❜ ❛  somehow, you're always on my mind.  ❜ ❛  i think i've been in love with you since the day we met - scratch that, i know i've been in love with you since the day we met.  ❜ ❛  my biggest wish is to hold you close and never let you go.  ❜ ❛  all my life i've felt like a part of me was missing, but with you i've finally found it.  ❜ ❛  you deserve better than who i am right now, but i'm gonna keep trying to become someone you do deserve.  ❜ ❛  every time you smile at me, i get this flutter in my chest.  ❜ ❛  do you think i'll ever be worthy of your love?  ❜ ❛  i want to be the person to make you happy. the one person you can always come to with whatever you need.  ❜ ❛  will we ever get another chance together?  ❜ ❛  you were the best thing that's ever happened to me.  ❜ ❛  my biggest regret is ever letting you go.  ❜ ❛  i'm still in love with you ... and i honestly never stopped.  ❜ ❛  when i wake up in the morning, you're the first person i want to see.  ❜ ❛  every time i wake up, i check if you wrote me another message.  ❜ ❛  i wish i could be as important to you as you are to me.  ❜ ❛  it hurts when you don't talk to me like you used to.  ❜ ❛  i miss everything about you, your touch, your laugh, your smile. i wish i could have that back.  ❜ ❛  i want to fall asleep wrapped in your arms.  ❜ ❛  hold me closer; i always feel safer when you're with me.  ❜ ❛  there's so much i wish i was able to tell you.  ❜ ❛  i know things aren't easy right now, but i want to remain a fixture in your life. after all, you're one in mine.  ❜ ❛  i miss the way you always made me smile.  ❜ ❛  you're the reason i keep holding on.  ❜ ❛  maybe we're supposed so to remain a case of 'right person, wrong time' forever.  ❜ ❛  if only you knew how i feel about you.  ❜ ❛  i'm yearning to hold your hand in mine.  ❜ ❛  i think you are the one for me, and i hope one day i'll be the one for you, too.  ❜ ❛  do you think i'll ever become more than a friend to you?  ❜ ❛  my heart belongs to you, always and forever.  ❜ ❛  my first instinct is to protect you, no matter the cost.  ❜ ❛  i've been thinking about us a lot lately.  ❜

[more-than-a-princess]

"That is correct," She confirmed for him, smiling. "Liam is four years younger than I am, and his brother Sam is two years younger than him. But I think it is different, something more than 'not getting along' with his father. Misunderstanding has morphed into loathing, perhaps." It was easier to analyze it with her cousins than her own situation, one made complicated by parents whom, to some degree, she loved. And yet both lacked the parenting she'd always missed and needed as a child, something that needed to be fulfilled by people her family employed, and people she opened her heart and bed to. A psychiatrist's dream to deconstruct, her family. Too bad that hardly ever happened, and if so, only after a litany of NDAs. The royals needed to be above talk therapy, despite publicly acknowledging and supporting it for the Novosonian population.

Royalty first, people second. In her more cynical moods, she once muttered that such a motto would be etched into all of their tombstones one day, a comment that had earned a hearty amount of laughter from Liam and a snicker from Sam. They knew who she really was, in almost all of her entirety: it was, as she was told, safer that way. For as much as she wanted to be a normal girl at a normal school, such a thing was impossible. No matter how she tried.

Somia cast a cursory glance towards Kazuichi: case in point, would he ever treat her like a normal person?

Not that his habits were ones Sonia was familiar with. With widened eyes, she was taken aback by his preferred methods of consuming cereal. "Hot chocolate...is made with water?" She repeated, baffled. "I have never seen it be made, but that sounds rather implausible: particularly when it tastes so rich and creamy, if not a bit bitter. The chantilly cream is necessary to temper a bit of the sweet and bitterness of hot chocolate!" She grinned at the thought: a silver dish, chilly to the touch, piled high with the aforementioned cream. It always accompanied the silver hot chocolate service and the china cups and saucers that bore the official royal pattern. On particularly good days, her mother allowed her a hot chocolate and she was treated to footmen making a show of elaborate pours, the liquid as thick as syrup before she added cream to her liking.

Shit, she thought as her stomach grumbled. She needed to seek out a place in Japan that made hot chocolate.

"You have tried cereal with milk tea? And not separate?" She asked again. This prospect was not nearly as shocking to her, if her smile alone was anything to go by. "I am used to separating the two, but I imagine, perhaps, a plain or sugared corn flake might be appetizing in cold milk tea. I might try it sometime."

They'd left the school building behind and with it, Sonia's insistence to make sure he ate a proper meal. She didn't believe him in that two bags of potato crisps were filling, but she knew better than to push such a notion forward. So she let it be, instead finding his assessment of her homeland far more surprising. "A 'medieval' vibe? We do have modern technology, you know," Sonia chuckled as they entered the cafeteria. "We have ancient buildings and monuments, yes, but Novoselic is a global leader in technology, military technology specifically. We have also made great advancements in agriculture and animal conservation. Much of these advances were made by independent thinkers, so individuality may be to thank."

Taking a tray, Sonia surveyed the Japanese and Western breakfast offerings. But the mention of hot chocolate had made her yearn for home, so she chose the latter, or the best she could manage: hot muesli in milk, topped with bananas and blueberry compote, a hardboiled egg, and a croissant. A glass of cold water was added to her tray, but Sonia nearly dropped the individual-sized teapot of hot water she'd been filling from the beverage station, intending to add a teabag to it to steep.

"Soda-san," She told him firmly, after she'd safely placed the teapot and accompanying cup and saucer on the tray. She took care in balancing everything: carrying her own meals was still something new for her, much less doing so with Kazuichi saying such ridiculous things. "Corporal punishment will not benefit either of us, or anyone at all as far as I am concerned. That is not a fair reaction whenever one of us does something to upset the other."

The cashier gave them both a look from her spot on the stool in front of the register, but Sonia merely gave her a smile, greeted her good morning, and handed her the requisite payment before picking up her tray. "I would much prefer to tell you when you are out of line. Which is something you may also tell me, too: when I have crossed the line of your comfort. Friends should be honest with each other, yes? Now, let us sit: I think the tables by the window are most lovely in the morning."

Lonely in a full house… sounded like a foreign concept to the mechanic. He did understand the need to confide in someone, though, so maybe it was more about being able to be vulnerable than anything else. Someone you don’t have to keep up appearances around. It was still odd, since he wouldn’t categorize that as loneliness, but that’s probably because he didn’t really know what the princess was describing. He’s never been in her shoes before, after all.

The shoes he’d always thought looked pretty, but is just now discovering how hard they are to walk in.

…That was a poetic thing for his mind to think.

“Liam would be one of your younger cousins, right?” he asked, trying to create a mental picture of the other’s family tree. His mind always got lost when someone started talking about family members, since he only had his dad. “Don’t most people not get along with their parents, anyway? ‘cause like, the generation gap kinda gets in the way ‘n stuff… unless uh, unless you mean that they really really don’t get along. Like, they seriously hate each other kind of not getting along…”

He wondered what that would look like, in an important royal family. They’d definitely have to pretend everything was alright for the public, wouldn’t they? He’s never heard of fights between royal family members… but it wasn’t like he kept up with the news, either way.

“It depends on the cereal! If it’s chocolate, hot water makes it almost like hot chocolate. If it’s something else, cold water is okay, you just gotta drink-eat it quickly so it doesn’t lose too much of the crunch!” he explained, feeling somewhat like an expert. “But yeah, that’s only if you don’t have milk. If you do then milk is still better – there was one time where someone gave it to me with… milk tea, I think? That one is definitely the winner. It’s like… a warm, crunchy, sweet heavenly soup…” Just thinking about the memory made him sigh in pure bliss. “It’s just, it’s like if comfort was a food, you know? …All soups are, really.”

At her offer to buy him food, he quickly shook his head. He absolutely can’t have her doing that again, especially if she wouldn’t take his repayment later. It would feel like he was exploiting her kindness… in addition to making him feel like a beggar. That, was a kind of low he seriously didn’t like getting to. “I’m really alright! I snacked on two bags of chips earlier. Thank you for um, offering, though.” He took his can of Fanta and nervously fiddled with it, the ‘I think’ part not lost on him. Was it really okay, for him to sit with her? He was determined to make sure he didn’t make her uncomfortable anymore, but… it felt like making her go through his process of trial and error was unfair.

That thought kept circling around in his mind, even as they arrived at the cafeteria. It’s not that he didn’t listen to what the princess was saying during that time: he did, and attentively at that, but the unease still sat in the back of his mind. “No, no, that actually gave me a better idea about the country. I um, I always thought it was like America, but with a medieval vibe…” he admitted, sheepishly. “A-anyway, I get what you mean, with the individuality thing. We usually think as a group here, instead of as separate people… but I think we’re starting to go into that other mindset, too. At least, some of the younger generations are...” Glancing off at nothing in particular, he scratched his cheek. “…Dunno if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, though.”

He stood in his place awkwardly as he waited for the princess to choose what she’d like to eat, opening his can of carbonated drink just to give his hands something to do. The fuzzy taste on his tongue did nothing to quell his unease from earlier, but it did give him time to think as to how to address it, instead of letting it stay as the elephant in the room. As soon as he could get the princess’ attention, he tried to get to it immediately, before they get sidetracked. “H-hey, Sonia-san?” he called, in a way more stilted of a tone than he meant for it to be. “I… er, I was… thinking about what you said earlier, a-about is trying to be friends, I mean, and…” He toyed with the soda tab. “I-I feel like it’s still… not fair to you, to be the only one that has to put up with, like, the bad part of all this…”

“S-so!” he started again, this time with a nervous kind of determination. “I um, I found a solution! T-to make it fair, I mean. You can… like, when I do something that makes you feel sad or uncomfortable… you can give me a whack or a bonk on the head, or… something like that. To make it fair.” He held up one finger in each hand to demonstrate, though it was hard to see it when he was gripping his drink in one. “A one-for-one kind of thing, y’know? It’ll make me pay more attention to what I say or do around you... I-I know this sounds self-deprecating ‘n stuff, but it’s really not. I uh, I just don’t learn otherwise. You gotta smack the stupid outta my head or it stays there.”

[more-than-a-princess]

"It truly is the perfect date! Not too hot, not too cold: all you need is a light jacket."

[more-than-a-princess]

"You think it won't benefit you and your friends, my marriage?" Sonia asked softly, looking away from her ship and back over the water. It had every comfort she could want, parked near a tropical island, and yet it just reminded her of everything she'd sailed thousands of kilometers away from. To ignore, or even forget, just for a little while. "Consider the idea of my marrying one of the more prominent leaders of Japan's future political system. Such a union would permit my voice to be heard, if just a bit more loudly and clearly, in the fates of Japan's citizens. All of those citizens, Yaguchi-san, some of whom are still suffering far away from its shores."

One of the many considerations she needed to make when selecting a husband, she knew, as she exhaled audibly. What didn't factor in that list was her happiness or a mutual love and respect between the couple. The things that, in her opinion, the world fought for when trying to stop despair. The things that made life worth living: at least the rest of the world had a chance. Even the Remnants, maybe with one another if they did not seek it elsewhere.

And then, without thinking, in a fluid movement Sonia glanced down, saw the blood that now covered Shinobu's hand, and reached into her pocket for the handkerchief she knew resided there. At home it would have been tucked in a handbag, ready to be used for a sneeze or to wipe her fingers after a royal 'walk' to greet her people and shake hands. Now, they were mostly used to wipe away sweat from the hot and humid island. Today, it was used to help Shinobu, Sonia not bothering to ask for her permission before reaching for her bloodied finger and tying the handkerchief snugly around it. The pressure would eventually help the bleeding subside and if she detested it, Sonia both understood and didn't care. They wouldn't remember the night it had poured down rain at a charity ball anyway, and how she'd held out a similar piece of cloth to them to wipe the water away from their face. It was presumptuous then and even more so now, but at least there was no friendship to be gained and lost anymore. She wouldn't present a handkerchief and her heart out on a flattened palm, hoping they would take them.

"I hope you are more careful in the future," She told her, standing up before walking the few meters to the shore and kneeling down, dipping her hands in. The seawater, crystal blue and smelling strongly of salt, would at least rid Shinobu's blood from her hands. That was blood, she knew, she couldn't live with: something Masaru Yaguchi had put stake in when he'd asked for permission to visit the Princess of Novoselic on Future Foundation business.

Sonia swished her hands beneath the water for a few moments before standing, satisfied. She couldn't tell her not to harm herself ever again, only express her wish that she didn't. It would be up to Shinobu then, or someone else with more authority over her person, to keep her intact. As much as she could be now, anyway, Sonia thought as she cast a glance over her shoulder: the scars on her face she remembered, but they were joined now by a litany of others. And those were the ones she could see: if she had to guess, there were plenty more beneath her clothes.

A prospect she had no business thinking about, she realized, shaking her head. Not now and not ever: something she wished she could have told her seventeen-year-old self before The Tragedy had happened. "I hope it is one of the few regrets of my life," She admitted, walking back to Shinobu and settling in beside her. "If I can truly do some good in the world, especially after everything that has happened, then let my marriage and family be the one part that isn't changed for the better. I'm not sure I could live with myself, if I didn't do everything in my power to help rebuild everything that was destroyed."

That included everything she could do to help the woman beside her, something she'd needed to keep from her until she couldn't feign ignorance of it. The Shinobu she used to know would've hated being left in the dark about things that impacted them, and for all that had changed in them, at least the current version was no different. "Yes," She admitted, letting the word cut through the silence like a knife, sinking in the reality of her circumstances on Jabberwock Island. "And I was not at liberty to tell you until it became unavoidable. There were circumstances that needed to be put in place, that I needed to agree to, before ever leaving Novoselic. My influence with certain Remnants of Despair is part of that agreement."

"Unlike one Mr. Naegi," Sonia continued, wiggling her toes in the sand. The heat of it had dried her wet feet quickly, now causing the powder white shore to fall away from her skin. "I think there should be a balance between hope and realistic expectations regarding your fates. But, please believe me when I say that your execution is not on the table for discussion: that is a guarantee I can make." Though she'd have to risk her nation's future to do it. Masaru Yaguchi had left her little choice when he'd come to Boudry House to bargain with the Princess of Novoselic. Bargain too was a generous term: deep down, Sonia found it more akin to blackmail. She could only hope he was attempting to keep her home tidy and organized too, and not leave it all for the maids and footmen to rearrange. Her cousins had promised to spend more time there, if just to keep an eye on him. But she had a feeling that 'keeping an eye on the eldest Yaguchi' likely meant playing around.

Still, she thought as she met Shinobu's gaze, even for a brief moment: there was little to feel joy and happiness about these days, could it really hurt if they, for a little while, found some of it? Especially if she could end some of her friend's suffering and bring her home to her family.

"That said," She continued carefully, "I do not wish for you to be sent back here alone, either. Unfortunately, I am not able to divulge everything just yet." If just for the sake of my supposed safety: they all worry you'll throttle me if I explained the full plans for your future.

As they spoke, Shinobu pulled the fishing rod close, turning it over in her hand and replacing the lure. Once that was in her hand, a brightly colored piece of plastic with a dull hook hanging beneath it, Shinobu pressed the underside of her thumb against the point. Lining up, taking a breath, something sharp moving, finding flesh, splitting it, blood, death, repeat. Thousands upon thousands of times, so quiet and routine, to the point of hearing the soft, gentle beat of Junko Enoshima's heart.

As Sonia spoke of the dozen proposals laid out for her consideration, Shinobu felt a pang of guilt - one out of many - for her part in it. Not only had she fantasized about Sonia Nevermind's death in such gory detail on so many countless occasions, it was that obsessive quality that had led to a pure and unspoiled Novoselic. Could it have been different? If Sonia were alive, of course, but her country was as ruined as the rest of them? Perhaps then, she would not have been asked to accept the unacceptable.

Of course, from the way she spoke of her misplaced guilt, the former archer doubted she would have seen that as any preferable outcome. "I don't know that it's worth the comparison," she mumbled, wincing as the hook finally cut through her thumb, and could be sliced down towards her knuckle. "It isn't as though your suffering does anything to benefit our situation. I doubt any of my classmates will ever experience loving, romantic relationships, either."

There had been a number of romantic entanglements among the former Class 77-A, and though Shinobu herself had taken no part in them, she had a hard time imagining that things could simply to return to the way they were. Sakamoto and Ishikawa, as well as Miss Hanasaki and Tsubasa, were all still in comas, and surely Miss Kamiya was in no position to accept anyone's love. Among the rest of them, what chance was there? For herself, it was impossible to imagine. Surely even Ayaka would be repulsed by that sort of relationship, and for good reason.

"Still, it's a regrettable situation." They turned their hand over, palm up, and brought in their thumb so that the blood that was dripping from the cut spilled into their hand. She should have bled more. Sonia herself, or that short girl with red eyes as empty as her own, or even some random, faceless soldier, should have ripped all the blood from her body and left her corpse useless and dry. "Togami is loathsome enough, but nearly a dozen more like him sounds nightmarish." If Sonia had to choose, though, Shinobu would have still suggested the pale imitations over the genuine article.

The opportunity would elude her, though, for as soon as Sonia mentioned that she knew of the tribunal situation, Shinobu's attention snapped to her. It was abrupt, jerky, a swivel of her neck so quick and violent that her bones cracked with the sound of air escaping her joints. To look at Sonia, really look at her, to hold her red eyes steady and not shirk from the sight of Sonia's blue ones, was more difficult than showed, and Shinobu had to fight to resist the immense pressure dragging down her head, imploring her to plant her face in sand.

Instead, she held the gaze for as long as she could, eyes unblinking, face sharp. The piece of her that wanted to position Sonia Nevermind's body in the most beautiful diorama of death would have to endure in silence, as more important things were to be discussed. "You knew. Since before you arrived?" Presumably, if that had been a reason for her trip. "And yet you didn't tell me, Nevermind-san." Rationally, she might have been told not to. Future Foundation controlled information when it came to the remnants, with the belief that they needed to know only as much as they needed to know.

And yet still, even if it was not Sonia's fault, the expression on Shinobu's face was a mix of anger and, far more prominently, pain. Perhaps mercifully, it only lasted for so long as she could maintain eye contact, before her flame burned itself out, and she slumped forward, bleeding hand in the sand, head hanging down as though it were too heavy for her neck. "No, of course you didn't. Future Foundation didn't see a reason to inform me until recently, and after that point, there would have been no reason for you to just repeat what I already knew."

It was an important reminder, though. Sonia was not her friend, nor her ally - she was not a fellow remnant who had been forced back into the bonds of friendship and companionship. She seemed kind, and respectful of others, which meant that she had no business aligning herself with those who had brought to the world so much senseless suffering. She had a duty to fulfill, and she seemed to them the type of person who would fulfill that duty to the best of her ability, with as much personal care as she could, but that was not to be forgotten. Sonia Nevermind seemed a better person than most, and that meant that it was right, or even necessary, to hate her.

"They're going to have me killed there, you know. I hope they told you that much, Nevermind-san." They knew how it sounded. Paranoid, or delusional, but it was obvious, wasn't it? "I don't want you to regret that you could have done more, when they do. They're going to explain how everything was because of me, and how I took control of everything after Junko's death." It wasn't true. Hinata, or that was, Kamukura had been what passed for a leader, then, but who minded the details? "They're going to recount everything I did, especially what happened at the National Diet Building, and then they're going to have me killed, to exonerate my classmates." Did she fault that? Not especially, not when they deserved to live more than she did. "I'm returning home to be executed in front of my country and its people." She swallowed, her mouth feeling dry, her head still downcast. "The alternative, I suppose, is being sent back here alone. I guess death is preferable, especially if it serves a purpose."

[more-than-a-princess]

That was odd: in Sonia's opinion, hamburgers were just about everywhere. Even if her homeland didn't have the likes of McDonald's and other popular chains, plenty of cafes and casual restaurants offered burgers on their menus. They were mostly absent in her family's homes to be sure, but as far as she was concerned, her family were the strange ones. She understood the risks, of going to a small bistro with sidewalk seating and ordering a hamburger and frites to savor alongside people-watching. But that didn't mean it wasn't common and she didn't yearn for it, due to its commonness. Where was Zack from, then, where al fresco seats and sandwiches and warm drinks were not the norm?

"There is time for spicy food later, then, and mushrooms," Sonia assured him, giving him a smile. He gobbled up the hamburgers as if they were the last meal he'd ever eat, and she wanted to assure him that he had many more ahead of him. Presumptuous, perhaps: she had no responsibility to him at all, only repaying his kindness with an overabundance of her own. She tended to do that, even when advised not to: but Sonia had so much when so many others had so little. Surely there was no harm in sharing, even if it was just a single meal.

For now though, he seemed to be satiated by the burgers and fries. And comfortable enough with her answers to divulge some of his own, ones that left more questions than answers. At its core, her position in life was one of politics so she was all too familiar with 'non-answers,' so to speak. But even his replies left Sonia a little befuddled: this wasn't a man attempting to gain the upper hand by twisting his words, instead Zack spoke of the implausible, if not impossible.

And she, Sonia remembered as she stared at him, mouth slightly ajar, was someone who believed in ghosts and demons and all other manner of supernatural.

"G-Gaia..." She repeated, exhaling the word in such a way that, perhaps, it might settle her rapidly beating heart. The sort of feeling she experienced alone in a haunted house, or a graveyard, or any sort of place where everything was not what it seemed and adrenaline ran high. "The Ancient Greeks referred to Gaia as the Earth Mother, the Goddess that was the source of all life," She paused, recalling old university courses to study him as he laughed. He wasn't trying to toy with her and her presumed sheltered life. From the way his laughter didn't feel quite so real, he truly meant what he told her. "But that was not what you are referring to, I am guessing."

Another pause. This time, it was for her to listen for the shuffling of feet, the murmur of words, outside all of the various entrances to the kitchen. He knew about one of them, but she knew all of them. And when the silence allowed for a pin drop to be heard, Sonia opened her mouth to continue.

"Zack," She began carefully. She was old enough to know that while she genuinely believed in her inquiry, that those around her would find her ridiculous at best. It went along with her other outlandish hobbies and interests, she supposed, ones that the older she became, the less her family tolerated. "Do you mean to tell me that you are from another planet entirely? And if so, what means of travel did you embark upon to end up here?"

She was much too enticed by other planets supporting life to sympathize with the part of his statement she felt she, to some degree, could understand: the inability to leave one's job and live to tell about it. Even if abdication no longer led to mysterious and unfortunate deaths in the Novoselic Royal Family anymore, it did mean that the royal who did it would be shunned by the nation for the rest of their days and, in her immediate family at least, would be the culprit for plunging her country into an unstable future full of social and economic inequality.

Once food was introduced, it was a hard temptation to fight against. Although, he should be mindful of his behavior, he figured, she seemed to understand enough about his situation that she wouldn't mind if he gave into his instinctual need to eat just this once. In the future, if they were ever in a situation where he had the opportunity to break bread with her again, he would take things slow.

"No, not a luxury, per se. Just not that common." That didn't exactly answer her question. He realized that he really didn't do a whole lot of answering her questions since they arrived at her establishment. That wasn't very fair of him. He knew he had to give a little to pay her back for her kindness. It wasn't that he didn't WANT to, it was.... that it was all too complicated to put out there in a way she would even understand.

And even if she did understand the implications, what then?

"I favor spicy foods--- or mushrooms! Two very different ends of the spectrum, I know." He grinned. "Though I fear if I tried to eat either of those things right now, they wouldn't settle very well." Especially on the spicy side. Hamburgers probably weren't the best option either, but it didn't taste greasy in the least! It would settle just fine, he was sure. And if it didn't, well he would be satisfied for as long as it stayed circulating his system~

He was starving [half sated now], but even he knew to set it all aside in favor of the moment.

He nodded once her initial permission was given to continue. He had made the offer, without qualm, that she might take the reward for his return for herself. He would not fault her for whatever decision she made when going forward. How could he?

"I'm not from this world. At least, not the way you know it. My world is called Gaia. It's in dire straights at the moment, but that's not why I'm here." He laughed, but it was more a laugh at the irony of it all more than anything remotely funny. ".... I'm on the run because I quit my job. I'm on the run because, I'm not allowed to quit my job and live to tell about it."

[more-than-a-princess]

Taylor Swift, I hate it here

[more-than-a-princess]

yeah….. my guy never stood a chance

[more-than-a-princess]

“There’s a difference between loving the idea of someone and loving the person they really are.”

— Unknown

[more-than-a-princess]

1-20 odd for the weridly personal questions owo

WEIRDLY SPECIFIC BUT HELPFUL CHARACTER BUILDING QUESTIONS - Accepting!

Thank you for the interest, anon! I've answered some of these already and there's quite a lot of questions, so I'm just going to choose a few from the list:

1. What's the lie your character says most often?

"I'm fine."

It is always some degree of "I'm fine" or "Everything is all right" or "Don't worry about me." Sonia was raised to never complain about her problems because no one would pity her, or feel much in the way of empathy towards her and the challenges she faces as a princess and, one day, as queen. So she tends to bottle them up often to her own detriment. Sometimes she has access and time to speak with a qualified therapist about her issues, but that's never regarded as a priority for her. She's a princess first, person second.

 5. Can they cry on command? If so, what do they have to think about to make it happen?

To a degree, yes. Especially if it's being used to garner support from others, but it's less sobbing/big crocodile tears and more of a very somber, yet persuasive look. Sonia just has to think about her cousins dying, or animal abuse, or how her parents hate each other and she can pull out that expression immediately.

9. Do they give tough love or gentle love most often? Which do they prefer to receive?

Sonia gives gentle love most often, as she does not enjoy being cruel and unfeeling. However, when someone really needs some tough love or she feels the need to exert her boundaries, she will utilize tough love and a commanding tone that's hard to ignore. But for receiving, Sonia appreciates honesty from others. She's so used to people telling her what they think she wants to hear, in order to endear themselves to her and her family. She'd rather hear what someone truly thinks and wishes to tell her rather than attempting to just get on her good side.

11. If someone was impersonating them, what would friends/family ask or do to tell the difference?

Oh, there's several options!

- Ask her to cook something. Anything. If it's edible, she's an impersonator.

- Give her coffee and/or plums and watch her eat/drink them. If she doesn't flinch or worse, says they're delicious, she's an impersonator.

- Ask her what her top five favorite horror movies of the 20th Century are. If she misses one, any one, she's an impersonator. 

- And as a more serious choice: her family would ask her why she had to leave In Utero High School and attend Hope's Peak. If she gets it wrong, she's definitely an impersonator. 

[more-than-a-princess]

Just a small heads up that I'm home from my honeymoon/vacation! My current queue runs through Sunday, but with both the jet lag and a good amount of threads to reply to, I likely won't get new replies up until Monday. If you've sent me a thread reply in the past two weeks, my responses will continue then. Once I finish those, I'll be more open to dashcomm and new threads.

Thanks for understanding!