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purpleswans1 · 7 years

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My Favorite Hidden Anime Gems

I’ve been watching Anime for several years now, and I’ve watched a lot of really good series (and a couple of bad ones). Among them are some series that are a lot of great series that I believe don’t get the attention and following they deserve. Some of them may be more popular than I realize, or they were popular a while ago and just faded over time. But all of them are, in my personal opinion, definitely worth a watch.

Quick note: I tried to put down why I believe some of these shows aren’t as popular. More than one of them is because the original material comes form Light Novels, which aren’t a readily available to the western fans as manga and anime, which alienates those fans since they believe they are missing some of the story.

Now, on with the list:

1. Kemono no Souja Erin (Beast Player Erin)

I can’t express to you how much I love this show. The best way I can summarize it without giving to many spoilers is that it’s a coming of age story about a girl who wants to be a beast-veterinarian like her mother, and follows her as she grows up That doesn’t really go into the juicy bits though. It has strong women in positions of power and male-dominated fields, brilliant world building, and the main focus is on the relationship between mothers and their children. It’s very refreshing, and I think tumblr would love this.

Now this one actually has a lot of reasons why it is less known. First of all, the original source is a light novel. In addition, the anime’s art style is much more simplistic than most anime a fans are used to. Finally, although the plot is entertaining for all ages, the show is actually geared towards kids. As anyone who’s watched Gravity Falls or Steven Universe will tell you, this doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. This does mean though, that the audience that it’s intended for doesn’t have easy access to it. That being said, I definitely suggest that people watch this.

2. Saiunkoku Monogatari (The Story of Saiunkoku)

This one is a court romance, and a really great one at that. The story begins about a sensible girl who is asked to turn the king of her country into a decent ruler by becoming his wife, but the story grows into something greater, focusing on politics, the magic of the kingdom’s origin, and the girl’s dream of becoming a court official. There are several well-done female characters, some who take on traditional feminine roles and some who want to be in male-dominated fields. There’s a little bit of a reverse harem situation going on, but the main character is well-rounded and most of the boys are just supporting from a distance. the main focus ends up being on the political drama rather than just the romance.

The animation is a little old, and the original story is from a light novel. In addition, I suspect that the second season ends before the ending of the light novels so we still have some unresolved business that we’d have to track down the light novels to find out. One of these days I’m going to find and read them. Still, this is definitely worth it!

3. Zetsuen no Tempest (The Civilization Blaster, Blast of Tempest)

Okay, I’ll admit that this one is a little weird, and completely shifts narratives halfway through (which, now that I think about it, happens in several anime I know) but is still worth the watch. I swear the two main guys are kind of psychopaths, but they’re also very real and their relationship is a very interesting take on friendship and complex relationships. The story is set in a world where everything in civilization starts being devoured and people are dying, but these two guys get roped into helping a witch trapped on an island save the world because she promised to help them get revenge for the one guy’s sister. It’s also full of dialogue and plot references to William Shakespeare’s works (especially “Hamlet” and “The Tempest”) and who doesn’t love a good reference to the bard?

I… really don’t know why this anime isn’t that popular. Other than the narrative being a little confusing at times and some of the characterizations being incredibly unique (i.e. not cliches) It’s a really good anime, and you guys should check it out.

4. Guilty Crown

Okay guys, I’ll be honest with you: the first time I discovered this anime (back when my experience consisted mostly of Inuyasha and Code Geass) I described it as a Code Geass fanfic with a slightly altered preface. Which… really isn’t what it is at all. There are still some similarities though. The actual story is about a world where japan was decimated by an Apocalypse virus and has become entirely dependent on foreign aid, making it into a kind of military state. People are oppressed, so a terrorist group forms and a certain socially awkward boy gets a special power that was intended for the terrorist, and he gets roped into joining them. It has a lot of interesting characters and characterization, since part of the boy’s power is to reveal people’s hearts in physical form.

I’m not sure why this one isn’t very popular, other than having several troupes that are in other shows. If I had to guess, it might be related to how he narrative changes halfway, and how I swear the thing must have been funded by the band Egoist considering how much they are referenced in the show.

5. Seirei no Moribito

Oh man, this one… *deep breath* The main character is a spear wielding woman bodyguard in her 30s. She is tasked with protecting an adolescent prince, who after being infected with a magic egg (more significant than it sounds) is being attacked by his own country. They end up forming a mother/son bond over the course of the story and that is the main relationship focus. Oh, and the woman has a love interest who’s basically a healer with some mystic abilities, and they are so not subtle about the reversed gender roles.

The story is based on a light novel series by the same author as Kemono no Souja Erin. However, it only tells the story of the first book, so we end up with a well put-together story and maybe potential for season 2? someday? *goes and cries in a corner because that would be amazing*

6. Shiki

Kudos to @quasiplatonickarinhina for introducing me to this.

Okay, so you know how Twilight spurred a rise in popularity for vampire stories? Only, instead of being the Anne Rice and Bram Stoker bloodsucking-monster variety, they became excessively romantic good guys? Yeah, this isn’t like those neo-vampire stories.

By any chance, does anyone remember the first season of Supernatural? You know, back before it became a cult-followed soap-opera, and instead was basically a series of rural American horror stories crammed into an hour a week? THAT is what this story is like.

The preface is that a mysterious family moved into a small rural town, and gradually people start dropping dead mysteriously. Things gradually escalate, and the story dives into a lot of heavy psychology with some statements on humanity in desperate situations thrown in. If you like Tokyo Ghoul for the psychological horror, you’ll love this.

The series has a very slow build-up before the climax, so that might be the main reason why it isn’t very popular.

7. Shounen Omnyouji

You know that Abe no Seimei guys that will pop up occasionally in exorcist or historical anime? Well, this is about his grandson, who has resolved to surpass his grandfather as an Omnyouji and finally get out of his shadow.

I should also note that this is probably one of the only shounen protagonists I know of that actually shows respect to his elders and superiors (which probably says a lot more for the general trend of shounen protagonists than anything else, but it’s still refreshing.) Seriously, one of the biggest running gags is that he’s in his room yelling about his grandfather expecting him to do the impossible or having to big of shoes to fill, but he’s still very respectful when he’s actually around the guy.

Also, his love interest is… not annoying? Sorry she’s not really that awesome of a character, but she manages to be a traditional princess and not painful to watch. Which is unusual.

Oh, and there are all these super-powered Shikigami who gradually develop respect for the MC and have their own issues with one another. That’s always cool.

This series was originally a light novel series, and to be honest even I wouldn’t know about it if I hadn’t been looking for a different Omnyouji series. I should warn you though, this one has a kind-of-cliffhanger ending, and I don’t see much indication of a season 2. You can always hunt down the light novels though.

8. Arslan Senki

Not sure whether this anime is unknown enough to be here… No, it does. It hasn’t gotten the following it deserves. The light novel series has been going on for decades and that might part of the reason why the fandom has faded, but the most recent manga adaptation is by the Mangaka behind FMA, and apparently she’s done some changes to the original story. Which is cool.

Also, the whole thing clearly has some thematic and stylistic roots in the Crusades, and that’s got to appeal to western audiences right?

9. Tokyo Ravens

You remember those exorcist anime I mentioned a while ago? Well this is one of them. The short explanation of this series that that it’s about a bunch of high school students studying to be Omnyouji. Which makes it sound a lot like a Japanese Harry Potter, which admittedly it kinda is. Only not. There’s a lot of plot derived from the reincarnation thing and some family politics crossing actual politics.

This is another one where the original source material is a light novel series. It also ends in a sorta-cliffhanger, but I have a bit more hope for a season 2 for this one.

10. Rurouni Kenshin

Okay, this one probably doesn’t need to be on this list since it is still popular, just really OLD so the hype has simmered down, but It needs to come back because WE HAVE A NEW MANGA ARC!!!!! (Can you tell how happy I am?)

Now I could go on and on about how much significance this series has for me personally (I literally discovered online scanlations and the dark web for this series guys) but I’ll spare you the hour-long monologue. Elevator pitch: This is a historical fighting manga with a lot of interesting characters and themes and quite honestly a classic. I’ll admit that there are some issues with the story that weren’t as troubling to high-school-aged me, but overall it’s still a wonderful tale. I mean, the manga inspired a long anime series and 3 live action movies, so that should say something (I feel no urge to watch the OVAs, so let’s not mention them)

11. Silver Spoon (Gin no Saji)

Okay, I’ll be the first to admit that i usually am not attracted to slice of life stories. But a friend recommended this series to me and mentioned it was one of Arakawa’s mangas, so I decided to check it out. A decision I do not regret. The basic plot has to do with a city boy who decided to go to an agriculture high school. Its chock full of culture shock, interesting characters, and a realistic take on the agricultural industry. I identify with this story on a personal level, both because i grew up in a rural area and know how some of the agriculture stuff works and also because the MC is searching for a direction after loosing his “dream.”

Like I said, this series is a slice of life, which generally doesn’t get as much attention as the action-adventure stories.

Got any other animes you think deserve a larger following than they currently have? Feel free to recommend them to me!

#I'M SO SORRY I TOOK SO LONG TO WRITE THIS #I go distracted #and have been getting settled in the new apartement #anime #recommended

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ryukoishida · 7 years

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Arslan Senki Fandom Day 2017 [Encounter] | The second instalment of how idol!Gieve and singer-songwriter!Isfan meet and fall in love.

Written for Arslan Senki Fandom Day 2017 – [Encounter]

Title: Primadonna and the Piano Man [Part II] Author: ryukoishida Character(s)/Pairing(s): Isfan/Gieve Summary: This is the story of how one of the nation’s top idol Gieve and bestselling folk-rock musician Isfan meet (and eventually fall in love). [Idol/Musician!AU] Rating: T Warning: N/A A/N: The song that Isfan and Gieve worked on is based on “Lost One’s Weeping”, links of which you will find in the reblog!

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Sing When You’re in Love Series:

i. We Sing We Dance We Steal Hearts ii. We Sing We Dance We Fall in Love iii. Untitled iv. This Storm, It’s Coming v. I’m Yours (and so are they) vi. Primadonna and the Piano Man [Prequel] [Part I | Part II]

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Despite their temporary truce, their journey to achieve a top hit pop song is perilous and full of conflicts.

The first two sessions mostly involve the two of them throwing general ideas back and forth at each other. The discussion goes from the target audience to the genre of music they want to make. While Gieve is known for his catchy dance pop and sugary love songs mostly aimed at the younger teenage audiences, Isfan’s style strays from folk-rock songs dedicated to nature and romance to melancholic ballads of lost identity and destructive love.

After much shouting, pen-throwing, and paper-crumpling, they’ve finally decided the theme of their song would be about the burdens of education and pressures of expectations that many young people and students face nowadays. It’s a serious but relatable topic that would engage a wide range of listeners. As for the genre, Gieve wants to do a mellower, stripped-down, acoustic version — something that’s more forlorn and heart-wrenching; however, Isfan wants to make it into a rock anthem, angrily declaring the dissatisfaction and resentment, and calling for an action to change.

They reconcile with the decision to try both versions for now, and only after discussion with the producer and other staff will they make their final choice.

Then the song-writing process begins, and it doesn’t get any easier from there.

“This riff here doesn’t sound right,” Gieve, who’s sitting on a stool next to Isfan’s piano bench, is saying as he points at the eleventh and twelfth bars on the music sheet, which have been scrawled with Isfan’s neat handwriting, drawn notes and lines. “It’s not enough…”

“Not enough…?” Isfan glances over at the idol, a single eyebrow quirked up in question and his hands still hovering above the keyboard.

“You know: flair, energy, pizzazz!” Gieve waves his hands in a huge arching gesture, hoping the other man will understand.

Isfan stares blankly back at him, uncomprehending.

“Can you be any more vague?” Isfan heaves out an exasperated sigh and shifts over a little. “Why don’t you just show me? Here.” He pats the empty space next to him, and Gieve only hesitates for half a second before he accepts Isfan’s invitation and plops himself down on the bench.

The worn-out leather and oak seat isn’t really suited for two full-grown adult men, and so even with Isfan basically sitting on the very edge on one side, Gieve’s arm still lightly brushes against his whenever the idol moves just the slightest.

Not that Isfan is paying any special attention to how warm and comfortable Gieve feels sitting so closely next to him, or how nice he smells from whatever cologne he’d sprayed himself with that day, or how elegant and sensual his pale, slender fingers look against the black and white keys of the piano.

“Hmm, I’m thinking maybe something like this,” Gieve plays a series of notes that’s similar to what’s written on the music score, but with a slight variation to the rhythm so that the entire riff sounds a little livelier, a bit richer, than before. He tries a few more variations, his eyebrows puckering in deep concentration as he plays and teases the melodies much like how he does with the strings of his guitar. His glasses are sliding down the bridge of his nose but Gieve doesn’t even seem to notice, and Isfan has the strongest urge to reach over and fix it for him.

“Isfan… Isfan! What do you think?”

“Sorry, what was that?” Isfan instinctively shifts back and almost slips and falls off the bench when he realizes just how close Gieve is — close enough that if he ducks his head slightly, his lips would be touching the soft hair by the idol’s temple.

“The riffs — the ones I just played for you — which one do you think is better?”

To be honest, Isfan has stopped functioning after the first one Gieve has played. Gods. Staying in this god-forsaken studio with no natural lighting coming in for six hours straight is doing weird shit to his mind; he needs a break, and maybe a snack.

“Do you want to go for a break?” Gieve asks as if he’s just read his mind.

“Do you mind? I can use some caffeine and cup noodles.”

Isfan’s stomach growls in agreement.

“You know both those things are bad for your throat, right?” Gieve is surprised to find that the singer-songwriter, who seems so solemn and a stickler for rules at first glance, cares so little about his diet. Having healthy bodies and protecting their voices are especially important for artists like themselves, so ever since Gieve started training with his idol unit, he’d maintained a strict diet and exercise regime.

“Let me have some fun, mother,” Isfan yawns, standing up to stretch. His jeans ride low on his hips and a sliver of tanned skin is shown for just a few seconds, but the little display is enough to give Gieve a tiny heart attack, his cheeks flushing and turning uncomfortably warm.

He clears his throat, and turns away to face the piano when Isfan glances down at him.

“Wow. You? Fun? I never thought I’d hear you wanting to be associated with the word ‘fun’,” Gieve chuckles, getting up as well.

“Oh, fuck off,” Isfan is way too tired and hungry to come up with more creative insults.

“Come on, there’s a place close by that opens late and has really good savory snacks,” Gieve winds an arm around the taller man’s shoulders and steers him out the door.

“But the song…”

Isfan is only planning to quickly whip up some noodles and coffee in the pantry, so a thirty-minute break would have sufficed.

“The song can wait! Come on, come on! My treat!”

By the time they are sitting down to write the lyrics, the two musicians with drastically different roots and conflicting beliefs have become quite in sync in terms of their ideas. Occasionally, bickering would still break out, and staff passing by the studio, the door sometimes left a crack open to let in some air, would hear snippets of “what are you even trying to convey with this line here?” or “that doesn’t even rhyme!”

Even stranger still, those same staff members who’d overheard the arguments would often see Gieve and Isfan coming out of the studio after a few hours, and they would either share companionable silence after a long day of work or chattering about where to get dinner.

One night, the two were kicked out of the studio due to equipment maintenance, but neither of them wanted to stop because they felt like they were on the verge of finally writing something good after days of scraped ideas and ripped up notebook pages, so Gieve invited Isfan back to his place to continue.

Isfan didn’t even think twice before agreeing.

When they were satisfied with what they had written, it was already two o’clock in the morning. The public transit had stopped running and Isfan’s car had been left in the company parking lot, so naturally, Gieve volunteered to make spicy instant noodles with extra toppings and treated themselves with a bottle of ice-cold beer each for the conclusion of the gruesome yet fruitful lyric-writing session.

During the few weeks they spent together, Gieve discovered that Isfan was especially talkative when he got tired, and while they ate, slurping the hot soup and moaning at the deliciousness of cheap MSG-fueled ramen, Isfan began to ask questions.

“Why did you want to become an idol?”

“Finally taken an interest in me, Isfan?” Gieve sent him an exaggerated wink across the steaming pot sitting in the middle of the dining table.

“Just curious.”

“Honestly, it’s the same old story,” Gieve replied after swallowing a mouthful of noodles, “I was scouted by an agent from Ecbatana while I was still in high school. I didn’t have any grand plans back then, and no world-shattering ambitions or goals to speak of, so I thought, ‘Why the hell not? Sounds fun!’ and just went with the flow.”

“That’s so you,” Isfan commented with a small laugh.

“Isn’t it just? And then of course behind all that glamour, rivalry arose, friendships were crushed over jealousy and competition,” Gieve carefully blew on the fishcake dangling between his chopsticks to cool it down before putting it into his mouth.

“But you made it; you’re here,” Isfan said, placing his chopsticks down.

Gieve hummed, and for a brief moment, the two men concentrated on finishing their food and drinks.

“I’m sorry,” Isfan murmured, gaze dropping to the bottle of beer in his hands, fingers dragging droplets of condensation as they left smears on the table, “for my shitty behavior when we first met. I shouldn’t have judged you or your abilities before I even get to know you.”

“I sure showed you though, didn’t I?” Gieve grinned openly, and through the thin veil of steam that was still rising from the pot of finished noodles, he almost seemed surreal, the green of his eyes beckoning him in the fog, the quirk of his lips bearing a subtler message that Isfan had yet to decode, but that strange, clawing feeling disappeared as quickly as it had swooped down over him, and he found himself turning his head away, feeling uncomfortably hot and prickly.

“Isfan?” Gieve leaned over, his face full of concern.

“Sorry, just tired. It’s been a long day.”

Gieve didn’t ask any further.

After putting the dishes away, they settled contentedly on the couch, and with the politics and bloodshed of Game of Thrones playing softly in the background, the two men fell asleep leaning against each other, their breathing slowing down until they became one harmonizing melody.

The only main task left for them is recording the song. The instrumentals for both versions are recorded without any major hitches; Isfan is responsible for playing the piano in the acoustic version while both he and Gieve contribute to the guitar portions in the rock version. The rest of the instrumentals are filled in by the company’s contracted musicians.

However, recording vocals hasn’t gone as smoothly as they’ve hoped.

It has taken Gieve many, many tries before he can pinpoint the exact emotion he wants — that deep, furious growling that he’s still not quite used to but is necessary for this song — without messing up the lyrics, and this is especially difficult due to the unforgivingly swift tempo that leaves the singer with very little space in between to take a breath.

On the contract, it’s been stated that Gieve will be responsible for the main vocals of the single, so while Isfan doesn’t necessarily need to be present for the vocal recording, he still sits in the recording booth with the audio engineer, entranced by the way Gieve puts everything into his singing while he keeps insisting that he can do better and pleads with the recording engineer to let him have another attempt even though his voice is obviously becoming scratchy from overuse.

During the weeks they were working on the melody and lyrics, Isfan already realizes that despite the idol’s seemingly gregarious and flippant personality, as if he never takes anything or anyone seriously, Gieve is an entirely different being when he throws himself deep into his work: he will nitpick and scratch out ideas until he deems the product near perfect to his satisfaction, and this is certainly one quality that Isfan has learned to respect.

About two hours into recording, with almost the entire bottle of water emptied, Isfan signals at the idol for him to come out of the booth, but Gieve merely shakes his head and speaks into the microphone to let them know that he’s still fine to continue.

The audio engineer looks between the two musicians, uncertain of how to proceed, but Isfan gives him a reassuring pat on the shoulder before entering the recording booth himself, half-dragging, half-persuading Gieve to take a much-needed break.

“Just let me try a few more takes! I almost got it, come on—”

“No, your voice is cracking. You need to rest,” Isfan insists.

“Isfan’s right. Let’s give it another go tomorrow,” the audio engineer tells Gieve kindly.

Isfan nods his thanks, and then with a firm and steady hand, he pulls the bewildered idol out the door with a polite “see you tomorrow” aimed at the audio engineer.

“All right, all right, will you let go already?”

Gieve has been blindly following Isfan without really questioning where he’s taking him; not that he has any choice to begin with since the taller man still has a strong hold of his hand as he leads them down one hallway after another. A few passerby staff give them odd looks as they rush past, but they keep the muttering to themselves, though it doesn’t stop all kinds of rumours from spreading outside of the company that will gradually accompany the release of the single in the upcoming weeks.

Isfan finally lets him go when they reach the roof. They’ve taken the stairs instead of the elevator to avoid the worst of the crowd, but even walking up three flights of stairs is enough to make Gieve, who exercises regularly through dance rehearsals and gym visits, sweat and breathe raggedly, his arm hanging onto the railing to support his weight when they finally reach the top.

The roof of Ecbatana Entertainment Productions has been renovated into a garden where employees can rest in a peaceful spot away from the stress and worry of their work for a little while. The place is usually crowded during lunch time, but it is now nearing seven o’clock in the evening, the sky deepening into violet and blue and awash with splashes of pink and gold of the setting sun, the rooftop garden is utterly deserted.

Bushes of blooming lavender planted in squares of soil in the center of the garden create a waft of pleasant and sweet floral scent with a trace of evening summer breeze. Leaves of various plants that neither man remembers the names of whisper and rustle softly around them, and for the moment, they share the illusion of being the only ones in this world as the city halts its steps for the night.

The two men settle on one of the benches that allows them to overlook the city skyline.

“Now that you’ve got me all by my lonesome,” Gieve breaks the silence easily and glances up at him with his infamous smile, the frustration from a few minutes ago gone without a trace as he wraps an arm intimately around Isfan’s shoulders, “is there something you wish to confess?”

Turning to face him properly, Isfan almost loses the ability to speak; their faces are only inches apart, and it reminds him of the first time they met — how irritated he’d felt towards the cheeky idol, how much he’d wanted to push him away and walk out of that room, how much more he’d wanted to pull him in and kiss him until neither of them can breathe.

He exhales slowly, eyes slipping close to refocus, but he doesn’t move away. He doesn’t want to.

“I’m worried about you,” Isfan says.

“Oh,” Gieve chuckles airily, “this is new.”

“I’m serious, damn it,” Isfan grits out, eyes flashing golden and black when he opens them again. “You’ve been pushing yourself too hard for the past week; you’ve barely finished any of your meals, and I know you’ve been chugging energy drinks when you thought nobody’s watching.”

“Well, apparently, someone’s been watching me closely,” Gieve’s grin turns a little mischievous as he leans in even closer, close enough that their breaths are mixing, a hand dragging up to the nape of Isfan’s neck.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Isfan murmurs, feeling the idol’s fingers splayed warm and heavy against the back of his neck, and he’s entirely too distracted by the other man’s eyes, made deeper green by the colored contact lenses and lightly lined in kohl due to an event he needs to attend later on tonight, and his smiling mouth, the subtle twist an alluring challenge, an undeniable invitation.

“Seeking comfort, decreasing my stress levels, trying to make you notice me more, and so on and so forth,” Gieve replies.

Isfan laughs lightly at the last item of Gieve’s statement, clearly amused by the idol’s attempt to flirt with him (which is working weirdly well, all things considered), and Gieve pouts at the reaction, slightly insulted.

“What? Why are you laughing? This is no laughing matter, you know—”

Isfan only laughs harder, the corner of his eyes crinkling and the sound of his laughter soft and rumbling like distant thunder echoing in a forest that sets alight something deep within Gieve, making his blood tremble with delight.

“You’re impossible, you know that?” Isfan says, and then he’s pulling Gieve towards himself by a fistful of his shirtfront, his mouth crashing against the idol’s unceremoniously in a messy kiss.

“And this week, on the Pars Top 40 Chart, a newly released single has reached the number one spot: it’s Gieve, featuring guest artist Isfan, ‘The Lost Ones’ Fantasy’!”

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A/N: Goodness. Excuse the terrible writing. I started giving up towards the end and didn’t really bother anymore…

#arslansenkifandomday2017 #arslan senki #the heroic legend of arslan #gieve #isfan #isfan/gieve #gieve/isfan #bowie's crappy writing

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judaru · 8 years

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Year End Writing Progress Meme

Ahh, I’ve seen a lot of people in the magi fandom doing @dragonofeternal‘s writing meme, and it looked really fun so I thought that I would give it a shot! This year has been really fun for me in terms of writing, and I’ve never really written much before like, September of this year, so I thought it would be fun to reflect on all of the writing and improvement that I’ve done this year! ♡

[Here is my AO3 in case anyone was wondering! I write a lot of Sinju while crying I just… I just want them to be happy so bad *prayer emoji*]

Total Word Count: 77,415 -AO3: 61,873 -WIPs: 4,000 -Planning: 11,542

Total Projects: 14 (most are still just planning tho OTL) Magi: 14 (I also have planning for some Arslan Senki and Twin Signal stuff, but that’s the kind of self-indulgent thing that won’t ever get posted and lives at the bottom of my drafts, so I didn’t think it was worth mentioning ^^;)

Types of Fanfic Projects: -Chaptered Fics: 2 -Oneshots: 5 -WIP/Unposted: 7

Improvement over last year: Infinity LMAO I didn’t really write anything last year! I kinda dabbled in Edvy and stuff but… I don’t really talk about that anymore lmao

AWARDS

Top 3 projects I wrote the most for: 1) Melt (49,629) 2) Mistletoe (3,006) 3) Stay (2,386) (I guess it’s pretty easy to tell where all my effort went… lmaO)

Top 3 most popular by kudos: 1) Melt (150) 2) Stay (47) 3) Ocean’s Kiss (31) (tbh I’m like… really overwhelmed with all of the kudos I’ve gotten ghsudfksfsd I was honestly expecting like a dozen odd kudos and a paperclip because I’ve really just.. never posted writing before?? So the positive feedback was really overwhelming and I cry a lot LMAO)

Top 3 most popular by comment threads: 1) Melt (62) 2) Ocean’s Kiss (11) 3) Stay (6) (Obviously Melt won out because… I’ve put my whole life into it lmaO but I was really really surprised that the Mermaid AU did so well?? Everyone seemed to really like that one kdfjsfs so I’m really excited to write more of it in the coming months !!)

Most fun to write: Oh man rfsjdkhgj I have a lot of fun writing in general aaaaaah that’s why I post so much and clog the archive all the time omg I’m sorry? I think the winner is probably Ocean’s Kiss, my Sinju mermaid AU :’) The concept of a mermaid AU has always been very dear to my heart–the first thing I ever did in magi fandom was actually a mermaid AU rp with my friend–so I had planned to write it from the beginning, tbh? It just took me a while to get to, but it’s just so so much fun to write, I think Judal definitely fits the role of troublemaking siren, with Sinbad as his idiot pirate of course :’) god i love them im gonna start crying Sexiest moment: lmao im 15 and inexperienced and really, really not good at writing sexy scenes sorry @ all of my readers who arent minors hgrfudkfhfj but I guess Burn was fun to write lmao? it was masshar and it was supposed to have a blowjob scene but then i remembered that.. i dont know how to write porn.. so it was just needy sharrkan and grinding gudfkjfsdhc but it was fun i guess Funniest moment: im literally not good at any of these hdiufks my humor scenes fall SO FLAT i hate it but i was laughing at myself in the mermaid au because every time judal smacked sinbad in the face with his tail i felt 10 years being added onto my lifespan tbh.. i was cackling ND ALSO in melt any time ja’far is talking to sinbad about judal frsdkjgvhd i liked those scenes.. every time ja’far said shit like “i mean he’s cute but he can’t be here sin” i laughed @ myself Hardest to write: group settings ugh please kill me i hate when im writing and there’s twelve people in the scene like i’m bound to forget 7 of them its just the nature of the beast? exhausting. like every chapter in melt where there’s a festival and all the generals are there is so harD for me *eyeroll emoji* and i have one more festival scene planned so its gonna have to happen AGAIN and im gonna suffer Big Time™ Biggest Disappointment: i vastly underestimated both the size and demand for masshar fic and i was kinda sad when it only got like 5 kudos hrifgj i really thought there was still a masshar ship community but there wasNT and it flopped lmao. but i still like writing masshar and honestly i’d probably do it again tbh? it was still fun :^) Most Surprising: ocean’s kiss hdsufkfgs lmao that thing got comments from people who hadn’t showed up in the sinju fandom for months to years and i was crying the whole time.. it was a fic that meant a lot to me too so the fact that it got so much sweet feedback really made me ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ Favorite story of the year: probably melt tbh :,) i put my heart and soul into that fic and the fact that it did much, much better than i’d first anticipated just made me so happy ♡ its about halfway done now and I can’t wait to tell the rest of it!! i have so many plans I am crying Something I want to revisit: like, half the chapters in melt ghfudeilfjge anD ALSO THE HOLIDAY AUS i wrote them when i was really sad and upset for Reasons so they weren’t as cheery as i would’ve liked :( first snow was cuter because it was posted later and i was happier then but.. mistletoe was written when i was :V about a lot of things so I’d like to rewrite it someday.. maybe next christmas :’)

What writing risks did I take and how did they pay off: I.. honestly didn’t take that many risks? I think the biggest risk that I ever could’ve taken was to write for myself. I really really tried to write only things that made me happy, and I was really nervous as to how the reception of that would be, but it turned out really well!! I’ve got a lot of sweet comments and feedback from readers, and the response was more than I every could’ve asked for ♡ Writing goals for 2017: my goal is to finish Melt before the end of the school year, preferably before the end of April. I also just really wanna try harder to stick to my freaking update schedule because, like, some people are banging out a solid 7k every week, people with JOBS, and I’m still in high school and I can barely finish my measly 4k by Sunday ghfdklrgjdj. I just need to work harder on time management tbh, but overall I just wanna write more in 2017!

This was really fun to do!! Thanks again to dragonofeternal for sharing their template, I think doing these meme really helped me get my thoughts together and decide where to go with my writing in 2017. I can’t wait to write more for the new year! ♡

#magi #sinju #my writing #lmao i kinda lost hold on grammar like halfway through this and just started bsing everything #its like 1am nd im TIRED #but this was fun :^)#thanks for sharing the template!

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sormikhell · 7 years

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K L J A D

For this ask meme

K - Kanda Yuu from D.Gray-Man! I started watching this series back in… 2012 I think? The whole story and settings captured me, especially the scad’s backstory.

I liked Kanda the minute I saw him but I first started to really love him during the Noah’s Ark arc. I still tear up when I think of the scene where Alen and Kanda has an argument about who’s being slow now XD

L - Laurent of Vere from Captive Prince trilogy! My intelligent, sarcastic and misunderstood baby, who has a tragic past and still has a heart of gold. He just hides it incredibly well.

Unlike Damen, I fell in love with Laurent the minute he opened his mouth. Throughout the first book I had a feeling that normally Laurent is not like this (and had my suspicions confirmed when he helped Erasmus). Of course, his actions are not torelable but he had a reason behind those actions, even though it’s not a good one.

But he had a considerable amount of character development (manly thanks to you, Damen) and so he became a happy and carefree youth he was always supposed to be (he’s just 20 years old and went through so much shit it could stop the freaking Niagara). I shall protect him with my life.

J - Jude Mathis from Tales of Xillia! I’ve just started to watch a playthrough but I’m already in love with him? He’s caring, a great friend and emotional support plus I love when he blushes!

He’s a little bit dense sometimes, but I can see the traces of Sorey’s personality in him (or should I say it the other way around?). He worries for everyone and can go to extrame length for his friends.

Not to mention I’m already a JuMilla shipper but I feel like this ship doesn’t have a potential future like SorMik does… which is… kinda sad.

A - Arthur Kirkland aka England aka the King of my Heart from Hetalia! He is the reason I’m in any fandom as up until I met him I never wanted to be in any fandom, anime or else.

My love gradually grow for him, for his sarcastic attitude, for his tsundere behaviour. He’s playful if he wants to be, a massive rock of stubborness and will if the circumstances require that from him, but sometimes still a little, full of innocence kid who has a not so happy childhood at his back. He doesn’t trust easily yet he cares about other’s well-being.

He’s at least 90% like me in personality, so maybe that’s the reason I can relate to him and love him that much. (Mikleo’s the other one so he officially hold the title of the Queen of my Heart since September but shhhh)

D - Daryuun from Arslan Senki! He’s a kind of recent addition to my favourites as I finished the series a week ago. He looks like Kimblee from FMA and for like the first five minutes of seeing him I was laughing my ass off. They’re the exact polar opposits in terms of personality and it still cracks me up a little bit every time.

The reason I love him is mainly his loyalty and unwavering will and strenght when it comes to Arslan. His overprotectiveness is cute and funny (the 2 OVAs were best in that regard) and he has a caring but brutal personality too.

He’s always there for Arslan and his friends and is a great fighter, so what else do you need when you have to take back your country?

Now that I’m finished with this… I think I have a slight attraction to sarcastic characters with a troubled past… I mean it’s 3/5 for that… and not all of them are my absolute favourites… now then.. what does that say about me, I wonder?

Thank you for asking! :*

#kanda yuu #d.gray-man #laurent of vere #captive prince #jude mathis #tox #tales of xilla #aph england #arthur kirkland #hetalia #daryuun #arslan senki #I may or may not be a total weirdo #but it's cool #I think #they're my babies #pls don't hurt them #Anonymous

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hyakunana · 7 years

Photo

The Black Guardian - Encounter - A Destiny crossover AU where thousands of years have passed and Daryun is revived as one of the chosen by the Light

Becaaause yeah i’m too sold for this game atm oops

Work 3 pt1 /3 for Arslan Senki Fandom week 2k17

#arslan senki #arslansenkifandomweek2017 #daryun #crossover #destiny #The Heroic Legend of Arslan #destiny the game #comic #by thousand of years i really mean THOUSANDS OF YEARS #and then little brother broke my dreams in the middle of my work saying that 'no they do'nt remember shit'#so i had to make the best-narsus-of-my-life almost invisible as if he was slowl forgetting #bUT IT WAS STILL THE BEST NARSUS OF MY LIFE WHY #and i dare to say best arslan too but idk this one i have drew a lot #the real plot twist is thatg i aimed to do daryun in my game as a titan but ended up doing arslan himself lol #fanarts of him in an incoming future #anyway there's a 2nd art for this au i'll post a bit later

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hyakunana · 7 years

Photo

Two travelers - a nothing-bad-happens ending where Elam starts traveling with Gieve to visit the legendary places he always wanted to see

Work 1/3 for Arslan Senki Fandom week 2k17

#arslan senki #The Heroic Legend of Arslan #arslansenkifandomweek2017 #elam #gieve #fanart #did i know how i wanted the ruins to look like?#obviously not i literally only randomly drew it i'm sorry fkgkdfgsd #anyway i wanted a not obvious pair to start so here it is #tomorrow is my fav duo yet not necessarily a ship #(older arusen followers might know which one is)#and after tomorrow the crossover i did FIVE ARTS FOR IT I AM SORRY #i already said in my twitter which crossover is rofl

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hyakunana · 7 years

Photo

A bandit and a knight - a forever salty tale of a duo full of potential wasted by the novel author himself orz

Work 2/3 for Arslan Senki Fandom week 2k17

#arslan senki #the heroic legend of arslan #merlane #etoile #arslansenkifandomweek2017 #fanart #tok tok hello arakawa i've been praying for you since last year but my prays continues #please give value to them on manga please i never asked you anything else #at least give me the stop imitating me moment please pla e slsdfh #also tomorrow is the crossover one lol i said i did five and i did but one i didn't save rofl

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arslansenkifandomweek · 7 years

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i could be mistaken but i thought i read before in your guidelines that you don't accept works with adult/minor pairings but its either not there anymore or was never there in the first place. id like to ask that you do make it a rule, otherwise id rather not participate in something that condones that. i say this because i know its a huge problem in this fandom. thanks!

Thank you for going through our rules and guidelines.

We feel strongly that the Arslan Senki Fandom Weeks should be comfortable for everyone. The fandom is based on a work from the 80’s and with several reboots, this international fandom will be comprised of teens as well as adults.

Therefore, we have revised the rules and points in the tag directory regarding pairings involving underage characters.

Acknowledging that there is a time skip after the 7th novel and e.g. that Narsus X Alfreed is canon, these are the type of works we will accept:

The work takes place after the time skip so that both parties of the pairing are at least 18 and older.

Two underage characters have a non-sexual encounter (goes no further than kissing).

The work features an underage character with an unrequited crush on someone older.

We will not accept works featuring an adult romantically or sexually involved with a minor.

Kind regards

Colle

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ryukoishida · 7 years

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Arslan Senki Fandom Day [Encounter] | In which top idol!Gieve and folk-rock musician!Isfan collaborate.

Written for Arslan Senki Fandom Day 2017 – [Encounter]

Title: Primadonna and the Piano Man [Part I] Author: ryukoishida Character(s)/Pairing(s): Isfan/Gieve Summary: This is the story of how one of the nation’s top idol Gieve and bestselling folk-rock musician Isfan meet (and eventually fall in love). [Idol/Musician!AU] Rating: T Warning: N/A A/N: Yes, I’m writing that self-indulgent AU that nobody cares for again. Sue me. Also this got too long so I’m splitting it into two parts. Sorry.

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Sing When You’re in Love Series:

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“It’s impossible.”

“But Isfan—”

“There’s no way in hell—”

The agitated fingers on the fretboard dance in an even more erratic rhythm, his right hand strumming harder in a frail attempt to drown out his well-meaning manager’s desperate plead. The chords reverberate raucously within one of the soundproof practice rooms in the core building of Ecbatana Entertainment Productions.

“Will you put away your guitar and just listen to me for one moment, please?” Lucian, hair swept back into a half-ponytail and streaked with silver-grey, frowns disapprovingly, the lines around his eyes deepening as he leans against the wall with a rumbling sigh.

Isfan is usually one of the more easygoing artists to deal with in the company, but being the manager of this particular singer-songwriter — infamous in the music industry for being exceedingly serious and painstakingly methodical when it comes to his compositions and lyrics-writing, as well as being a little too opinionated about the idol culture, among other controversies — for the last few years, Lucian has seen him at his worst.

Trying to convince him to collaborate with one of the nation’s top idol, as Lucian soon discovers, turns out to be even more of a challenge than he’s initially anticipated.

“According to Farangis, he’s the one who personally wants to invite you for this collaboration,” Lucian’s mouth curves up in amusement as he continues, “apparently, he likes, and I quote, ‘the impossible way he can tug at my heartstrings while playing the piano with such a straight face and singing about a haunted ship and dead lovers’.”

Isfan snorts in reply. So, that man has done his homework after all, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s an arrogant, flippant man with over-the-top make-up and even stranger hairstyle that seems to change every time he appears for an event or talk show (not that Isfan had been paying any particular attention) who dares to call himself a musician, when all he seems to be capable of doing is dancing to mainstream pop and singing such cliché, sickly saccharine love songs the lyrics of which may as well have been written by a sixth-grader bearing their first crush.

If there’s one thing he detests the most in the world, it’s crudely-crafted, shallow combinations of words that disguised themselves as lyrics.

“Have you ever seen him perform?” Lucian can practically see the weaving pathways in his protégé’s brain busily working out this disaster of an idea.

“How long have you known me, Lucian?” he asks, quirking up an eyebrow, the answer clear as day.

“You haven’t,” Lucian announces with quiet triumph, “then maybe you shouldn’t judge him so harshly. I’ve seen footage of his performances when he was still with his previous idol unit and I’ve got to say, that boy’s got charisma and one hell of a voice.”

Isfan’s responding hum is brisk and non-committed.

Lucian was the one who discovered him in a local bar and restaurant when he had been working part-time, performing mellower versions of top 40 hits on a tiny stage in a dimmed corner for patrons who hardly paid attention to him or his music, to support his last year of college. When the music producer approached him, business card and genuine smile intact, Isfan was still suspicious of the stranger’s intent until he recognized the face and voice of the famous rock musician who had been most active about two decades ago, and Isfan only knew of him because his elder brother Shapur was a huge fan and would constantly play Lucian’s CDs in the car and at home.

It has been five years since then, and Isfan has learned very early on to trust Lucian. Not only was Lucian a talented musician back in his prime years, but he’s also a capable manager who understand his charge's needs and tries his hardest to accommodate Isfan’s wishes whenever possible. Of course, there had also been times when they had their disagreements, but these were rare and far in between, and during the few instances that happened, Lucian had made the right calls.

Isfan would trust his career and future in Lucian’s hands, but this collaboration will surely end in nothing but a catastrophe — a catastrophe Isfan would rather avoid at all costs.

Attempting his best to put on an optimistic air, Lucian starts again, “I’ve already arranged everything with his manager; all we need is for you two to find some time to get together during the next few weeks to work on the single.”

“I’m too busy,” Isfan immediately replies with a hint of a smug grin.

“I cleared out your schedule,” Lucian smiles back pleasantly, knowing exactly how the singer-songwriting will counter.

“But I need the time to work on my new materials,” Isfan protests.

“And how are those new songs coming along?” Lucian asks pointedly.

“…”

He doesn’t mention the scrawled-out melodies on crumpled pieces of paper or the many deleted or discarded samples on his laptop. Lucian probably already knows and is just saving Isfan from embarrassing himself.

“That’s what I figure. Look, you know I always respect your talent and artistic freedom,” Lucian says.

“Then you understand that it takes time to craft something that’s better than the previous album,” Isfan mumbles, fingers mindlessly plucking the strings in a nameless melody.

“I understand perfectly,” Lucian reassures him with a grim expression, “but don’t forget that the music industry is still business to the higher-ups. They only care about the results and profits, and at the rate you’re going right now, you’re not giving them anything. It has been more than six months since you’ve released any new content; the fans may be patient enough to wait for you, but the company is less forgiving.”

That’s one thing Isfan dislikes being a contracted artist at a major label; everything is about money, money, money. It’s not that he doesn’t understand their side, but it doesn’t stop him from feeling the frustration and unease roiling in his chest that can only be assuaged by banging loudly on a drum-set. Percussion is not his strength, but it sure feels satisfying.

“Even…” Isfan glances up at his manager, fingers slowing down the strumming, “even if I were to work on a collaboration, does it have to be him?”

Seeing a crack gradually opening up, Lucian quickly takes advantage, “You might not see it now, but perhaps he’s the spark of inspiration you need to get you moving forward.”

“You think?” Isfan sounds doubtful.

“It’ll be beneficial for both parties,” Lucian nods with a relieved smile, “I’m sure of it.”

Isfan isn’t sure of anything anymore.

He pauses before the door of the studio, sharp topaz eyes glancing through the glass only to spot an unfamiliar figure inside: the young man donned in a knitted sweater half a size too big for his frame and skinny jeans that accentuates the length of his legs is sitting on the plastic chair and plucking the strings of his acoustic guitar delicately, dark purple hair the shade of twilight bunched up with hairclips to keep forelocks from blocking his sight, a pair of plastic, black-rimmed glasses sitting on the bridge of his nose and making his eyes impossibly green, and he’s solely focused on the scattered sheets on the music stand.

Isfan checks the room number again to make sure he’s at the right place.

He is.

His grip on the strap of his guitar case tightens a degree, and then he knocks on the door two times. Without waiting for an invitation to come in, he turns the knob and lets himself into the studio with confident steps, a challenging glint in his eyes, and firm line to his lips.

The man with the obnoxious purple hair looks up, eyes widening in surprise as if he hasn’t expected any guests even though they have arranged this meeting just two days prior.

“Damn, those MVs didn’t do you any justice. At all.”

“Excuse me?”

This is clearly a mistake, Isfan thinks as he walks up to the man who still has a guitar in his lap. Isfan’s height easily towers over the other man’s, but he seems nonchalant about the intimidating aura Isfan’s body language is emitting.

“It’s a compliment,” he explains with a flirtatious grin as he pulls himself up after placing his guitar on a nearby stand, and with how close they’re standing, he has to crane his neck a little to stare at Isfan straight in the eyes, sea-green irises bold and unafraid. “I’m Gieve. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I hope we’ll be able to work well together.”

The folk-rock musician is ready to either throw a punch at the idol’s incredibly pretty face and risk getting yelled at by Lucian, or pull him in and kiss that insufferable smirk away. He chooses to do neither; instead, inhaling deeply in an attempt to calm himself down, he pulls a chair over, folds himself into the seat elegantly, and begins to take out his instrument and some notes he’s made beforehand — lyrics ideas and snippets of melodies he’d been working on that might act as starting points for this collaboration.

He’s a professional, Isfan reminds himself like a chant, he’s a professional and he’ll act like one, and he will not let this damn idol get the better of him with his terrible flowery rhetoric or his dazzling smile that has successfully slain thousands of fanboys and fangirls all over the country.

“Isfan,” he coldly introduces himself and presses his lips tightly together without another word.

“Oh, a little shy, are we?” Gieve takes his seat and picks up his guitar once more, fingers idly caressing the strings as a gentle series of notes begin to form and flow like a small creek drifting smoothly over pebbles warmed by the sun in the depth of summer.

Isfan is about to open his mouth to snap a retort, but he’s genuinely surprised by the strange complexity of the chords and notes weaving together into this seemingly light and buoyant tune, so much so that his fingers are trembling slightly as they crave to touch the cool, ivory keys of a piano to play the harmony to accompany the sweet melody of the guitar.

“You wrote that?” Isfan asks when Gieve stops abruptly, breaking the brunet’s trance.

“Still tinkering with it.”

“It’s… it’s good,” he’s staring at the music stand when he says it, his eyes not quite meeting Gieve’s.

“That was really difficult for you to admit, wasn’t it?” Gieve grins knowingly, and the expression only grows more imminent when he sees Isfan’s cheeks staining red at being found out. He stands up once more and stalks towards Isfan, almost like a predator, the sharp gleam in his eyes merciless, though a small smile still curves along his lips as he closes the gap between them. “What? You think I got to this point in my career just by looking pretty and knowing how to dance and sing? Don’t look down on idol culture, Isfan. A lot of us worked hard since we were teenagers, and less than half of us would even make it past the eliminations to get a chance to perform on stage. So, if you think I’m just going to let you push me around while we’re working on this project because you think you’re more musically superior to me or whatever, you better think again.”

Their faces are mere inches away from each other’s, and Isfan can feel Gieve’s frenzied, heated breaths against his cheek, his sea-green eyes brightened from agitation. Isfan gulps, gaze unable to rip away from the idol’s intense stare, and when he finally realizes they’ve remained in this awkward position for way too long, he shoves the idol away by the shoulders, causing Gieve to stumble a few steps back into a safe distance.

“Did you only invite me for the collab just so you can give me a lecture?” Isfan mutters darkly, “If so, then well-fucking-done. Shall I see myself out now that you’re finished?”

He begins to stuff his guitar back into the case, but a hand wrapped firmly around his forearm makes him freeze.

“Calm down,” Gieve laughs and let go of Isfan’s arm when the brunet sends him a glare, his previous irritation seeming to have dissipated without a trace, his smile once more bright and harmless if a little too cunning. “I didn’t know what I was expecting, but given the theatrical lyrics you write, I should have guessed that you’re as melodramatic as they come.”

It looks like Isfan is about to protest again but Gieve is quicker, “Look, the reason why I want to collaborate with you is because I truly admire your music and tenacity to strive for perfection. I’ll be frank with you: I’m sick of always doing dance pop and being assumed that I can only do one genre of music; I want to do something new, something unexpected and exciting that would make the fans happy. What about you?”

Gieve settles back on his chair, cradling his guitar and strumming a chord with practiced hand.

“What do you mean?”

The idol’s gaze is unsettling, yet Isfan is unable to look away.

“What do you want out of this collaboration?”

He thinks back to the past six months when he tried to write and rewrite so many melodies, none of them to his satisfaction, each seeming to be missing a piece, lacking the passion, the energy, and the soul of his previous works. He’d locked himself in the studio for hours on end; he’d travelled to the countryside to get inspiration and peace; he’d even attempted to write after he’d gotten himself drunk just enough to be tipsy and his emotions were allowed to burst forth onto blank pages without his usual constraint.

None of those had worked.

He sits up straight and clears his throat.

“I want to move forward with my music; I want to transform what I’ve achieved before and turn it into something different but still irrevocably me…” Isfan has never imagined that telling Gieve, of all people, would feel like this — as if he’s sharing this insurmountable pressure and frustration that he’d been unable to disclose to anyone else because he’d always been able to handle this on his own.

But this is a collaboration; he has a partner this time, and it looks like Gieve is just as ambitious and driven as he is in this regard.

“So, it seems like we have a similar goal,” Gieve’s smile grows wider, almost scheming.

“It would seem so, yes,” Isfan is still wary of the other man’s intention but he’s willing to hear him out for now.

“I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s go big or go home. So why don’t we aim for our song to reach the number one spot in the Pars Top 40 chart?”

#arslansenkifandomday2017 #arslan senki #the heroic legend of arslan #gieve #isfan #isfan/gieve #gieve/isfan #bowie's crappy writing

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purpleswans1 · 7 years

Photo

A funny comic for Arslan Senki Fandom Week.

Art by Daryun on the Arslan Senki Amino. Permission to repost given by artists.

Source

#arslansenkifandomday2017 #arslan senki #the heroic legend of arslan #narsus #daryun #repost

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purpleswans1 · 7 years

Text

Encounters of a Personal Nature

*Shows up at the last minute with Gieve headcanons* Here’s my submission for Arsan Senki Fandom Week.

Read also on FF, AO3 and Amino for detailed Author’s notes

Narsus looked down at a map, rubbing his chin in thought. “Your Highness, I’m afraid the only logical route we can take is through the country of Creta.”

Gieve froze at the sound of the country’s name. Luckily, nobody in Arslan’s camp noticed him since they were all listening to the master tactician.

“That is the small country just to the north of Pars, is it not?” Arslan asked. “If I recall correctly, they are on good terms with Pars, though I’ll admit I don’t know much about the country.”

“Nor does anyone else, your Highness,” Narsus assured the prince. “Creta has adopted a policy of isolation in order to avoid confrontations with other countries. The few merchants who trade with them are forbidden from discussing their experiences there. All we really know about them is that they have a surplus in mineral resources they are willing to sell.”

“I see,” Arslan nodded. “But Narsus, if the country is so opposed to foreign contact, how will we be able to pass through it?”

“To be perfectly honest Highness, I’m not sure,” Narsus admitted. “I just know that this is the only path that isn’t blocked by Lusitanians or any of their allies.”

“Why don’t we just sneak in through the mountains?” Alfreed suggested.

“Unfortunately, that’s not feasible with the Calvary at our back.” Narsus explained. “If it were just the 8 of us it would be possible, but not with the army behind us.”

“Well, I doubt it would be wise to march though a another country with an army without permission from the king of that country.” Arslan said.

“Yes, which puts us in a difficult situation.” Narsus admitted. “If we knew more about the country, such as the location of defense outposts, we could send a message to negotiate with the King of Creta. Unfortunately, I do not know of anyone with this knowledge.”

The other participants of the meeting grumbled in dejection. To have Lord Narsus admit to being at a loss was a terrible sign for the company.

“Your Highness,” Gieve began, getting everyone’s attention. “As you are well aware, my occupation was that of a traveling musician before I came to be in your service. I am extremely well-traveled, and have even wandered into these parts in the past. I may be able to point out some outposts nearby, so that you may do as Lord Narsus suggests.”

The prince’s face brightened at the bard’s words. “That is wonderful! Thank you Gieve.”

Gieve became nervous when he saw how much stock the Prince probably put in his information. “I should warn you though, your Highness, I haven’t been here for over five years. This information may be out of date.”

“Nonetheless, out of date information is better than no information in this case.” Narsus said. “We should tread cautiously, but this is better than going in blindly. If you don’t mind, I would appreciate it if you pointed out as many major landmarks along the border as you can, so that we may formulate a strategy for negotiating with the Cretans.”

Gieve nodded, though deep down he regretted his decision to speak.

“Big brother! Please, sing me a song!” A little girl whined in the back of a cart.

“O-ho! Well, if you insist dear Lira.” A boy only a couple of years older than his sister picked up a oud and strummed the string. “Tell me, what kind of song shall I sing? The kind drunk men sing at taverns?”

“Noooo! I want a story song!” The girl objected.

“A ballad then.” The boy concluded. “Well then, what kind of ballad would you like to hear? An epic about a great warrior-king and his magnificent deeds? Or a love story about a beautiful woman and her star-crossed lover?”

The little girl pursed her lips, thinking hard. “Do you know any about a girl that marries a righteous king? Or maybe about a really important official, like Father!”

“Hmmm, I don’t think they write any songs about politicians,” the boy said, “but I’m sure we could make one up!”

“Yay! I’ll come up with the words, you come up with the tune!” the girl cheered.

“Children, put the instrument away. We’re almost at the palace.” The children’s father, a nobleman riding his horse beside the cart, insisted.

“Yes father,” both children obediently chanted dishearteningly. The boy set his oud down gently, making sure it wouldn’t be jostled too much with the bumps along the road.

“I hope you two remember to remain on your best behavior. You’re going to be living in the same house as the king. This is a very important position I’ve been given, and a lot of people will expect great things from us. I hope you will rise to the occasion,” the father explained.

“We shall, father,” the little girl said.

The family soon passed through a large gate. On the other side, several men and one young boy were waiting for them on horseback.

“Ah, my old friend,” the rider in front greeted the father. “I trust your journey was pleasant?”

“It was, your Majesty,” the father replied. “I am honored by your concern.”

The boy in the cart perked up. From the way his father was speaking, the man in front must be the king. But, he didn’t look majestic or extraordinary or at all like the songs described a king to be.

The boy was baffled by this.

The king eyed the children in the cart. “I assume these are your heirs?”

The father nodded. “Yes sire, these are my children. Gieve is my heir, and his sister is called Lira.”

The king gestured to the young boy behind him. “This is my son and the future king, Prince Omar. He is about the same age as your boy, so perhaps it would be wise to have them play together. Especially if you intend to have your son succeed you in every way.”

The father nodded again. “That does sound like a good idea, your Majesty.”

Gieve, the boy in the cart, looked at the person who’d just been identified as the prince. He looked rather ordinary, not particularly handsome or athletic or anything else the songs said a prince should be.

Gieve was baffled by this.

“Your Highness! A message has come from Creta!”

Arslan and his army were camped just outside the Cretan border, where they had been for the past three days. Elam had approached a military outpost just inside the borders waving a white flag, and had asked for a letter written by Prince Arslan to be delivered to the King of Creta. When the message was sent, the soldiers had allowed Elam to return to the camp on the condition that he told his company to remain outside the borders of Creta until further notice.

Arslan greeted the messenger. “Please, let me see what they have to say.”

Arslan unrolled the scroll and read quickly. In only a few seconds he was smiling. “The King has allowed us to pass through his country!” As he read further though, his eyes started to narrow in worry. “He has also invited me and my retainers to dine with him in his castle. I feel like… that is likely a trap of some sort.”

Narsus smirked proudly at his prince’s intuition. “Your thoughts are the same as mine, your Highness. Though, I don’t think we could afford to refuse, as that would be an insult to his Majesty the King of Creta. We should accept this invitation, but make plans in case a trap is sprung. Gieve,” Narsus turned to the musician, “you are the only one among us with any knowledge of this country. What do you make of this?”

Gieve frowned, unwilling to involve himself in this matter. “Your Highness, may I see the letter?”

Arslan handed the scroll to him.

Gieve read the letter.

To Prince Arslan, Son of Andragoras and Tahamine, Crown Prince of Pars,

I have received your request for permission to march across my territory, and I am inclined to grant it under a few conditions. First, you must promise not to disrupt my people’s lives as you pass through. I am instructing a guide to lead your company along our roads so that you may avoid this. Second, if you have need of food or lodgings, you must pay for them as any other traveler would. If you have need of it, I would be willing to loan you money. Third, neither you nor your men must commit any violent crimes as they cross my territory. If you cannot abide by these stipulations, then I will not be able to allow you within these borders again.

I rarely get the opportunity to meet anyone outside my country, so I would like to invite you and your retainers to dine with me in my castle. My hope is that we may be able to develop a relationship that will benefit both our countries.

Sincerely,

Omar, King of Creta.

Gieve looked up from the letter and thought carefully. Both the handwriting and the phrasing are Omar’s, so it’s unlikely that he is simply doing as an advisor of his commands. Still, he isn’t the man I once knew…

“His interest in meeting you seems genuine, your Highness,” Gieve said. “Still, I share Lord Narsus’s concerns. We can’t be sure that the King and his advisors aren’t planning something for us.”

“We should send someone to scout the area and keep a watch for assassins and other traps, your Highness.” Elam recommended. “I could go.”

“I should be the one to go,” Gieve suggested.

Everyone looked at him like he’d grown a second head.

“I’m surprised you’d willingly give up the chance to socialize with palace girls,” Alfreed noted.

“Eh…” Gieve moved his hands behind his head. “I’m afraid my presence in this diplomatic meeting would do more harm than good.”

“You fraternized with the wrong woman and got yourself kicked out, didn’t you?” Daryun guessed.

“Well, although it is true that I have a connection to a certain beautiful woman there,” Gieve admitted, “I am afraid that the full situation is more complicated than that, and I’d rather just avoid the subject entirely.”

“Come on Omar! This way!” A teenaged Gieve climbed over a castle wall and encouraged his friend to do the same.

The prince of Creta pushes himself up. “It’s weird, hearing someone other than my mother and father refer to me by my name.”

Gieve laughed. “Well, I can’t exactly call you ‘your Highness’ when we’re sneaking out, can I?”

“Why are we sneaking out anyway?” Omar asked. “It would be a lot easier to go out with escorts and probably a lot safer!”

“Did you not ask me just yesterday to help you become a great king?” Gieve asked, helping his friend over the wall and jumping down. “The best way you can figure out what you need to do is by learning about the great kings of the past. To do that, it is best to hear the legends and songs about them. As for why we are going in secret, common people treat you differently when they know you are royalty or even nobility. If you want to learn the true knowledge these people have, it is best to act like you are the same as them.”

“But why can you not just tell me the stories and sing me the songs?” Omar asked.

“Believe me, I would like to be able to sing you every song in existence, but I don’t know them all,” Gieve explained. “That being said, we can’t go back until I’ve learned a new song. I promised Lira as much.”

Omar turned to his friend in surprise. “Lira enjoys songs?”

Gieve smiled, understanding the young, love-stuck prince’s interest. “Indeed, she does.”

Omar nodded and looked forward with a determined look. “In that case, I better learn several songs tonight.”

When Arslan and his companions passed through the city gates, they were greeted by a young man, woman, and child wearing crowns.

“Are you Prince Arslan of Pars?” The man asked.

“I am,” Arslan replied. “Am I addressing his Majesty King Omar of Creta?”

“You are,” King Omar nodded. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine as well.” Arslan said graciously.

King Omar gestured to the woman beside him. “Allow me to introduce my wife, Queen Lira of Creta.”

Arslan nodded at the woman. “It is an honor, Queen Lira.”

The Queen gave a short curtsy to the prince.

“And this is my son, Prince Hondal,” Kind Omar said, indicating the child.

Arslan gave the young prince a smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Prince.”

The boy gave a small bow, then ran off back to the palace.

“ You’ll have to excuse my son, he’s very young and hasn’t met strangers before. Please, Prince Arslan, would you come join me inside?” King Omar asked.

Arslan dismounted and handed the reigns of his horse to a nearby servant before following the King through the palace doors. He could hear his companions doing the same behind him.

The Royal Palace of Ceta was magnificent. The entry hallway had a high dome ceiling with intricate designs carved into the framework. The magnificent decorations that lined the walls gave it a sense of complexity, and likely hid many secret holes for people to hide in.

Arslan suspected that Gieve was hiding in one of these holes.

A middle-aged man in simple yet impractical robes came out of a nearby hallway and bowed to King Omar “Your Majesty.”

The King pushed his shoulders back, giving a stance of someone who had to put on airs. “Grand Visir Sergence. Have you finished making arrangements for our Parsian guests?”

The Grand Visir straightened and cast a wary glance at Arslan and his company. “I have sir, though I wish that you had consulted me before extending the invitation. I would have been able to…”

“Advise me against it, I’m sure.” Omar interrupted his advisor. “Is there a reason why you’re here? I’m entertaining guests.”

Grand Visir Sergence pulled out a scroll and handed it to his king. “It is a small matter, and I would be happy to deal with it myself if you would give me leave…”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” King Omar took the scroll and scanned it quickly. “I wouldn’t call this a small matter. Lira, would you mind showing our guests their rooms, then come join me in the throne room?”

The Queen nodded.

“In that case, you have my apologies Prince Arslan, but there is something I must attend to.” Omar explained.

“Oh, there is no problem.” Arslan graciously replied. “I certainly wouldn’t want you to neglect your people on my account.”

“I see. I shall see you for dinner tonight then.” With that, King Omar quickly left, his Grand Visir following behind.

“Please follow me, Prince Arslan.” Queen Lira led the guests down a grand hallway to the right. Although they all followed obediently, Narsus and Daryun fell back and out of earshot of the Queen.

“What do you make of this King Omar?” Daryun asked.

Narsus sighed. “It’s too soon to tell his true nature, but it is blatantly obvious he does not trust his own Grand Visir. Whether this is the mark of a tyrant, or someone who is attempting to walk his own path remains to be seen.”

Daryun nodded. “I see.”

Narsus frowned. “Tell me, old friend, if our Prince had never met the two of us, do you think that he would have ended up in a position where he couldn’t trust those around him?”

“I’m not sure,” Daryun said. “But I suspect not. His Highness has a charisma that inspires loyalty, and his personality brings out the best in people. Still, power-hungry men would certainly wish to take advantage of him, so it’s likely that without the confidence he’s learned since I met him he would become a puppet to others.”

Narsus closed his eyes. “In any case, I’m glad we’ll never know what would have actually happened and we serve the prince we do.”

A newly crowned King Omar buried his face in his hands and wept. “I can’t do this. There’s no way I can follow in father’s footsteps.”

Gieve placed a hand on the new King’s shoulder. “You don’t have to do this alone, your Majesty. My Father is still Grand Visir, and I’ll follow in his footsteps. You know you can trust us, you always have.”

King Omar lifted his face. “It sounds weird now, hearing that title from you.”

The barest hint of a smirk appeared on Gieve’s face. “Well, it is only proper. I would be happy to call you simply ‘my friend Omar’ while we are in private, though.”

“I would appreciate that.” King Omar looked out the window, not so subtly avoiding Gieve’s eyes. “Gieve, I think that the people need something to restore their confidence in their King.”

Gieve frowned. “Because of the conditions of your father’s death?”

“He showed no signs of illness, yet suddenly passed in the night. I had barely begun to learn from him what would be expected of me as a king.” Omar reminded Gieve.

“True, it does have the signs of foul play.” Gieve mused.

“That’s why I want to go through with something that my father had whole-heartedly supported. I intend to make Lira my queen.”

Gieve smirked at that. “Well, I certainly have no objections. You have been betrothed to my sister for many months now, and she has been smitten with you since we were children. By all means, go forward with the wedding, and let the dreams of the future wash away the uncertainties of the past.”

“It means a great deal to me that I’ll be ruling with both of my best friends by my side: Lira as my Queen, and you as my advisor and someday Grand Visir,” Omar said.

Gieve laughed. “Well, I’m certainly a long way away from becoming Grand Visir. Right now, I’ll remain satisfied in my father’s shadow, using my skill with weapons to protect you and my talent for music to ease your burdens.”

“That may be, but someday they shall sing songs of Gieve the great hero of Creta and his many accomplishments,” Omar said.

“Only in reference to the Great King Omar and the Magnificent Queen Lira, I’m sure.” Gieve picked up an oud and strummed the strings. “That is surely a song I would enjoy learning.”

“Speaking of songs, would you mind playing one for me?” Omar asked. “Something about a king similar to what I aim to be.”

Gieve strummed the strings again. “I have just the song, old friend.”

The next time Arslan was able to meet with his host , it was during dinner. While Arslan enjoyed the company of all his companions, the only people present from Creta were the royal family. Arslan found this concerning.

“The food here is excellent, King Omar,” Arslan complimented.

The King looked genuinely relieved. “I’m glad you think that. I’ll pass on the compliment to the cook.”

Prince Hondal picked at his food a little but soon put it down. “Mama? May I be excused?”

“Yes dear.” The Queen seemed to be more at ease than Arslan or anyone in his company. She probably knew whatever was going on, and either didn’t expect anything to go wrong or had no concerns with what it would mean to her.

As Hondal left, his father turned to Arslan. “You’ll have to excuse him, he’s rather young and not yet used to the formality of court.”

“There is nothing to excuse,” Arslan said. “Like you said, he is young, and isn’t childhood a time to enjoy?”

“You’re right,” King Omar said.

Arslan cast his host a sideways glance. He’d like to think that his host was a good man, but considering the fact that he had his hands full with the war with Lusitania and his experiences in Sindhura, he couldn’t afford to let his guard down.

Also, there was the matter of Gieve’s recent behavior….

Arslan put down the utensils he’d been eating with. “King Omar, I do not wish to be rude, but would you mind if I asked you a difficult question?”

“I do not mind,” King Omar said.

“Was there a reason why you wished to meet with me?” Arslan asked.

All of Arslan’s companions pretended to continue eating, but watched the King’s answer carefully, trying to gage the man. Queen Lira simply chuckled in light amusement.

King Omar took another bite of food and chewed it before answering. “To be perfectly honest, I wanted to find out what kind of man you are and whether or not you’d be a suitable ally.”

Arslan’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? Are you looking for an alliance?”

“Tentatively.” King Omar turned to speak to Arslan directly. “My country has been isolated for a rather long time, but I fear that it will be detrimental to remain so for much longer. I want to open our borders to travelers, information, and more trade soon, but I need to be sure that my people will be protected. I need someone I can trust to make sure our neighbors don’t take advantage.”

“I see,” Arslan said. “Have you considered asking some of your subordinates that you trust to travel to your neighbors and communicate with them officially?”

King Omar frowned. “I would, except there’s nobody I trust enough besides my wife. Everyone in the palace is in Sergence’s pocket somehow, and he supports our isolation.”

Arslan nodded. “I think I understand. I know what it’s like to want a controversial change in one’s own kingdom. Luckily, I have been blessed with many valuable companions who share my ideals.” Arslan gestured to his company farther down the table.

“Indeed, I wish I had half your luck in loyal companions,” King Omar said.

Narsus looked up and addressed the King. “Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, why have you not replaced Grand Visir Sergence if you disagree on policy so much?”

King Omar looked deeply troubled by this question. “Believe me, I would if I had the chance. But too many powerful people are in league with him, and there’s nobody I could give the position to that isn’t essentially his puppet. Besides, there’s only one man who I would like to have at my side, and, well…”

King Omar looked at his wife nervously.

Queen Lira had some kind of fury in her eyes, though nobody could tell who that fury was directed at. “Prince Arslan, allow me to share some history concerning the position of Grand Visir. My father had inhabited the post during the reign of the previous king, as well as during the first few years of my husband’s. It was believed for a long time that my older brother would be the one to succeed him. But, he did not have much political power outside my father’s legacy and a friendship with my husband. Sergence, on the other hand…”

Arslan nodded, understanding. From what little he’d heard about the man from King Omar and his wife, Sergence must have a talent for politics.

King Omar cleared his throat. “Yes, well, after the death of my father-in-law, Gieve and I had a kind of falling out.”

Everyone at the table froze at that name.

“Gieve?” Arslan asked, though he was already aware of who that was referring to.

“My older brother,” Queen Lira confirmed.

“Yes, he and I ended up having a fight that escalated badly. In hindsight, we were both just hurting over his father’s death, but I suspect that Sergence may have been pulling the strings behind that matter as well. After that, Sergence took the position of Grand Visir. It took a couple of months before Lira was able to convince me that I was acting like Sergence’s puppet,” King Omar explained.

Arslan took a deep breath. “I see. I can’t promise much until I defeat Lusitania, but I would like to see your country’s isolation end, King Omar.”

The King looked truly overjoyed. “Thank you, Prince Arslan. That means a great deal to me.”

Everyone at the table returned to eating. Although nobody actually said as much, everybody in Arslan’s company was thinking about their missing friend.

Gieve stormed into the King’s room without bothering to announce himself. “Why aren’t you investigating my father’s murder?”

King Omar didn’t even look up from his paperwork. “The doctor said that he came down with a sudden mysterious illness and passed away during the night. There’s nothing to investigate.”

“And you actually believe them?” Gieve asked. “My father has never been sick a day in his life, but you expect me to believe that he died mysteriously without even a cough?”

King Omar looked up. “What do you think happened?”

“Obviously, someone poisoned him.” Gieve growled.

“Well, if that’s the case, then who?” The king asked.

“That’s what I need to find out!” Gieve started pacing. “Some kind of political rival or someone who desired his position…”

“You do realize that the person most likely to take his position in the event of his death is you, right?” Omar pointed out.

Gieve froze. “You don’t seriously think that I had anything to do with…”

“Of course not,” Omar said. “But someone else might. So it would be smart of you to keep your head down and focus on helping the country in other matters, such as managing the tax collection.”

“Speaking of that, would you mind telling me what you were thinking increasing the taxes on the western farmers? Surely you know that a disease took the majority of their crop?” Gieve asked.

“We need the funds,” Omar explained, “and Lord Sergence told me that the crop failure was just a rumor started by the farmers to avoid paying their due.”

Gieve stopped pacing. “Lord Sergence, you say?”

“Yes, Lord Sergence. He has a lot of knowledge about how to best run the country.” Omar returned to his work.

“I see,” Gieve turned to leave the room. “In that case, I’ll have to go check the validity of Lord Sergence’s information.”

Gieve settled himself into a secret room just beside the dining hall. It was close enough that he could hear what was going on in there, and out of the way enough that nobody should come and find him. That would be exceptionally bad, since he wasn’t supposed to be in the country and Arslan could potentially be in diplomatic relations with Omar.

It felt weird, being back in the castle of his childhood and yet being a total stranger. Using the secret passages so people wouldn’t kill him, rather than to sneak out without an escort. There weren’t as many familiar faces as he’d have hoped, which probably indicated how much Sergence’s influence had grown.

Gieve pressed his ear against the wall. Was Omar actually asking Prince Arslan for an alliance? Why? Oh, it had to do with ending the country’s isolation. That always had been a dream of Omar’s, ever since they were kids. It was good to learn that at least some things about his old friend hadn’t changed.

Suddenly, the door opened and a child wandered in.

Gieve mentally cursed, and hoped that the boy would leave without looking up where he was.

No such luck.

“Who are you?” the boy asked. “What are you doing in my secret place?”

“Ah, my apologies, I didn’t realizes this was yours.” Gieve babbled, praying that his silver tongue would find a way out of this.

The boy’s eyes had fallen on the instrument at Gieve’s side. “You play the oud? Can you play a song for me?”

That sudden interest in songs… it reminded Gieve so much of a little girl begging big brother to play her another song….

Ah, I see, Gieve realized. Well, they are married.

“I’d love to little one, but if I did then the sound would carry and people would discover your secret place.”

“Oh,” the boy looked crestfallen, but didn’t argue the reasoning.

“Would you settle for a story?” Gieve asked.

The boy’s eyes lit up and he nodded.

Gieve lifted the boy up into his lap and strained his ears to hear some more of the conversation. Were they talking about… him? Well, he hadn’t expected Lord Narsus to enter this place without discovering something about his past. He hoped that this didn’t affect Lady Farangis’s opinion of him. But Omar sounded… almost remorseful. Maybe there was still hope for him.

The boy on his lap poked at Gieve’s arm. “What’s the story?”

That shook Gieve out of his stupor. “Ah, sorry little one.” He quickly racked his brain for a story. “What kind of story would you like to hear?”

“A story about a prince!” the boy eagerly requested.

Definitely my sister’s child.

There were probably other stories that would be appropriate, but for some reason Gieve found himself telling a tale he hadn’t learned from any bard. “There once was a prince named Arslan in a country not very far from here. He was a kind boy, who valued the least of his subjects just as much as his lords and knights.”

The boy was already engrossed in the story.

“This prince lived for many years in the safety of his father’s castle,” Gieve continued, “but one day, a terrible army invaded Prince Arslan’s country. Since he was of age and had yet to fight his maiden battle, the prince joined his father on campaign to drive the invaders out. Unfortunately, this battle ended in defeat for the Prince’s army, with his father in chains and the invaders about to take his capital.”

The boy gasped. “Oh no!”

“Oh no indeed.” Gieve couldn’t hide his amusement. “However, the prince did have one advantage: a knight with no equal, whose loyalty lay with Prince Arslan and nobody else. This knight, known as Daryun, was able to save his prince from certain death and lead him safely to a recluse friend of his.”

Gieve continued like that, telling the story of Prince Arslan’s journey like it was a tale of an ancient king. The boy – Lira and Omar’s child, he was sure of it now – listened attentively. He tried to keep one ear open for anything nefarious in the next room, but nothing happened until they all left for bed. At that point, Gieve admitted that he wouldn’t do them any more good staying here and not attempting to find any of Sergence’s plots before they came to fruition.

“… And as such, the prince and his companions determined that they would have to pass through the neighboring kingdom,” Gieve finished abruptly.

“Well? What happened next?” the boy asked.

“I’m afraid I don’t know.” Gieve admitted.

The boy frowned. “What do you mean you don’t know? Aren’t you the one telling the story?”

“Yes, but the story is unfinished,” Gieve explained.

The boy crossed his arms and pouted. “Unfinished stories are stupid.”

Gieve chuckled. “Actually, I quite like unfinished stories, because we can decide for ourselves how they end.”

“Oh,” the boy seemed interested in that.

Gieve smiled. “Remember this, little prince, we are all characters in the great unfinished story called ‘life’ and we are the ones who determine what happens next.”

The boy looked up. “How did you know I was the prince?”

Gieve jumped down from his perch and set his nephew on the ground. “Because you look a great deal like your mother when she was young.”

“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!!????”

King Omar stormed out into the courtyard where his oldest friend was currently holding a sword at one of his advisor’s throats.

Lord Sergence was quivering under Gieve’s sword. “I do not understand, I can’t imagine what could possess you to attack me, lord Gieve…”

“You know exactly what you did!” Gieve shouted. “You are the one behind it all!”

“Gieve! Enough!” Omar barked the order.

Gieve didn’t put away his sword, though he did lower it a few inches.

“My King, if you knew half the things this man has done…” Gieve started to explain.

“What? Where is your proof of this imagined wrongdoing?” Sergence asked.

“There is none, but you made sure that, did you not?” Gieve spat.

“My King, I know this man is your brother-in-law, but he attacked me unprovoked.” Sergence insisted.

The other people in the courtyard murmured among themselves in agreement.

“I am telling you, he’s the one behind everything!” Gieve insisted. “Who do you believe more, him or me?”

Omar narrowed his eyes. “Lord Gieve, you are my oldest friend and my brother, but I cannot stand for this.”

The whole world waited with bated breath.

“Lord Gieve, you are banished from the county of Creta. Be grateful that I do not order your execution.”

Gieve’s lips became thin lines. “I see. So this is the kind of King you really are.” He slid his sword into his sheath.

Suddenly, he started laughing like a madman.

“You know, King Omar, you are in fact doing me a favor. If this is your true nature, then I would never wish to serve a king like you. They will never sing songs about your deeds.”

And with that, Gieve turned and disappeared into the night.

Gieve didn’t catch up with Arslan and his company for several miles outside the capital gates.“Your Highness! I have returned!” He cried out.

Arslan turned on his horse and greeted the musician. “Gieve! I am glad that you are unharmed.”

Gieve caught up with the rest of the company with a smile on his face and immediately turned to lady Farangis. “Ah, my love, I am sure that you were worried day and night for my safety, but there was no reason—”

“Not really.” Farangis abruptly cut him off.

Gieve’s face fell. He also couldn’t shake the sensation of several stares from his comrades. The most notable among which included Alfreed and Jaswant.

“Gieve, could I ask for your advice on something?” Arslan asked.

“Of course, your Highness.” Gieve said.

“While we were visiting with King Omar, he suggested that we form an alliance between Pars and Creta. What do you think of this?” Arslan asked.

Gieve waited a few moments before answering, giving the question careful thought. “Well, first of all, I don’t see many immediate benefits with Pars. It’s Creta that will benefit the most from that arrangement. However, as Creta begins to flourish, having a good relationship with them may pay off eventually.”

Arslan nodded understanding.

“On a personal level though,” Gieve admitted, “I do believe that King Omar would become a much better King if he has you as a friend, your Highness.”

“I’ll take your words to heart then, Gieve.” Arslan said.

#arslansenkifandomday2017 #arslan senki #the heroic legend of arslan #gieve #arslan senki fanfic #myfanfic

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