#sste: nihm

[stygiansun-totaleclipse]

How would the RO's feel if MC just randomly blurts out "I'm cold :(" and shoves their cold ass hands up the RO'S shirt/on their waist :333333 (Post relationship)

Kieran: *small sharp gasp* After a moment they relax and feign a chiding glare; despite that they don’t complain and fold their hands over MCs and press them closer to warm them. After a bit they’ll bring MCs hands to their face to kiss MCs fingertips and then interlace their fingers.

Nihm: “Oh :) do you want me to—Eeeeeeeek!!” *squeals in surprise* After getting over their initial shock they’ll attempt to stay still while mc warms up (and they do too 😳) but they’re definitely squirming the whole time. Afterwards they’ll let you share their pocket and hold hands with them :)

Lilith/Lucien: “There are warmer places you could—I mean, you should’ve just said something earlier. C’mere.” They'll pull mc closer and let them trail their hands along their torso before bringing their hands up to either side of their face and holding them there (and now they can stare at mc too); one of their attunements is fire so they can warm MCs hands with that too.

Samira: She has to resist the reflex to break MCs wrists jump away in shock and instead rolls her eyes. 🙄 “I told you to bring gloves.” Despite her chastising, she’ll gently pull MCs hands away from her stomach (cuz that’s way too cold bb) and instead clasp them in her own pull mc closer and fold their hands over her chest.

Aurynn: *high pitched girlish shriek as your icicle fuckinfgf hands touch his stomach followed by him clearing his throat and pitching his voice several octaves too low as he attempts to find the words which will salvage what dignity he never had in the first place*

[stygiansun-totaleclipse]

During the crushing stage, do the ROs ever fantasize (accidentally or not) about the MC? What type of scenarios do they think about the most/which one makes their heart beat faster?

Kieran: They’d mostly be unable to stop thinking about small shared moments of intimacy—like accidentally touching hands (and how it would feel to lace their fingers through MCs) or lingering stares (and wondering if they mean to MC what they mean to them) etc. Their touch averseness around strangers would shift into an aching hunger for touch—they are starved for it. Despite themself, they want to know what every little touch would feel like. A brush of fingers, a caress to the cheek, etc. And would it feel as electrifying to MC as it would to them?

Nihm: Well of course they have to think about the silly ‘would you still love me if I was a worm/bug’ scenario (and what if we were both bugs?? 🐛😳🫣❤️ *gaspppp* and we kissed??? On a leaf????). Mostly they would find themself thinking about little things they want to know about MC but maybe don’t—what their hand feels like and is it smooth or calloused, warm or cold? And what their eyes look like up close (esp if mc is taller, they can’t freaking see from down here and would they have to stoop down to kiss them??? 😳 and if they’re both short how close is too close for them to stand to try to see all the colors in MCs irises??), and what a brush of MCs lips would feel like on their cheek, and what are all their favorite things and what could they do that would be sure to make MC smile at them or laugh and does MC like puns cuz they’ve got a lot and if we adopted a caterpillar 🐛 together would we name her Baroness von Squiggly or Darby the Destroyer or Caterine Cutiepie III or—

Lilith/Lucien: Yeah, of course—all the time. They’re fantasizing right now. Plenty of nsfw ones 👌 but also, despite themself, they’d fantasize about domestic things they want so badly but know they can’t ever have—things like getting married and growing old with MC. Little details like what we’d eat at our wedding, and would we playfully argue over decor and no, no trust them, amaranth would be perfect choice of flower for the garlands and bouquets, and do you think your mom would like them, and tomorrow—and the next day, and every day after that—would you wake up next to them? But it’s a fantasy to them that will only ever be just that—a fantasy.

Samira: She would take a sort of guilty pleasure in fantasizing—fantasies are the only place where she can have MC. A lot of her fantasies would revolve around little mundane domestic things (like the I-want-to-do-my-grocery-shopping-with-you-for-the-rest-of-my-life type fantasies), and things like wanting to take MC home to meet her parents and show them where she grew up and wanting to cook for them. Things like wanting to let MC lie down to sleep with their head in her lap, wanting to know what MC would sound like murmuring sleepily to her before they go to bed and what they would look like when they wake, groggy and hair all mussed up and would they whine and pull her back to bed when she tries to get up? Little human things beyond the image they present as royalty.

Aurynn: He hasn’t really fantasized over much since he was a kid. In a crushing stage, he’s not really going to fantasize as he doesn’t recognize his own feelings for what they are, only that something’s changed and he is overly aware of every little interaction with MC in a way he wasn’t previously—and that scares him. When he was young, he’d fantasize about fairytale-style romances etc but he’s since become disillusioned with what love is and doesn’t entirely consciously understand what he or anyone really wants out of a relationship yet anyway. He won’t let himself fantasize anymore—it changes nothing.

[stygiansun-totaleclipse]

How do the ROs react (or handle) to a MC pulling the puppy dog eyes on them (crushing stage)? I'm talking about an absolutely lethal look. Like, don't look at me with those big ol' eyes of yours type of look. Like, sergeant sad eyes reporting for duty

Kieran: >:/ They hold out quietly for a very long time with no discernible reaction other than a hard stare and you’d think your own resolve was about to break before theirs but before you can retire the eyes they finally heave a long-suffering sigh and relent to MCs whims.

Nihm: They’ve got killer puppy dog eyes too, they just don’t know how to consciously use them. Those puppers come out on their own. 🥺🥺 But puppy dog eyes used against them are absolutely killer—they immediately fold and forget what they were supposed to be standing their ground on. Whatever you want, they’ll do it if it will make you happy. They might snap back to their senses as they give mc what they want and if it’s something they’re not supposed to have they’re like hey wait a minute…>:( But then you flash The Look and they’re like oh…🥺🥺 and the cycle continues

Lilith/Lucien: That’s just overkill. They cave instantly—not that they put up much of a fight to begin with. “Well? Go on, doll, what is it?”

Samira: She’s almost immune to them. Almost. And unfortunately she thought she was immune, and though she holds out for an impressive amount of time with a very stern “No,” MCs kicked-puppy-pouting eventually—to her own chagrin—causes her resolve to slip. With regards to whatever MC wants, she’ll compromise. Just put those damn things away. >:(

Aurynn: Man, put those freaking things away—those are dangerous. >:( Stop that. Knock it off. He attempts to hold out and turn away but grows increasingly antsy until he finally relents. “Gah—fine! Just stop looking at me like that. What do you want? I swear to gods if you want me to drink another of your tonics...”

[stygiansun-totaleclipse]

What are the ROs and the siblings favorite foods and drinks?(Can we bribe them with it? 👀)

Answered under the cut as it ended up long with all the sibs and ROs :)

Kieran: having been food-insecure as a kid, it’s still a difficult habit to shake sometimes, so while they won’t be easily bribed by food if they arent immediately hungry, they will be much more food-motivated when they’ve worked up an appetite, like after a sparring session. They can be a bit single-minded when they’re hungry. They enjoy drinks and foods made with yarrow as it’s nostalgic and Celestyl has a festival celebrating yarrow/wildflowers. They also enjoy hearty stews, potatoes, and fish.

Nihm: they aren’t very food-motivated with most things. They don’t eat much, tho most people chalk it up to them being picky. In truth they have a hard time stomaching food most days, tho meat makes them most nauseous—they won’t eat it. They do however occasionally indulge in citrus fruits (in secret or L would call them a hypocrite for stopping them from eating the things they’re allergic to), but they have a histamine intolerance so it gives them a terrible stomach ache and hives, but yknow. Worth it 👍

Lilith/Lucien: they also aren’t very food-motivated. They don’t eat nearly as much as they should—it is more of a chore to them. They have a hard time stomaching anything. They do have a fancy for chocolate, however—a shame then that they are very much allergic. Doesn’t stop them tho from making little attempts to swipe some only for Nihm to bat their hand away. :( Boo. 👎

Samira: she’s more the type to bribe others with food (she likes feeding people), so it would be pleasantly surprising to be bribed herself, tho she would only really be moved by say a dinner invitation—food and company. She likes spicy curries and anything with pistachios. Her favorite drinks are masala chai and lassi.

Aurynn: while he was very food-motivated when he was young, he is no longer—he doesn’t eat much and when he does he tends to pick at his food. He’ll eat or drink anything really, it doesn’t matter, but he is discerning about textures. Despite his current apathy towards food, he still holds a soft spot for sweet rolls and rice pudding.

Parim: Surprisingly easily bought by food—but ☝️ only depending on who is doing the bribing. A stranger—no. Family—okay what do you want?? Loves anything with cashews or almonds, and so also prefers nutty teas and will usually take them with almond milk or just plain.

Aurora: immune to food bribery. Not working on her. That said, she enjoys certain spices in food: ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom. Her favorite ‘meal’ of the day is evening teatime where she takes her ginger or jasmine tea with cinnamon cardamom biscuits.

Castor: not usually bribed by food (except for when he was a teenager) unless he’s really really hungry, so you’d have to catch him after a training session and stall him for a while so he starts getting subtly hangry. He enjoys citrus fruits, raisins and nuts in spiced rice, and maize cakes. He prefers floral teas, but especially chamomile with lemon.

Ember: easily won over by the offer of food 🫡 he’s like always hungry. Loves smoked river fish, pickled vegetables, and omelettes especially. Prefers his tea bitter and herbal.

Nour: they have a rather mild palate and can’t really handle strong flavors, but they are also a chronic people pleaser and will always defer to someone else’s preferences. They can be pretty easily bought by food as they’ll consider it a gift and will wish to return the favor. They prefer milk teas, especially lavender with honey. They enjoy rice and vegetable dishes and rice pudding.

Farah: pomegranates, almond-flavored desserts, fruit teas; she’s not easily won over by just offers of food as she is more motivated by social factors. If you offered to share a pomegranate with her as a reward, that would be much more motivating to her bc she’d get to spend time with you.

[stygiansun-totaleclipse]

I can totally see Nihm pull out this move if bug lover?MC asks if Nihm will still love them if they were a bug/or if both of them are bugs, would Nihm still love and choose them over other bugs (I can imagine Charismatic MC ask the bee movie line "ArE tHeRe OtHeR bUgS IN yOuR liFe?" If they ever get jealous while sinking further down the bug hypotheses)

Lol cute ❤️❤️🥰 they would definitely have to point out two little bugs on a leaf to mc like *gaspp* Look—it’s us!!!!! :D ✨💕💖💗🥰🐛🐞🪲🐜🌈☀️❤️🐛 Complete with a pun: like “weevil always be together” (ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ.ﾟ

[stygiansun-totaleclipse]

How would the RO's deal with an MC that when sick/injured (Not life threatening but like moderate) refuses to stop working and rest to get better? :p

Kieran: So clearly this is habitual and mc either hasn’t been taught a lesson or hasn’t taken it to heart. So they’re going to have to take it upon themselves. They’ll corner mc into being obligated to accompany them to the infirmary—which shouldn’t be hard, mc will falter eventually at this pace and preferably Kieran will point it out in public so it’s harder to deny. And they suppose their tense/hostile relationship with mc comes quite in handy here while they personally attend to mc—is this uncomfortable for you? Good. Next time you’ll seek the help of an actual healer before Kieran notices bc trust them, they’re Very. Attentive. You won’t hide it from them for long.

Nihm: Tries to confront mc directly—they’re honest and to the point and they’ll be gentle but firm about it, but they’ll straight up tell you hey you should rest up and you’re not doing yourself or anyone any favors burning yourself out. If that doesn’t work then mc needs different motivation. They’ll either find someone mc will have to listen to or they’ll figure out what makes mc tick (time to shadow you and take notes like they’re studying bc they’re a good student) and reframe their request accordingly to be less focused on “you need to do this to help you” and more “I need you to do this to help me 🥺”

Lilith/Lucien: They’ll shoulder more of MCs workload to give them more leeway here and they’ll carve out spaces where they can help mc relax by like taking them out to dinner etc. When they do run into mc overworking themself, they’ll distract and redirect MCs attention to something else that will keep their mind occupied while giving them an opportunity to actually rest a bit, like getting mc to play chess with them or leading them through the gardens under the pretense that we’re gonna talk Business™️ but they end up chatting about nothing and everything and mc doesn’t even realize it.

Samira: Literally her pet peeve. She and mc are going to butt heads. She gets frustrated when she tells someone repeatedly to not be careless and they do it anyway bc then she is expected to clean up the mess. And now she has to worry unnecessarily over you. Stop being a stubborn patient bc she promises you she can and will be way more obstinate. This is a battle of wills and you have no idea who you just waged war with. Now get. Your ass. Back. In. Bed. 🫵

Aurynn: You get three strikes and if you don’t listen to him then he tattles on you to Samira. And he will taunt you with that too so when he does tell on you, you have no one to blame but yourself bc you were warned. 👍 Wouldn’t wanna be in your shoes rn. Good luck getting away with it now, fucker.

[stygiansun-totaleclipse]

How would the ROs react if they were in the middle of reprimanding MC for doing smth dumb and MC just blurted out "you're so kissable" (MC obviously meant to say that with their inner voice but oopsie) ? (crushing stage)

Kieran: They pause and narrow their eyes to stare at mc for a long, tense, scrutinizing moment (and, no, their gaze definitely didn’t flicker to MCs lips for the briefest moment). “….” *ties mc’s bandages tighter* >:/

Nihm: Forgets temporarily what they were supposed to be chastising mc about as they rapidly flush redder, only that they were frustrated about something—which spills into their panic response. “YOU’RE so—and you—what I mean to say is….and…and th-then…you’re….um. Just—! DON’T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN!!” *turns and flees*

Lilith/Lucien: “Yeah? I don’t see you doing anything about it.”

Samira: Anything other than “Yes, Samira. Sorry, Samira. It won’t happen again, Samira,” 🫡 is the incorrect response. You thought you were suffering a lecture before? You poor, naive thing.

Aurynn: “Well, of course I am, but that’s beside the point, isn’t it?”

[stygiansun-totaleclipse]

"I take it you’ve yet to tell your mother? Mm. Well. I don’t envy you." HELP?? 😭 I'm assuming mom doesn't really like Aurynn lmao. Does she "approve" of any of the other RO's??

Lol she isn’t a huge fan of Aurynn bc of his promiscuous reputation and she doesn’t want him fooling around or toying with MC. He’s also a very minor noble and she’d be more inclined toward a match of higher standing.

With Samira, she’d have a hard time coming around to the union bc MC would be marrying well below their station, so she sees no benefit to such a match. She could eventually relent seeing how happy MC is with Sam, but she’d be slower to stop dropping hints that MC could take her on as a consort and still marry within their rank.

While Nihm was born to a prominent noble house and is still treated as a pseudo-noble, they’ve technically been disinherited following their family’s execution and have no inheritance or family ties to offer in a match. This is something that will come up in the game, but Theians don’t really marry orphans in most cases. There are superstitions around orphans with no known lineage and in cases like Nihm’s, they have no family ties to offer; in Theia, marriages are a union between families, which is the most important unit in their society. So MC’s mother would treat it similarly to how she’d view a match with Samira.

With Lilith/Lucien, despite also being an orphan, they’ve been legally adopted and recognized as Lady de Arcanis’ formal heir, so they’d have an inheritance and significant family ties to offer. She’d be more amenable to the match in that sense, though she’d reserve some skepticism considering the last two wars Theia went through. She’d find L to be strange and somewhat off putting at first, but something about them makes her warm to them eventually.

While Kieran is royalty and would offer MC significant family ties and influence, she’d be very skeptical considering the family MC is tying themself to. She doesn’t trust King Novan and by proxy his child and would maintain reservations regarding the match. Despite the fact she values the socioeconomic implications of a marriage match, she still also does care for MCs happiness and well-being and would still want MC to have emotional compatibility with their partner as that is a priority in marriage matches in-universe. She’d be hesitant as she isn’t sure if MC is doing this out of obligation or bc they love Kieran. And even still, she doesn’t approve of Kieran’s family.

[stygiansun-totaleclipse]

RO's thoughts and reactions when they have to sit their pretty butts down just so MC can test out their lipstick on them through smooches? :>

(Assuming post relationship)

Kieran: You don’t need an excuse if you’d like to kiss them, but very well, they’ll indulge mc. And—admittedly—they find they do quite like the sight of mcs smeared lipstick and of every brush of mcs lips tattooed on Kieran’s skin in the form of kiss marks; it feels kind of like mc signing their name to signify ownership—like you are mine, I am yours—not in an ‘I own you’ sort of way but in a ‘I belong with you’ way. Might find themself growing uncharacteristically impatient and wanting more.

Nihm: Happy and eager to help! :) Except the whole testing it through kissing must have went over their head bc they thought mc just wanted to put it on them or get their opinion, so when mc kisses them their whole soul leaves their body. Poor thing just got totally blindsided. 😳😳😳 How are they supposed to sit still for the rest of this now…?

Lilith/Lucien: Very hot 🫡🫡🫡 Whatever you want babe you got it 👍 Plus it’s another excuse to stare openly and longingly at mc again which is one of their favorite things to do. But mc might have to tighten the leash so to speak when they start getting impatient and wanting more. Basically these two:

Samira: Clearly mc just wants to make out but if she’s in the mood to toy with them she takes a very clinical approach to their query (like failing to see how that would help best and testing it X way would be much more effective etc) just to watch mc struggle to get their point across when their first attempt at flirting seemed to go straight over Sams head. Eventually she takes pity and can’t hide her amusement anymore (either way if mc relents or gets more flustered it’s a win win) and allows mc to use her as their little Guinea pig—it’s only fair considering she’s used mc as her own Guinea pig for tonics before

Aurynn: Sure sure but we should be very thorough (if he’s not covered in lipstick smears/kiss marks by the end of it then what even was the point) and someone better be sitting in the other’s lap. And after MCs had their fun it’s his turn—now sit down.👇Also doesn’t bother to clean up before leaving and very shamelessly returns to his room looking all mussed up. He likes wearing the evidence.

[stygiansun-totaleclipse]

How would the ROs react if they had a nsfw dream about the MC? Probably crushing stage or maybe before they realise their feelings for the MC?

Kieran: Will die before ever admitting to it. Any tension that had begun to slowly ease between Kieran and mc is back in an instant and they are back to being stiff and curt around mc, probably to mc’s confusion. If mc presses them too hard about their shift in behavior, they’ll remember the dream all over again and get embarrassed and flush and probably coldly snap at mc or attempt to brusquely brush them off.

Nihm: It is now impossible to speak to or look at mc without guiltily and very vividly remembering every detail and becoming red-faced and embarrassed. Avoids mc at all costs and flees if they see mc coming. Stammers and gets evasive if cornered and questioned about it and is looking everywhere but at mc.

Lilith/Lucien: torn between ‘Hell yeah 😏’ and ‘Bad girl/boy! (spray bottle noises) You’re not supposed to be getting this involved. What happened to keeping some distance?’ Difficult to reign themself in as they’d feel bad brushing mc off so tries to act the same as always as if nothings changed, but if things get too serious they’re going to have to force themself to pull back even if it means rejecting/hurting MCs feelings.

Samira: Girl you cannot be having these sorts of feelings for the literal prince/ss/ps. Feels guilty, frustrated, and scared with herself and is going to attempt to repress her growing feelings and distract herself with extra work but ends up too lost in her own head to really focus and is overly aggressive in any delicate work and just ends up breaking things. MC probs assumes she’s angry about something. She doubles down on putting some distance between them, treating mc less as a friend and more as her patron prince/ss/ps in an attempt to convince herself she doesn’t have these traitorous feelings.

Aurynn: Probably wouldn’t really think much of it at first—wouldn’t be the first time he’s had one. But as he starts to develop serious feelings—which he’ll have a hard time recognizing—these kinds of dreams are going to become a Concern™️. Very bad. Stop that. Makes him confused and unsettled and he might start acting overly casual/friendly and attempt to redirect any attention MC might show him to someone/thing else like ‘oh isn’t Sam cute today?? Don’t you think so???’

[stygiansun-totaleclipse]

MC’s spouse(s) better take good care of them (or else)—that’s their beloved baby sibling after all.

That made me wonder. We already know what they'd tell MC on their choice of partner/s from a different ask. But would any of the siblings give ROs a "shovel talk" of sorts? Would it differ with each RO/poly? And i mean way before the wedding.

I feel like Farah could give the most scathing shovel talks (fuelled by Ember maybe lmao, or by the fiesty bluntness some of the kids and teens have), even if they're not scary in the traditional "shovel" talk sense.

Considering my MCs fate I think they might need a shovel talk about themself too... (Yes, Its Aurynn and L. Both.) (Gods help them, they did NOT choose this !!).

Parim wouldn’t give anyone a shovel talk—he’ll behave according to social protocol, but despite his polite and dignified outward demeanor, he is still quite sharp and discerning and will be appraising MC’s partner(s) to make his own judgements of them. He’d come around to all the ROs eventually—mostly he just wants to confirm that they make MC happy and that they clearly love/trust each other—thus he’d study their interactions with MC, but he’d keep his cards close to his chest on his actual feelings about each RO, but once he’s determined he trusts them, he’ll warm up around them.

Aurora would also not give someone a shovel talk—at least never so directly. Any threats she makes will be veiled in nature—phrased in such a way as to sound like a normal exchange to any outsiders, but the underlying threat will be quite evident to the specific person she’s talking to. She’d probably be more cautious around Aurynn, L, and Kieran based on reputations/first impressions. She’d grow to like all of the ROs though.

Castor would be much the same as Parim—he’ll behave strictly according to the standards of social etiquette, but he’ll be appraising the ROs. If he felt he didn’t trust one of them though, he’d simply feign ignorance when Ember corners them to give them a shovel talk and not reign them in. He’d be distant with the Celestylian ROs at first bc they are strangers, and with Samira and Aurynn he would still maintain some skepticism based on both their reputations and bc he doesn’t know them as well as MC yet. But like Parim, he likely wouldn’t tell someone to their face his opinion of them unless he felt the situation warranted a blunt approach. He will quietly observe before taking action.

Ember’s shovel talks are about as subtle as a brick to the face. They’d likely threaten all the ROs except Samira and Nihm—but not for lack of trying, at least in regards to Nihm. Nihm would just respond very kindly to Ember’s attempts at threats/gilling them until Ember feels uncomfortable, like he’s the one being put on the spot. :/ But everyone else will be getting the I’ll-feed-you-in-pieces-to-the-crocodiles-and-use-the-scraps-as-fish-bait talk. :)

Nour wouldn’t give a shovel talk bc they’ll make an effort to be kind and welcoming to MC’s partner(s) and get to know them in their own right before making any major criticisms or judgements. They’d trust that if MC chose them, it was for a reason and they’d try to find that reason. :)

Farah probably wouldn’t give a shovel talk unless directly under Ember’s influence (which would more be along the lines of “my brother will kill you” rather than “I’ll kill you”). She’d be more the type to give her shovel talk through actions: silently glaring, making threatening gestures, replacing the tea in MC’s and their partner(s)’s teapot with toad eggs, making a doll that looks suspiciously like the RO and very deliberately stabbing it with needles within ROs eyesight etc. She wouldn’t do that to Samira as Farah likes/trusts her, but would with Aurynn—not bc she doesn’t trust him but her relationship with him is like annoying sibling energy (and he is a thot soooo)—and the other ROs at least at first until she finally starts to open up to them (but she can be stubborn around strangers).

(Also my sincerest condolences to any MC on the Aurynn/L poly 🙏💐 😭 good luck you will need it—those two are complete fucking menaces in each other’s company 🤦‍♂️)

(fight 👏 fight 👏 fight👏 fight 👏 fight 👏 fight 👏)

[stygiansun-totaleclipse]

I have seen that you don't mind NSFW asks! Feel absolutely free to ignore this if out of line, but ROs when MC has a really obvious praise kink? (Aurynn calling my character good girl might have changed my brain chemistry)

Answered under the cut! :)

Kieran: Takes silent note of it but makes no comment. You’d probably think they didn’t even notice it at all until one day they use it very knowingly and very intentionally on mc—either as a very genuine reward/sincerely-meant praise or as a teasing punishment. Either way, that sort of semi-playful behavior is something they’d only use that on an mc they were much closer with so it’d be a sign they were opening up.

Nihm: Probably wouldn’t realize that was a turn on for mc unless they explicitly told them. They’d just think ‘oh mc seems to like it when I praise them! Lilith/Lucien likes being called a good girl/boy too. I’ll do it more since it makes them happy. I love my friends! :3’ So they unintentionally end up abusing the hell out of MCs praise kink.

Lilith/Lucien: Also has a praise kink. 👍 (also a bit of a shame kink—gotta cover your bases; no matter if someone’s mean or nice to them that person can never take satisfaction in it bc it’s always a turn on! bc fuck you that’s why! Cover your bases 👍) So hell yeah 😏 now they can play both sides. Competing pet play. Will also shamelessly use it in front of people if only to tease mc or if they’re jealous and want to make a point.

Samira: HA! Right into her arsenal for ways to get mc to comply when they’re being stubborn. Refusing to drink a yucky tonic? Don’t be a fucking baby—I mean she’ll call you a good boy/girl/pet etc if you behave and take your meds. She finds it a highly amusing method for reward and mental manipulation 👍 Being a bad patient? :( This is not good boy/girl/pet behavior…very disappointing….

Aurynn: Abusing it 👍 Ya done fucked up by making it obvious. Getting a little too comfortable bossing him around and forcing Sam’s tonics on him? Expect him to retaliate. Next time you’re having a Very Delicate discussion with a Very Important Noble, he’s abusing MCs turn ons. Good luck focusing now fucker 👍 :)

[stygiansun-totaleclipse]

If given the choice, would the RO's choose to keep their relationship with the MC a secret? :3 and as a sort of kinda follow up question, how would they react if they were walked in on? O.O (not doing anything NSFW or anything just kissing or something)

Not if they didn’t have to—but Kieran will tell mc they don’t care if mc wants to have any relationships outside of their engagement—it’s not like it’s uncommon considering marriages in-universe aren’t inherently romantic. All they ask is that—given the delicate nature of their betrothal—mc keep any other relationships discreet for now. They are of the mind that it would be prudent both for mc to not draw attention to themselves and not to feed into any court gossip/rumors or distract from the engagement; the two should appear to get along as a show of unity even if this is a farcical and forced union—but anything different would only make tensions worse both for mc personally and between their respective countries.

As for if they were walked in on:

Kieran: I mean they don’t really have to keep things discreet considering they’re engaged to mc, but they don’t like having an audience. Very begrudgingly steps back and goes back to ‘business-as-usual’ as if nothing happened, but if you know them well enough you’ll be able to recognize some small signs of annoyance at having been interrupted. >:/

Nihm: They would want to avoid getting entangled in a relationship with mc while they’re still engaged out of respect for mc and Kieran both, but if they were caught in a seemingly compromising moment, they’d be very embarrassed and would probably blurt out an explanation that absolutely does not help their case one bit. They would probably end up avoiding mc for a bit afterwards—mostly just bc they think it would be best so that they don’t make anything harder for mc and Kieran.

Lilith/Lucien: Depends on who walked in on them—if it’s someone who might make things difficult for MC and Kieran bc of this then they paste on one of their trademark kill-yourself-smiles and leave their unwanted visitor with a friendly pat on the shoulder and a black begonia pinned over their heart—most at court are familiar enough with L’s workings to recognize that’s a warning. :)

Samira: Absolutely does not want to be the reason things are any harder than they already are here for mc and so is definitely startled and guilt-ridden/ashamed at first. Hesitates only for a moment as if warring with herself over something before she follows after her unwanted visitor, assuring mc she’ll take care of it. Whatever she did or said to them seems to have done the trick—they’ve kept quiet. Sam is probably a bit more formal and cautious with mc for a while afterwards though.

Aurynn: Mostly views it as a pain in the ass :( bc now he’s gotta deal with whoever walked in before they blab and the mood is also probably ruined, but he’ll shoot his shot anyway; you—wait here, don’t go anywhere. He’ll be right back and don’t worry, he’s got ways of making sure they don’t run their mouth—whatever that’s supposed to mean. And then maybe we can pick back up where we left off, or is the mood just totally ruined now….?

[stygiansun-totaleclipse]

Ok, MC expresses themselves somewhat like a cat and blinks slowly at the ROs to slow them they like/trust them, who's slow blinking back? Who's mistaking it as them being sleepy or something?

Kieran: Out of context they are confused but if mc blinked at a cat and then at them or something they’d understand. If they’re close to mc they’ll relent after a moment and slow blink back. If not, they’d appreciate the gesture—tho they’d find it somewhat confusing—but they would feign as tho they didn’t understand and not blink back.

Nihm: “Are you tired? I can take you back to your room if you want to sleep for a bit.” :) If you tell them what you’re doing they’ll enthusiastically slow-blink back. :D

Lilith/Lucien: They’ll pick up on what mc is doing after a few moments and then do it back. We are now just two itty bitty kitty cats.

Samira: Out of context, she thinks mc might be drowsy but if mc like blinked at a kitty and then turned to Sam and did the same, she’d also understand. She’d hold out for a little while and shoot them a Really? look before rolling her eyes and slow-blinking back.

Aurynn: “What are you doing with your face??”

[stygiansun-totaleclipse]

How would the ROs react to finding the MC (clandestinely) reading a steamy romance novel? 🫣

Kieran: Well. You know what. They do the exact same thing. It’s embarrassing enough when they get caught so….they’ll keep their discretion and feign ignorance 👍 (but also they’ve read that one it’s very good have you reached that one scene where—?)

Nihm: Oh hey, Kieran reads those. They unfortunately do not realize why anyone would be embarrassed about enjoying them so they don’t realize it’s supposed to be secret and might totally blow MCs cover by like loudly announcing the book title. “Oh, [insert horribly cliche steamy romance book title]! Is it any good?” :D

Lilith/Lucien: Ooh, what’re we reading? Smut? Oh hey, Kieran reads those. They’ve got a bunch more in their room if MC ever wants L to “borrow” one for them when they’ve finished that one. *leans over shoulder to read* “Oh, wow that sure is a scene. Oh. Oh wow. Damn, she’s flexible. Holy shit. …I could definitely do that better though.” (this is an invitation)

Aurynn: “Oh hey, Kieran reads those. Which one is this?” *snatches book to read the cover and lets out a long, low whistle* “Ooo-oooh. Isn’t this one of the more, er, erotic ones? What scene are we at? Oh. Oh. My gods. And you’re just reading this here? In public?” (pretends to be increasingly and loudly scandalized even if the scene was the most innocuous scene ever just to watch mc fluster and have to find a way to shut him up. Also you should not have gotten caught bc he won’t forget this or ever let mc live it down)

Samira: She’s not going to judge but depending on MCs personality she might find it surprising. She’d stay quiet and pretend not to notice but would be reading over MCs shoulder out of curiosity. At a cheesier/spicier scene she’d be unable to temper her own amusement any longer as she can’t take this situation seriously anymore—it’s either cutely endearing or so out of place on MC—that she starts incredulously reading the scene out loud much to MCs sudden horror.

[stygiansun-totaleclipse]

How would ROs react if they actually broke the bed?

(Referencing this ask)

Kieran: “………….Don’t. Say. Anything.”

Nihm: *gasppp* “My bed!!!!!!” D:

Lilith/Lucien: Nice 👍 hell yeah

Samira: “…..Did you just break my fucking bed??”

Aurynn: *slow, growing smirk* “Ah—“ (he is immediately Silenced™️ by MC by whatever means you take that to mean. Hand over the mouth. Unfathomable Violence. Other.)