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femslashficlets2015-08-20 02:29 pm
rosage) wrote in femslashficlets2015-08-20 02:29 pm
Entry tags:
Paper Faces (#020 - Remainder)
Title: Paper Faces
Fandom: Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
Pairing: Elincia/Nailah
Rating: G
Prompt: #015 - mask (#20 - remainder)
Word Count: 580
Summary: Two queens learn about a tradition.
Nailah holds up the mask, its beads glinting in the sunlight like real gold. The clay is painted cream with green accents, a scheme that Elincia thinks would suit her if she ever got the chance to hide her face at a ball, though she’s only afforded more practical disguises.
“All of the Begnion nobles are wearing that style. It’s not long ‘til the next dance, so get’em now before all the good ones are snatched up,” the merchant says with a wink. Nailah disregards them, still tilting the mask, and Elincia engages the merchant politely until Nailah puts it back and moves on.
Elincia apologizes to a couple she darts between to keep up with Nailah’s firm strides. The streets are thrumming with shoppers buying fabrics and accessories in preparation for the event, perfect for a pair of hooded queens to get lost in while experiencing Crimean city life. Catching the shape of Nailah’s swishing tail beneath her cloak, Elincia taps her on the shoulder, and Nailah slows and adjusts it with a low growl. “What were those masks for?” she asks while she smoothes the fabric.
“The next dance is a masquerade, where it’s custom for guests to disguise their identities. The evening’s wrapped in mystique. It’s popular among those who want a clean slate, if only for a night.” Elincia lets a sigh slip. She always found the notion romantic, herself. What sorts of love could bloom if people threw away initial judgments? Besides, she thinks, wrapping her cloak tighter around herself, it isn’t as if she wouldn’t sometimes like others to disregard her identity.
“Are the masks always made with feathers?” Nailah asks.
“Not always. Some are decorated with ribbon or other adornments.” Noticing Nailah’s squinted eyes, Elincia clasps her hands. “Ah…they’re from birds, real birds, not…”
Nailah tosses her head, a gesture Elincia has learned means the same as waving a hand in dismissal. “The event sounds interesting, since those who live here are not as equal as those in Hatari. I could see Beorc and Laguz using the opportunity to mingle. But I don’t understand the mask—it covers only part of the face. It doesn’t do a thing to hide the wearer’s smell.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. Beorc don’t have strong enough senses to tell, unless someone wears a unique perfume, I suppose.”
A dog barrels past, causing barking to surround them. Nailah grins at a spot in the distance Elincia can’t make out. “That sounds horribly inconvenient. We wolves can rely on our noses. For instance…” Nailah stops to bend close to Elincia’s ear, brushing the fabric over it out of the way. “These hoods fool only Beorc.”
Her breath feels hot and smells of meat; between her, the herons, and the Beorc, the food in the castle hall has been diverse. Elincia’s cheeks warm.
“Do…do you think anyone in this crowd notices?” Many Gallians visit nearby stalls, as Nailah was right about the masquerades’ broad appeal. They can always tell, then, if their partner is Laguz or Beorc. Elincia wonders if the Beorc attending figure that out.
Nailah’s laughter is rich, the voice of a queen whose howls fill a desert. “We’ve attracted quite a lot of interest. Don’t worry, though. The Beorc haven’t caught on to either of us, and you’re quite safe.”
Fangs press against the skin below Elincia’s ear as if to demonstrate, and goose bumps ring her neck like beads, though she knows Nailah is right.
Fandom: Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
Pairing: Elincia/Nailah
Rating: G
Prompt: #015 - mask (#20 - remainder)
Word Count: 580
Summary: Two queens learn about a tradition.
Nailah holds up the mask, its beads glinting in the sunlight like real gold. The clay is painted cream with green accents, a scheme that Elincia thinks would suit her if she ever got the chance to hide her face at a ball, though she’s only afforded more practical disguises.
“All of the Begnion nobles are wearing that style. It’s not long ‘til the next dance, so get’em now before all the good ones are snatched up,” the merchant says with a wink. Nailah disregards them, still tilting the mask, and Elincia engages the merchant politely until Nailah puts it back and moves on.
Elincia apologizes to a couple she darts between to keep up with Nailah’s firm strides. The streets are thrumming with shoppers buying fabrics and accessories in preparation for the event, perfect for a pair of hooded queens to get lost in while experiencing Crimean city life. Catching the shape of Nailah’s swishing tail beneath her cloak, Elincia taps her on the shoulder, and Nailah slows and adjusts it with a low growl. “What were those masks for?” she asks while she smoothes the fabric.
“The next dance is a masquerade, where it’s custom for guests to disguise their identities. The evening’s wrapped in mystique. It’s popular among those who want a clean slate, if only for a night.” Elincia lets a sigh slip. She always found the notion romantic, herself. What sorts of love could bloom if people threw away initial judgments? Besides, she thinks, wrapping her cloak tighter around herself, it isn’t as if she wouldn’t sometimes like others to disregard her identity.
“Are the masks always made with feathers?” Nailah asks.
“Not always. Some are decorated with ribbon or other adornments.” Noticing Nailah’s squinted eyes, Elincia clasps her hands. “Ah…they’re from birds, real birds, not…”
Nailah tosses her head, a gesture Elincia has learned means the same as waving a hand in dismissal. “The event sounds interesting, since those who live here are not as equal as those in Hatari. I could see Beorc and Laguz using the opportunity to mingle. But I don’t understand the mask—it covers only part of the face. It doesn’t do a thing to hide the wearer’s smell.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. Beorc don’t have strong enough senses to tell, unless someone wears a unique perfume, I suppose.”
A dog barrels past, causing barking to surround them. Nailah grins at a spot in the distance Elincia can’t make out. “That sounds horribly inconvenient. We wolves can rely on our noses. For instance…” Nailah stops to bend close to Elincia’s ear, brushing the fabric over it out of the way. “These hoods fool only Beorc.”
Her breath feels hot and smells of meat; between her, the herons, and the Beorc, the food in the castle hall has been diverse. Elincia’s cheeks warm.
“Do…do you think anyone in this crowd notices?” Many Gallians visit nearby stalls, as Nailah was right about the masquerades’ broad appeal. They can always tell, then, if their partner is Laguz or Beorc. Elincia wonders if the Beorc attending figure that out.
Nailah’s laughter is rich, the voice of a queen whose howls fill a desert. “We’ve attracted quite a lot of interest. Don’t worry, though. The Beorc haven’t caught on to either of us, and you’re quite safe.”
Fangs press against the skin below Elincia’s ear as if to demonstrate, and goose bumps ring her neck like beads, though she knows Nailah is right.