The Age Up/Down Meme

[kingshaming]

Look, most of our characters have lots of backstory to take advantage of, or headcanons for their future. This is the place to use it!

Prompts

1) People are suddenly shifting ages on the good ship Teremity! It's probably space waves and will fix itself in a day or two, so enjoy reliving your mispent youth.

2) You were always this age! Nothing bad is happening and you all already know each other and it's all cute af. A fluff option.

3) You are this age... and going through your round (or a remixed version) of your Airlocked season. Not for the REALLY young age downs!

Comments

[kingshaming]

[he shakes his head, not looking to fight, but clearly disagreeing]

For the others, of course. Not us. You're a king, surely you've overseen executions before?

[scourgingstars]

...Lucis is reasonably at peace, but such things do of course happen.

[Ardyn sighed, brushing his hair out of his eyes only to have it fall right back into place.]

But mere experience makes it no less easy.

[kingshaming]

[He gives a soft bitter little laugh]

The first execution Father had me view with him, I burst into tears. I thought for sure he would be angry... But instead he ushered me under his cloak to hide.

[he smiles weakly, as if it was a fond memory along with an awful one.]

But after he said that... that a king has to be able to face death and feel nothing. That if he even flinched his people will question his judgement. That... He must feel not pain or pleasure in it. I...

I still can't do that even after six years.

[scourgingstars]

... [...It infuriated him on Xander's behalf, and there was something of a hard tone in Ardyn's voice that was no more for the prince than the sharp frown hidden behind a cup of tea was.]

I hope you will take no offense should I speak candidly. [He thought, for not the first time, of his brother in Xander's place. Always too serious, always struggling to be a prince before he was a son of Lucis like any other.That was too much to ask of any child, royal or otherwise.]

But I believe that to be wrong. Every life of a subject lost--criminal, innocent, man, woman, child--is one that something should be felt for. If a king can not be seen to sympathize with his people, how can they ever trust in him to hold their best interests close to heart?

[kingshaming]

[ Xander frowns, but it's more out of confusion then anger, and he fiddles with his tea cup]

Well... of course one must empathize with his people. But... If you are too familiar certainly it makes making the hard choices too much to bare.

[he looks over his cup at Ardyn, as if he might have some answer for him]

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn carefully collected himself and set aside the cup in his hand, interlacing his fingers on the table and looking to Xander with placid hazel eyes.]

That is the burden a king has to carry upon his shoulders. Compassion is a heavy weight, your highness.

[kingshaming]

[Compassion he has plenty of- even if he tries to hide it]

I... I just don't know.

[he sighs, and sips his tea, and hums in pleasure. Ah, honey. A rare treat]

I'm sorry- it's not like politics make a difference in here.

[scourgingstars]

They don't, no. [Even now he only wore the silver crown out of habit, and the black raiment for lack of much else to actually wear. (The scarf, however, was for some reason non-negotiable and always around his neck.)]

But it is quite alright; I have no problem discussing such matters frankly with you.

[kingshaming]

And I appreciate it. I... wouldn't want to stress my sister back home with such things, and honestly she has no love for the court. My other siblings are too young for such things still.

[scourgingstars]

My younger brother already worries so much about things such as this, so I'm very accustomed to it. I can only offer guidance and shoulder the worst of it myself.

...You are very like him, actually. I must confess it nearly renders me terribly homesick.

[kingshaming]

I hope that's a compliment.

[he gives a boyish smile from behind his teacup]

[scourgingstars]

Oh, of the highest order. [Ardyn laughed lightly, right hand fidgeting with the end of his scarf.] I care for my brother more than anything in the world.

[kingshaming]

[His smile only grows at that]

I understand that feeling. Though if he is the serious one... does that make you the troublemaker?

[scourgingstars]

Me, a troublemaker? Why, Xander, I'm so terribly hurt by such an assumption.

[this is not the face of an innocent person]

Do I truly seem as though I have ever caused trouble once in my eighteen years of life?

[kingshaming]

I wouldn't dare sell you so short.

I'd wager more, hmm, once every eighteen minutes.

[scourgingstars]

Oh, you've wounded me terribly! I'll have to drag myself to the infirmary having cut myself upon your razor sharp intuition.

[kingshaming]

[he laughs brightly, having to put his drink down]

We don't need another trial so soon.

[scourgingstars]

Gods forbid, though I'm sure you'll all be thrilled to at last be rid of me.