#//Just a strong feeling of attachment & fealty to the one would TRUST with your very life; reflexively as breathing. Who'd do so in return | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

katsukikitten · 1 year

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KITTEN MY LOVE GMORNING MWAH MWAH !!

im thinking about knight bakugo being so enamoured of his princess. he's in charge of always keeping an eye on you guarding you and escorting you everywhere.

he's so chivalrous, and maybe the best option for you, but you've been already betrothed to someone else — marriage is not about love but diplomacy and for the sake of the kingdom.

i love the idea of duty breaking eventually to give room to the stored feelings in his heart, but he cannot make love to you, you must remain ""pure"" for your future husband, so sadly you find yourself stopping before he can make love to you — he'll have to contempt himself with eating you out, or maybe you touching him, blowing him off.

eventually, the current king notices of your little escapades, that there's something going on between you two; in fear that your relationship can jeopardize the marriage or the interests of the kingdom, he forbids you and bakugo from seeing each other again; however, since he's always been loyal and maybe the greatest knight this kingdom's ever had, he can remain as a knight — but away from you.

his heart aches, no prince knows you as well as he does, he hates the idea that your hand won't be his, that your thing must remain in secrecy. he is sure that he should be the one who gives you everything, who makes you feel the way you deserve, and the decision of not being able to see you, to kiss you, to touch you, it all pains him.

you're too feeling that way — there's no attachment to your soon-to-be husband. there's nothing that interests you other than being with your chivalrous, sweet and loyal knight. so imagine just how much your father's decision pains your heart. days are longer, and you're feeling void apart from the strong anguish that overwhelms your heart.

so one night you ask your most trusted messenger to deliver your letter. imagine just how overjoyed your knight would be, recognizing your sweet, delicate handwriting in the carefully enveloped letter that you've sent him.

"my dear, faithful knight: my days are filled with no joy ever since the non-merciful decision of the king. there is no way to tell my heart to beat for you no more. Every day, my life extinguishes little by little in these walls. No love or forced, unfair boundaries can keep my love for you caged. My dear knight, I can live not another day in your absence or without your warmth. If your love for me is true, then I must ask you to go to the tree where you have given me a true love kiss for the first time at sunrise, and take me in your horse far away from the shackles of my father and his kingdom. I will be waiting for you, my brave and beloved knight."

your letter is signed a kiss with your rosé lipstick. bakugou, missing you so much, brings your imprinted lips to his own, breathing in your sweet, gentle perfume that you've also sprayed the epistle. he feels you so close right now and, god, his heart throbs ever so hard against his ribcage, that probably anyone could hear it in this small room.

the decision is so clear to him — it has always been. so he wastes not a minute longer, and makes his way to the stable to his horse, the quickest in the whole kingdom. his horse saddled up, the knight begins his journey right there, right then, unable to wait no more to see his princess again, and make her his forever, and take her away.

bakugo katsuki, from the very first day he's sworn fealty to you, has been yours and yours only.

AAAAHHH CHERRY 😭

This is so fucking sweet 🥺 the second he sees that you're suffering and sad in your letter he's rushes to pack his things and supplies for a safe escape.

He has sworn loyalty to you, no longer a princess but now HIS QUEEN 😭

#kitten chats 🖤🐈‍⬛#what a nice thing to wake up to #thank you for the meal cherry

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marshthat · 3 years

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I'm here for the 16-pages essay about Mace and Eeth :)

LMAO well you asked for that yourself hshsjhsjj *cracks knuckles*

It’s almoust 16 pages long in my google docs, I’m not kidding, so I’m gonna make a little intro and then hide the rest under the “keep reading” thing (also I’m going to shorten it a bit, but nothing significant will be left out, I promise)

Uhm so yes three things for the intro:

1. These takes are based mainly on my ship interpretation of the canon things, so yeah if you don’t want to see the ship material in them they can be easily disagreed with in terms of how correct I see the intentions of the characters behind their words and actions, but BUT you’re here for macekoth aren’t you? So for a macekoth shipper this is a list of totally canon endless happiness and we’ll go with that :)

2. LEGENDS CANON IS CANON (in my heart there is no decanonising of the EU, nooo, I pretend disney didn’t hurt me qwq)

3. I'm not a native speaker and my english is far from perfect so if you think I’m talking strange - yes I am, I’m sorry, but yeah, that’s how we’re rolling here.

And now - moving on to the essay. I will take random pieces of media one by one and explain why exactly I see Mace/Eeth there.

As I call this, “Fantastic MaceKoth hints and interactions, and where to find them”

Star Wars 13: Emissaries to Malastare, Part 1

So, what do we see here? Oooooh, the Concordance of Fealty. In general, the exchange of lightsabers is a very interesting phenomenon in the Jedi Order, and not only because no one remembered it existing before Macekoth decided to engage in one (because there are not known participants in the timeline BEFORE Mace and Eeth, while there are some AFTER) , but also because of its significance. The Concordance of Fealty is said to establish a “master-less learning relationship” between the two Jedi, i.e., a Force-bond that, if not superior, is equally as close and strong as the bond of a master and a padawan, which is said to be the closest bond possible in the Order.

As you see, this ritual required deep mutual trust from both its participants, and here's why: the exchange. of. the lightsabers. I will repeat it once more and even emphasise: THE EXCHANGE. OF. THE LIGHTSABERS.

As Anakin Skywalker said in “The Clone Wars” and Obi-Wan Kenobi said in the “Attack of the Clones”, a lightsaber is a Jedi's life, a thing that one should not part with under any circumstances. And what is the Concordance requiring? Exactly this. Giving away your lightsaber. A voluntary action of entrusting your saber, a product of your own hands, a part of yourself, to another sentient. This act of trust can have a very deep meaning, deep subtext to it, if you want it to.

I’m not saying the Concordance has a romantic subtext to it in general, no - but once again, I’m insisting that if someone wanted it to have a romantic subtext, he had the full freedom to pull a hecking legal jedi WEDDING under the cover story of this ritual. Why a wedding? Let’s dig a bit more in the comic page above. How it is depicted, such an exchange of the lightsabers looks suspiciously similar to the exchange of the wedding rings between the spouses. So making a guess that probably by engaging in the Concordance Mace and Eeth tried to pull off a legal wedding within the walls of the Temple in this disguised way seems like a fairly logical assumption. In addition, given that this ritual is stated to be very ancient and therefore long-forgotten, it is not surprising that a very bold plan like that in fact worked right in front of Yoda’s salad.

In addition, you should pay attention to the form in which these vows of the Concordance sound. Especially this "until one or both of us becomes One with the Force." line. Very very much like the real wedding vows that spouses say before the altar, huh?))) (For example, I’ll leave this link to the site with some sample wedding vows)

Besides, the fact that Mace had made actual EFFORT to find this Concordance ritual is so priceless by itself. However, here I tend to think that it was master T'ra Saa who suggested to Mace to search for the ritual and its details, and here are the reasons why. Master Saa: 1) was in the age of about a thousand of years by the time of TPM because of being a neti (i.e. realistically could be the only one in the Order left who could have remembered this Concordance of Fealty) 2) had her own experience of a romantic relationship, with master Tholme (i.e. she understood the issue of new feelings born between the two Jedi more than the most) 3) T'ra looked after Mace a lot when he was young, so she was literally his mother figure, and to whom can a poor confused with his romantic feelings jedi master go, if not to his tree mom? :З

Shatterpoint (novel) — M. Stover

Here I want to go back to what I said about “the lightsaber is part of the Jedi.” In Stover's novel, there is an episode where Mace looks at Depa Billaba's saber and speculates about whether she could have given it to Nick Rostu voluntarily.

Mace is mentioning the Concordance of Fealty in this novel too!

The curious thing is that Mace asks “Would she give away part of herself?" So, firstly, by this he is confirming that the Concordance implies exactly this act of mutual trust (what I talked about in the previous part), and secondly, he is hinting that since he did perform this ritual with Eeth Koth, it means that he, Mace Windu, willingly entrusted a part of himself to the hands of the zabrak. (and this is HIS interpretation of what the Concordance means to HIM) Isn't that an act of true love?)

Jedi Council: Acts of War, Part 3

Here is a peculiar moment in the comic - when the two groups of the Jedi join together in the final battle to confront the enemy yinchorri army, both Mace and Eeth separate each other's names from the rest of the group when talking about several fellow Jedi at once. And if Eeth can have a reason for this, because Mace was the leader of this whole mission in the first place, Mace himself still doesn’t have any rational reasons to underline exactly Eeth’s name (and in the background of the second frame you can see that the first one to run in the battlefield is also not Eeth, which excludes the possibility of identifying Koth as just running the first).

What I want to say by this is that they just subconsciously separate each other's names, because their first thoughts, of course, focus on their dear beloved, and only then they add “and others”. Also I want to say that consider that MASTER MACE WINDU, the man of the “less talking, more doing” standarts, in the middle of the battle actually FOUND some time to stop and ask how his dear Eeth is doing.

Republic 65: Show of Force, Part 1

In this comic there is not an interaction, but a hint, but even if it's not the most obvious and outstanding, it is still worth mentioning.

Mace returns T'ra her lightsaber, which she lost during the previous battle, and a curious dialogue happens between them.

Master Saa says that the saber is just a tool that one shouldn’t get attached to. And that Mace SHOULD know that. Personally, I see this here as a direct reference to the Concordance of Fealty (which by the time of this comic has been already completed ten years earlier), and as a confirmation that T'ra Saa knows about the nature of the relationship between master Windu and master Koth.

What I think Mace’s tree mom is saying between the lines here: “you shouldn't get attached to a lightsaber. You once owned Eeth Koth’s saber, Mace, so you understand that by "lightsaber" I mean Eeth Koth himself. And you remember that attachments are still forbidden in the Jedi Order, so be careful there with your little horned husband, son."

Given that the events of this comic take place during the Clone Wars, this means that there has already happened the battle on the Petranaki Arena on Geonosis, where Eeth’s LAAT/i exploded in front of Mace’s eyes. ( This thing blowing up in aotc is the LAAT/i on which were Eeth Koth, Sora Bulq and Tarados Gon )

And perhaps he did spend too much time near the zabrak’s bacta tank afterwards and it gave birth to some rumors or concerns - and that is what T'ra Saa hints at. (also, the timeline of this comic is listed as 21 bby, which does not exclude the possibility of also the battle of Korriban already happened, where Eeth nearly died again, and even the torture of Eeth in Grievous’s hands too, which only gives Mace more reasons to go over his usual reserved boundaries in his wish to comfort and protect his beloved)

Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones

A very interesting thing is in one of the deleted scenes of " Attack of the Clones”. And yes, another hint, but wait, some more interaction are coming later. And for now... I'm of course talking about this scene of the conversation between Mace Windu and Obi-Wan Kenobi before the latter's departure to Kamino. In this scene, Kenobi expresses his concern that Anakin has a strong attachment to the senator from Naboo, and this attachment may cause some troubles for him when serving his duty as a Jedi and as her guardian. And let’s try to think about the reaction of Windu himself to this statement and how we can interpretate it: 1) He is not surprised by the news on Anakin's attachment, and accepts it very calmly. 2) In this scene, it is actually Windu who calms down panicking Obi-Wan with the words "you must believe that he will make the right choice”, and not vice versa.

What can this mean?

This can mean that Mace is not only not at all shocked by Skywalker's forbidden attachment, but on the contrary, supports Anakin and gives him a chance to make the right choice. I mean, Mace doesn't judge Anakin, Mace sympathizes with the young man in love and he trusts him. It’s a fair assumption that Windu himself most likely has an experience of such a situation, to which he compares the Skywalker’s issue and makes his conclusion, isn’t it?

To sum up? In this scene, Windu may be probably recalling his own special bond with _someone_, and, drawing from it the conclusion that a Jedi CAN perfectly fulfil his duties even if he has romantic feelings, advises Obi-Wan to trust his padawan with this.

Grievous Intrigue — Star Wars: the Clone Wars 2x09

A small, but very a cute detail: in the episode when a hologram is shown to the Jedi Council, on which general Grievous tortures Eeth Koth and promises the zabrak jedi master "endless suffering” Mace Windu clenches his fists in the background.

And how much was said about the Jedi acceptance, the fortitude, the “letting go of emotions in the Force”… But what acceptance could be here when your small tender husband is being cruelly tortured with the electrostaff???

Before the holotransmition / / after the holotransmition

Star Wars: Zam Wesell

Here is a moment I spotted in this comics: when masters Rancisis and Koth both speak up during a Council meeting, Eeth is the first one Mace answers to. I know that this can seem a little bit weak as an argument but add to this THAT stare Koth gives Windu when applying for being the Alderaan guard.

Yes, exactly. THAT kind of stare right here ( ͡ ° ͜ʖ ͡ ° )

I mean, seriously, man, stop flirting with your Master of the Order husband right in the middle of the meeting! We know that on Alderaan they make one of the best sorts of wine in the whole galaxy, and you want to offer a date, but calm down a bit please, okay? You don’t want to get caught, right?)))

Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace

No, well, but there is no excuse for the fact that in the background during the scene of the Council meeting before sending Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi to Naboo as an escort for queen Amidala, Eeth is sitting in exactly the same way in which you could see Windu sitting himself on some of the TPM photos. That's all, that’s like the final proof that Eeth is a stupid husband and in love with his partner. Because one of the forms of love language? Yes, the one with interest copying, when a person is copying the gestures, the stature and the movements of whom he’s interested in, u-hum.

Eeth really have no, NO excuse for that, I swear

Bonus: The seats on the High Council

As one very wise person on twitter had once said,

This person was referring to Plo Koon and Kit Fisto tho, but I tell you what, this also applies very much to Mace Windu and Eeth Koth. So here is Mace and Eeth on the Council staring at each other after a holotransmition!

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gelum-lumen · 5 years

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(( **breathes** pokemon au hcs: UNDER THE CUT BC THIS GOT SO LONG IM SO SORRY DJLDFJ

vergils starter is a charmander he gets from his father that he names Aramis. they have a pretty professional relationship they see each other as equals and defend each others backs and have a really deep respect for the other. if one of them were to fall in battle the other wouldnt cry but mourn quietly since it was an warriors death and an honorable way to go out. he gets a mega evolutionary stone and gets his blue black to match his trainer. he doesnt mind being in his pokeball in fact he prefers it from time to time since he likes to take long rests between battles and its the most efficient way to get that. sort of the leader of the group but in a semi detached way like your older cousin taking charge everyone knows hes capable and hes good at what he does and they respect him but hes not going out of his way to make deep bonds in case one of them falls in battle and it sways his heart. when vergil splits he stays with urizen.

literally like a week after he gets aramis they stumble upon a wounded bounsweet who clearly got separated from her group and attracted predators. vergil being a good bean takes her in and trains her and hes deeply attached to her shes his little girl,, her name is Vittoria and shes super oblivious and ditzy but sweet and vergil trains her to be a bit more independent and strong and learn how to deal with strangers if they ever get separated and eventually she evolves into tsareena and truly exudes the power and majesty he had taught her and hes just!!! so proud!!!!! his baby girl flowered beautifully and he nicknames her Contessa. shes got BIG mom energy once she evolves everyone respects her and listens carefully even aramis because he acknowledges her growth now that shes strong enough to not have him watch her back. they have an interesting dynamic of mutual respect and shes easily the one hes closest to. she also doesnt mind her ball but she stays out a lot. she stays with V and protects him while shadow and griffon are busy vergil finds a kirlia after he runs away from his first orphanage. its clearly been abandoned too and he offers to take it in after getting on its good side by offering it food and defending it from some mean pack of pidgeys and names him Gadriel. by this point vittoria and aramis have gotten to their second evo so theyre all pretty evenly matched which is good for their dynamic. aramis respects him for holding his own and vittoria is still a ditzy baby so she just likes him because he looked cool fighting and gadriel has this big baby crush on her and always runs for the chance to protect her!!! its really cute at least vergil thinks so. gadriel doesnt twirl or dance very much at all since,, well vergil doesnt have a nice life but he always ends up dancing when theyre all out of their pokeballs and enjoying each others company since its when vergils happiest. when he evolves into gallade he develops a very valiant personality and is very much the defender of the group. hes quick on the scene and fast to strike enemies down. him and vittoria are the ones who stay out of their balls the most and just do things with vergil and spend time with him. he goes with v bc...vittoria is there too lmao he meets his zorua and luxio at the same time. theyre scraping over food when he finds them in an alleyway. zorua is fiesty and he beats the shit out of luxio but he ends up sharing what little there is anyway because he feels bad. vergil watches the scene and vittoria and gadriel nudge him over to offer their spare food and hes just like “sigh fine” but when he approaches they both run off. he ends up tracking them down which isnt hard bc theyre both pretty injured and ends up gaining both of their trust after feeding and healing them. vittoria convinces them to join and turns around to vergil and pats at his satchel of pokeballs and hes like. “what. wait what???” and ends up taking them in jkdfsbdsld he doesnt mind since theyre both scrappy and strong which he respects and names the zorua Perses and the luxio Asteria since they already get along well enough now. by this point vergils fifteenish and living on his own in a tiny box of an apartment so unfortunately they have to stay in their balls unless he wants to get kicked out :/ sometimes he lets perses go do his thing though since hes a night owl and usually brings back money or cool jewelry when hes out causing mischief in the streets. asteria is quieter more resigned but shes very resourceful with hunting and tracking once vergil gets into the sellsword business. neither of them stay with urizen or v they ran off to do their own thing and stay safe since the situation was just unfamiliar enough to tip them off that something was wrong and they work better on the streets. they stick around in v’s general vicinity though and just keep an eye out since vittoria and gadriel are there but....urizen nah lmao articuno would be the only pokemon vergil gets post mundus. they basically adopt vergil after seeing him struggling but still fighting so valiantly to survive and would respect his teams synergy. theyd be like the sage of the group old beyond their understanding but eternally patient and wise. vergil doesnt name them because he doesnt feel he has the right. articuno goes with urizen not out of fealty but to keep an eye on him and to make sure aramis can get out of dodge if need be.

mini au with @demonslayvr where vittoria gets left behind post dmc3 and stays with dante who she remembers from when vergil was a kid and she was still a bounsweet. dantes the one who evolves her into a tsareena out of respect for vergils memory thinking hes gone for real and they bond over mutual grieving ))

#hc #verse:once we were lost now we are found

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xtestament · 7 years

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Each Type as Kidnappers:

ESFJ: This one honestly believes they have your “good will” at heart. They’ve grown so close to you, that they feel like they are responsible for each of your actions... therefore this type will likely kidnap you because to them it is after all, for your own good, and no one knows you better than they do.

ISFJ: Likely a lonely person who has desired to become a parent but was never able to, due to medical or other issues. As such will often hear the phrase “They’re such good little children aren’t they, I would love to have good little children like them.” As the parents of the children simply laugh and do not understand this person means it literally and at one moment in the dead of night those children are gone. To this kidnappers mind he/she may truly believe they could give those kids a better life.

INFP: The overly attached one... and I do mean... the overly attached one, you know that overly attached girlfriend or boyfriend? In anime this kidnapper would be likely considered a Yandere, very dangerous and best to try and avoid at all costs. They grow attached to you too fast, to the point where if they can’t have you, no one else can, and they will make sure to have a bunch of pointy things around to make their point clear that you are to never leave their side.

ENFP: Truthfully probably the absentminded overly excited one, they had this idea, that lead to this other idea, which then caused them to get their friends to tag along with said idea... and by tag along, I mean “It would be so cool to go to Bermuda with my friends and explore those Islands... except they’re not much into traveling so I’ll just drug them and when they wake up they’ll have a surprise in store.” And of course said surprise would be friends waking up in Bermuda wondering how the F they got there, as the overly excited ENFP is simply repeating “It’ll be fine, trust me we’re going to have so much fun.” Only to likely get ship wrecked a few days later.

INTP: This one started with a thought... the said thought being “I wonder what would happen if I...” To them it is an experiment, likely an experiment on the victims psyche, also to them since it would be too much of a bother to keep said victim around, would simply release them after they’ve performed their tests. Of course this could be anyone... from friends to strangers, the idea however, is that in order to truly test their reaction, they must be surprised, and what best way to surprise some one and hold them against their will, than a surprise kidnapping.

ENTP: They got bored... it’s very dangerous when an ENTP gets bored, especially if said ENTP decides they want to watch some real life drama in a certain setting. The victims never knew what hit them, only to find themselves in an abandoned area, with the ENTP on the intercom explaining to them the rules of the game, if you win, you get freed, if you lose well... you’re on your own, in either case it is more a matter of amusement to this kidnapper than anything else, besides what are one or two dead bodies anyways?

ENTJ: Likely runs some kind of syndicate... actually most likely does run some kind of syndicate, disguised as a mere business on the outside. This kidnapper means business, they don’t need your money, they don’t need your pleading unless it’s one of utmost fealty. No they will kidnap some one you love to prove a point, that point being they know where you live, they know who you love, and they know who your friends are, so fall in line or else. And what better way to drive that point in than to kidnap the person you love the most.

INTJ: This one will not do the kidnapping themselves, nor will they kidnap just anyone. Power and money are their motive and gain, but why should they be the ones to get their hands dirty? As such their web is far and wide, and the ones they kidnap will be people of influence and stature... or at least their family members. Of course this would be done via minions and messengers, as they either begin to blackmail or send in the ransom notices to said family members. Even if they are caught... they never are truly caught.

ISFP: Much like the INFP, also potentially dangerous, but they’ve got a more... hands on twisted idea of love or beauty... perhaps even both. The victims don’t need to be alive, they just need to feel them, feel their warm blood and beating heart, and yes this could mean literally. Likely strong into S&M, but without that safe word, as their screams are music to the ear and their blood a way to paint with... sometimes even on the victims bodies themselves. In, let’s face it, a very twisted version of self expression.

ESFP: Desperate and perhaps a bit delusional, wants love and attention, but is constantly avoided, driving them to finally snap. Once done they will become a serial kidnapper, and bring people to places where they really don’t want to be. The madness of this kidnapper will likely cause some harm, with some apologies directly after, and thinks forcing things it considers fun onto people a perfectly acceptable thing. Also most likely to be the one saying “See aren’t we having so much fun?!” with a crazed expression and likely a bunch of dead bodies and freaked out people.

INFJ: Has “seen the signs” has “put things together” strongly believes imminent doom is coming down upon all, unless one were to find a way to survive it all. To protect the ones he/she love, this one will lead them subtly into a “bunker” until the perceived danger is gone. The stars have foretold him/her so, and it is within their duty to protect everyone. As such will often be the one constantly saying “Do not hate me for this, for it will all be over soon and we will build a new world, as the corrupt above die and burn.”

ENFJ: The cult leader... and by cult leader, I mean the one who kidnapped a bunch of youth, and started indoctrinating them into believing that they’re a god/goddess who is to be worshiped and has come down upon them in human form. Will likely make them believe that there is no hope for survival without the aid of their divine guidance, and that their divine providence is that which protects all. Those who do not believe are heathens and that those kidnapped are the god/goddesses closest and truest disciples, meant to keep the god/goddess company for all time away from society.

ISTP: Don’t travel alone in the woods at night, for there is one out there who sees you as game and a thrill of the hunt. They have their own special little cabin in the woods... yes that kind of Cabin in the Woods. Which this kidnapper likely built themselves with their own hands. Woe to all who tread pass on his/her land for soon they will never see civilization again. Upon capture, will be put in cages and treated like caged animals, trophies that he/she has been able to capture, it’s more fun keeping them alive, then having them dead.

ESTP: This one has kidnapped only the one important to it’s arch-nemesis, why? To fight that’s why, the hero has been alluding them for far to long, and this kidnapper has finally... finally found the ones the hero has loved, or well... villain depending on how you look at the story... Regardless, those he kidnapped he has set a time limit on, if his/her enemy doesn’t show up... oh no what is one to do? Besides push them off a cliff of course. In reality however, he/she is banking on the Hero to show up, and to have one final grand stand against them in an epic battle between the two that would go down in the pages of history.

ISTJ: This one is merely doing their duty, fulfilling the role their boss has set upon them as a loyal worker, perhaps even the loyalest workers. He/She may not agree with the standards upon which their employee is doing things, but they have been around them the longest, who are they to judge? As such for this one, kidnapping you is really nothing personal, it’s just business.

ESTJ: This one much like the ENTJ is not to be trifled with. Perhaps this one is the leader of the Mafia, Yakuza, the Triad or what ever kind of gang it may be. He/she looks after their subordinates well if wise, and treats them like crap if not. One will likely be kidnapped by this type if say... a friend or family member your close to decided to... borrow some money from some loan sharks. You may not be killed, but should payment not be sent quickly enough... expect to lose a few fingers or toes until payment is met.

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ricandhaiz · 6 years

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The Rose of Castile, Part 1 (Reunion)

It was the seventh of December of the year of our Lord 1072 when King Alfonso VI and his royal court, consisting of his sister, the Infanta Urraca, as well a number of prelates, nobles, and their attendants and knights, neared the city of Burgos in the Kingdom of Castile. After years of fratricidal strife between royal brothers García, Sancho and Alfonso, the kingdoms of Leon and Castile was once again united under one ruler. The assassination of Alfonso’s older brother, King Sancho II of Castile, in the city of Zamora, as well as his younger brother’s, King García I of Galicia’s, crumbling support amongst his nobles in Galicia presented Alfonso with the opportunity to consolidate power and crush all dissent over the lands once held by his father, King Fernando I. Thus, Alfonso made the decision to travel from Leon to Burgos with his most trusted advisors for the specific purpose of signing charters marking the formal reconciliation of Castile with its new king.

After days of travel in bitingly cold weather, Don Raul González, a Leonese knight from the House of Banu Goméz, was eager to reach Castile’s capital city. He longed for nothing more than to sit in front of a warm hearth and eat a hot meal. He was tired of war and the near constant campaigning that had taken him away from his family’s estates in Leon for months on end. But now that Alfonso VI was the uncontested ruler of Castile and Leon, he had increasingly felt the compulsion to choose a bride and settle down.

As a member of one of the great noble families of the realm, the only real constraint he had with respect to whom he could marry was that the maiden or widow had to be someone of equal social stature. Although there were more than a few women to choose from, he could not seem to find a woman that suited his needs. Even his growing attachment to the widow Rosa, a woman with whom he had been developing a romantic relationship in recent months, could move him to propose to her. Though the reason for his predicament would not have been obvious to most, those who knew him well were not at all surprised by this turn of events. For, if truth be told, his heart had long ago been captured by a beautiful Castilian girl named Doña Inés Cortés whose beauty and spirit had long ago eclipsed all others in both his mind and heart.

As the city came into view, Raul’s younger brother, Armando, who was riding abreast of him, said, “Do you think the city has changed much since the last time we were here? It holds many fond memories for you, does it not?”

Raul nodded and looked away. Undeterred by his brother’s apparent reticence to continue that line of conversation, Armando asked, “Will you be calling on Don Corto Fernandez and his family once we arrive?”

While Armando waited for a response, Raul and Armando’s primo (cousin), Count Pedro Ansúrez, who was riding just ahead of them, glanced back and said, “I should like to join you if you do. The situation with the nobility in Castile is still quite delicate, especially given the circumstances surrounding Sancho’s demise. Securing the support of his former mayordomo (steward) would greatly assist the king’s effort to ensure the loyalty of the nobles who supported his brother.”

“If I do decide to pay Don Corto a visit, you will certainly be more than welcome to accompany me there,” Raul replied.

Just then, another primo, Don Pedro Múñoz, who was riding next to the Count, joined in on the conversation. “There were rumors that Don Corto’s son, Sergio, was next in line to be Sancho’s alférez (royal military commander).”

“I heard that too,” Raul replied. “He would have been an excellent choice given his skill on the battlefield.”

Grim-faced, the Count replied, “I saw first-hand his exploits in battle alongside Don Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar (El Cid). It is not an experience that I would wish to relive anytime soon.”

“But now that Sancho has passed on, surely the Castilians will have little choice but to acquiesce and align themselves with the king,” Armando pointed out.

The Count replied, “Fortunately, Bishop Jimeno of Oca-Burgos and counts Gonzalo Salvadórez and Muño González of Lara have already pledged their support to the king. He is hopeful that Don Rodrigo and the knights who follow him can be persuaded to show their fealty to him as well.”

“And if they do not, what then?”

“Then they will suffer the consequences,” the Count replied matter-of-factly and then asked, “So what are you most looking forward to upon our arrival in Burgos?”

“Getting out of this blasted cold,” Armando exclaimed without hesitation. “Taking a hot bath and eating a warm meal in front of a roaring fireplace will be my first order of business.”

“And you?’ the Count asked, turning to Raul.

Before Raul could answer, Armando interjected, “Isn’t it obvious? He comes to win the heart of none other than the rose of Castile.”

“Ah, I see,” the Count replied with a snicker. “You have some history with the daughter of Don Corto, do you not?” Raul nodded. The Count added, “I have heard that she has spurned the attentions of many well-healed noblemen from Galicia to Catalan.”

“Aye primo, that would not surprise me,” Raul replied with a wistful smile. “Doña Inés was a very headstrong and independent-minded child.”

The Count said, “Even so, she is clearly of marriageable age. Don Corto would be well advised to forge as advantageous an alliance as he can between his daughter and a peer of the realm at the earliest possible opportunity if he wishes to continue to advance his family’s influence and interests.”

“Then there is no time to waste,” Armando said to Raul. “You must plead your cause with her at the earliest possible opportunity.”

“I will do no such thing,” Raul replied. “Did you not hear our primo? Doña Inés already has half the kingdom clamoring for her hand without me adding to her woes.”

“If not her, then who?” Don Pedro asked.

Armando again answered for Raul. “He has been calling on Don Antonio of Palencia’s widow, Doña Rosa.”

“I knew her husband. What is she like?”

Armando said, “She is small…and rather haggard looking, don’t you think?” Raul frowned but said nothing. Armando then asked, “How old did you say she was?”

Eyes narrowing, Raul replied, “One and twenty.”

“Is she really?” Armando asked, feigning shock. “I would have sworn that she was no younger than one and thirty. And that smile,” he added, wincing. “It does so remind me of Fiero…She was a good horse.”

The Count and Don Pedro laughed heartily while Raul glowered in silence.

Although it was becoming patently obvious that Raul was near his boiling point, Armando chose to continue with his verbal onslaught. “Well then, if you are intent on pursuing Doña Rosa, maybe I should call on Doña Inés myself…”

This time, Raul responded swiftly. He unsheathed his sword and placed the blade’s edge underneath Armando’s chin and hissed, “Enough.”

“Put that away,” the Count ordered Raul while Don Pedro took Armando aside.

Once Don Pedro and Armando were out of earshot of the Count and Raul, Don Pedro took the opportunity to admonish his young primo. “What, may I ask, was the point of that? From all that I know, hasn’t Raul always treated you with kindness and consideration.” Armando nodded, looking chastened and solemn. Don Pedro then asked, “Why then, do you insist on tormenting him so?”

“You misconstrue my purpose. I care for my brother a great deal. So much so, in fact, that I cannot in good conscience stand by and watch him make what I know in my heart would be a grave error on his part.”

“And what would that be?”

“Settling for one woman while letting the woman he truly loves slip through his fingers.”

Don Pedro replied, “Armando, you know as well as I that the noble class rarely bases the decision to marry on so fleeting a feeling. We’re a practical lot.”

“That may be true, but even you must admit that there have been exceptions to this rule. My parents, for example, were known to have cared very deeply for one another. And as for Raul, he has been in love with Doña Inés for as long as I can remember. Is it so wrong for me to want more for my brother than an arranged marriage?”

“Love is a delicate matter. It cannot be forced, but if Raul’s feelings for her are as strong as you believe them to be, he will not be able to simply brush them aside in her presence and do nothing.”

“But Pedro, what if…”

Don Pedro raised his hand, stopping Armando mid-sentence. “As your older and infinitely wiser primo, I advise you to listen well to what I am about to say to you. Stop trying to meddle in Raul’s affairs and let destiny take its course. If it is God’s will for Raul marry Inés, it will happen regardless of what you say or do.”

Armando opened his mouth to reply, but then thought better of it, and opted instead to nod and say no more.

As soon as the royal court came upon the Arlanzón River, which was located on the outskirts of Burgos, Raul took his horse for a canter along the river’s edge while the rest of his travel companions continued on into the city. As he spurred Bandido, his chestnut-colored mare forward, he felt his mind begin to drift away from the present moment toward thoughts of Inés.

Raul’s eyes had just settled upon a row of trees with snow-covered branches when he heard the sound of horses’ hooves galloping toward him. As a precaution, he moved off the path he had been taking and hid behind a large tree trunk. It wasn’t long before two riders raced by him. Believing that he recognized the larger of the two, he called out to the man by name. His voice cut through the air like a siren, causing the riders to halt and turn toward him. Slowly, he moved out into the open. As they, in turn, approached, the larger rider motioned to the other one, whose face was hidden by a cap and cloak, to stay well behind him before he turned to Raul and said, “And who, may I ask, are you?”

“Sergio, my friend, do you not recognize me? I was but a boy when last we met. You pulled me out of this very river many summers ago after I had fallen in and nearly drowned. You took me to your home and provided me with shelter and food until my mother came to retrieve me. In all the years hence, I have not forgotten the kindness that you and your family showed me or the bond of friendship we forged from that day hence.”

“My God, Raul, is it really you?” Sergio exclaimed as his guarded expression melted away. “You look almost nothing like the sopping wet boy I remember fishing out of the river. Tell me, to what do I owe this unexpected visit?”

“I am here on the king’s business,” Raul replied as Sergio motioned for the other rider to come closer. “He has come to make peace with the nobles and ask for their fealty.”

Sergio countenance darkened as he turned to one side and spat. “That is quite magnanimous of him, don’t you agree Inés?”

Had Raul heard Sergio correctly? Was this other rider, in fact, Sergio’s hermana (sister) Inés? He could hardly believe his eyes as he watched Inés remove her cap, allowing her long, brown tresses to cascade down her back and shoulders. Being the war-hardened warrior that he was, it amazed him how quickly her presence had left him feeling disarmed and vulnerable. And, in his estimation, even the boyish clothes she wore in no way dimmed her beauty or lessened the powerful attraction he felt toward her.

“It is good to see you again,” Inés said, blushing slightly in the face of Raul’s penetrating stare.

“And I, you,” Raul replied slowly. “Although I must confess that I am a bit perplexed to see you outdoors on such a cold and dreary day such as this.”

“I begged Sergio to come out for a ride with me. I’ve been cooped up indoors and was in desperate need of fresh air. It is not in my nature to be so confined.” As Raul listened to Inés speak, it warmed his heart to know that neither time nor the strictures of society had in any way altered the spirited and unconventional girl he had met and fallen in love with in his youth.

Just then, Raul caught sight of Sergio’s eyes darting from Raul to Inés with knowing amusement. Thankfully, Inés’ brother made no reference to what he had observed and instead said, “My father received an invitation from the king to attend a reception at the castle tomorrow evening. I have heard that nearly every magnate and prelate in the kingdom will be in attendance.”

“Yes, it is to be preceded by a mass at Santa Gadea Church to commemorate the king’s ascension to the throne of Castile. Will your family be there as well?”

Sergio nodded, grim-faced. “You know as well as I that any occasion involving the king is an event that can only be ignored at one’s peril.”

Although it was obvious to Raul that Sergio’s feelings toward the king were ambivalent at best, Raul nonetheless asked him, “Is it true that Don Rodrigo intends to ask the king to swear publicly on holy relics that he had nothing to do with Sancho’s death?”

Sergio’s pursed his lips and, at first, said nothing, while the grip on his horse’s reigns noticeably tightened. Finally, he replied, “I cannot speak for the Cid. All I can say with any amount of certainty is that he will do what he thinks is best for the kingdom and the men he commands.”

Likely sensing the heightened tension in the air, Inés chimed in and asked Raul, “Will you be attending the reception alone?”

“Yes, my lady,” Raul replied, smiling. “And whom, may I ask, will have the pleasure of being your escort?”

“No one,” Sergio replied with a snort. “My padre (father), Don Corto, madrastra (stepmother), Doña Teresa, and abuela (grandmother), Doña Isabel, will be accompanying her there.”

Raul’s grin broadened further at the news. “I am surprised to hear that. I would have thought that a beautiful young lady like you would have had at least a dozen suitors clamoring for the opportunity to be seen with you on their arm.”

Inés’ blushed deepened while Sergio rolled his eyes and said, “Doña Teresa would like nothing better than to see her married off to a rico hombre (magnate). As of this moment, she is intent on pairing Inés off with Don Alonso Muñoz, the oldest son of Count Muño Gonzalez of Lara.”

The news hit Raul like a dagger to the heart. Still, for propriety’s sake, he hid his distress from view with a suitably stolid expression. “Are you amenable to such a union?”

“I hardly know him,” Inés replied, “but my madrastra speaks of his family in the most glowing terms, and she expects that their influence and holdings are likely grow even more now that Alfonso is king.”

As the import of Inés’ words sank in, Raul considered the possibility countering what Don Alonso would likely offer Inés’ family in exchange for her hand in marriage. Although he too was the son of a count, it was his older primo, Pedro Ansúrez, who had inherited the family’s most prized patrimonial lands and titles upon Raul’s father’s death in 1057. Given his present circumstances, he quickly concluded that he had neither the wealth nor the status to compete with the likes of Don Alonso. And so, it was with a heavy heart that he asked, “What is your opinion of him?”

“He seems likeable enough,” Inés replied, “and I suppose that I could grow to care for him in time should our families decide that it is in the best interests of everyone concerned for us to be married.” Raul furrowed his brow while she, in turn, eyed him with speculation. “Why do you ask? Are you aware of some impediment or flaw in his character?”

“No, not at all,” Raul replied with noticeable haste. “I have only ever wished for your happiness. If your heart is set on marrying him, I would be the last man to stand in your way.”

At that point, Sergio chimed in and said, “The hour is late, and I am sure that Raul is quite tired and in need of rest. There will be plenty of time on the morrow to speak of all that he has seen and done since we saw him last. Don’t you agree?”

“Yes, of course,” Raul replied even though he was loathe to be parted from her. “Until tomorrow.”

Raul shook Sergio’s hand and then turned to Inés, who offered him her hand. He gladly took it and placed a gentle kiss on her fingertips before bidding them both farewell.

#hailee steinfeld #ricardo gomez #romance #love story #horror #historical fiction #medieval #reconquista

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