#also bal in pretty royal outfits makes me happy

[rosetowers]

I need to stop making Aus and not do anything with them, but Prince Ballister has a hold of my brain, so have some little ideas.

EDIT: forgot to tag @mvjerbs bcs their art caused this

Bal's adopted by the queen during his "breaking-into-the-Institute-bcs-he-wants-to-be-a-knight" thing, and she goes "free baby" and scoops him up.

He has a generally easier time, even if he's a bit disappointed about not being a knight. It's one thing for even the queen to stray from Gloreth's doctrine and allow a commoner to be a knight.

Like, people don't like a commoner becoming heir to the throne, but that's seen as being up to the queen, and the closer relationship protects Bal from people's scorn.

The Director becomes concerned as Bal gets older and more involved in politics, as he starts suggesting stuff like helping the lower classes or anything that affects the status quo, which could put the city (*ahem* the Director) in danger.

The queen had been a bit sheltered from problems in the realm, but takes Bal's advice seriously and starts looking into ways to help people.

I have a couple of ideas as to how he meets Nimona:

Follow canon, somewhat. They meet after the main plot kicks off with Nimona opening Bal's eyes to how much worse the situation is and how corrupt the Institute is etc.

Or, they actually meet when he's younger, and she gives him far more radical ideas as to how they can help the realm.

For the first one, just Bal suggesting they should allow commoners to become knights would be enough to set the Director off, but in the second scenario, Bal could suggest actually trying to explore beyond the walls.

Not sure if I'd have Bal be framed in the second scenario: I feel like they could announce the intention to take down part of the wall ON the wall, and the Director makes it look like someone from outside attacks the royals.

Bal survives, but loses an arm. Thanks to Nimona, he suspects the Director, who demonises him and makes herself regent.

As for Goldenheart, Bal still wanted to learn how to sword fight, so Ambrosius was assigned to be his sparring partner.

Gloreth's descendents also often become royal bodyguards.

This can involve anything from pining over not being able to be together, to saying "fuck it" and doing so behind closed doors.

In the "Bal has known Nimona for years" scenario, Ambrosius knows about her too and agrees that they should help people and explore beyond the walls.

If nothing else, it does give him the opportunity to do something new as Gloreth's descendent.

He still believes in the Institute and doesn't think the Director would hurt anyone, but he also still believes in Bal's plan and doesn't like how he's being treated after the queen is murdered.

So there's some tension going on there as he tries to figure out what he should do.

Again I have put too much thought into this, and I'm not gonna have the attention span/confidence to write a whole fic, but I needed to get it out of my head lol.

#netflix nimona #prince ballister au #goldenheart #nimona #ballister boldheart #ambrosius goldenloin #queen valerin #the director #also bal in pretty royal outfits makes me happy #but i can't draw 😔