Noblesse Oblige [Znt/SI]
- Location
- Greece
These were the ingredients chosen to create the edgiest, most depressing ZnT fic of all time. But Author Shade accidentally added an extra ingredient to the concontion:
FLUFF!
And thus Noblesse Oblige was born.
CaesriusPolybius
Worldgate Mechanic
- Location
- United States. Ish.
Now the question is: how long will the fluff last? Or will it soon be too dilute?
So, do you think Mathilda is honestly interested in Henry or just faking it? Canon!Mathilda definitely wasn't above using her feminine wiles, but this version of her seems less jaded and cynical.
The author has a tendency for such campy and dramatic speeches. It's a good thing Henry is a noble in feudal Halkegenia. Anywhere else, the sheer optical damage from all those rolling eyes...
About the size of an adult person. Raven's big enough to give hugs.
It's probably genuine. This Mathilda hasn't resorted to robbing nobles yet before they were rescued.
Speaking of Mathilda... @shadenight123 are you going to reveal how Henry managed to have her and Tiffania smuggled out of Albion? With the looming civil war, the soldiers would've been on high alert. Did he leave it all to Pierre?
- Location
- Elsewhere
If you're used to Starbucks, espresso will probably be too strong for your tastes. Even if it isn't do not drink more than three cups in a day unless you habitually live on coffee.
Seriously, even if you go hang out with @shadenight123 while there, and he's guzzling down a dozen each day, do not try to match him drink for drink. At best you'll get an upset stomach, at worse an ulcer.
If you live in a big city and you want to try it out before vacation, you can probably find someplace that serves italian coffee made with an italian machine. e.g.: Store Locator | Nespresso Boutiques | Nespresso USA
If you find espresso unpalatable, and you're staying at a decent hotel while in Europe, you can probably ask for coffee made with a moka pot or a flip pot.
Those make lighter coffee, but it's also easier to screw up the brewing, so YMMV depending on the establishment.
- Location
- https://discord.gg/z9tBvbh
Where are you going? Depending on the where, I might just surprise you.
STANDING! ON THE EDGE! OF THE CRATER! LIKE THE PROPHETS ONCE SAID!
Hmm... Henry starting his own army... When is he going to lose an arm? XD
Retsof
I will keep you safe.
So who is going to get Twitchy as a familiar?
Nervos Belli
Don't think this means you've won!
- Location
- Murica
Guiche
- Location
- Dreary ol' London Town
Rome. Being very proper touristy and gonna see ALL da things and the Holy City because why not.
PseudoSim
Intentionally Obfuscating
- Location
- Beating my muse with a bat for being a pain
Eh... could have at least had her do some work for/with the Night Wind. Shes powerfull but she needs experience.
Chapter Eighty-One
- Location
- https://discord.gg/z9tBvbh
Chapter Eighty-One
My lunch with the family went by swimmingly well. Although Karin ate with decor, she also ate nimbly and quickly -the terrifying munchies beset on her- and there were hints of smiles on her face whenever she heard Louise or Josette speak. It was obvious she was enjoying herself, and her mask was slowly being eroded away.
After lunch, I ended up in father's office with mother by his side. With the servants excused, the door and the windows -and even the walls themselves- under a silencing spell, it was clear that they wanted an extended version of what was going on.
"Henry," Pierre said, "How much trouble did you exactly throw yourself into?"
"Well," I said shyly, "It depends on your definition of trouble, father," I twiddled with my fingers. "We might be hosting the twin sister of the daughter of the Duke D'Orleans, who is thought dead by everyone else, and the daughter that the Archduke of Albion had with his elf mistress-"
There was a brief moment in which the windows rattled, it was a moment that soon passed, "Yes, that much was clear," Karin said with a voice that brokered no argument. "It is the reason why you are doing this that still eludes me."
"Because...I did not want to leave them where they were?" I hazarded. "I mean-Josette was in a monastery, when she deserved much more, and Tiffania was running for her life together with Mathilda from the Albion forces, so...I decided I could give them better-"
"Noble of you," Pierre said, "But...Henry, you understand this doesn't look that way. I-I understand that Gallia's politics can be quite cutthroat at the present, and such a move to eliminate a rival-it's understandable, but if it's discovered-you might as well lose your head," he cringed. "The Duke D'Orleans might feel offended by this, ask for a duel to the death-he's a powerful rival, Henry. Your best choice would be to feign a retrieval of sorts. Or have someone else do it and-"
"They'd kill her," I said softly. "For real this time," I grimaced. "There were plans being prepared for her death if I did actually find her alive," I acquiesced. "So, at the very least until Joseph becomes king-she needs to be kept safe."
"And afterwards?" Pierre asked.
"Afterwards...if she wants to return home to her real family, then I just think it's best to let her go," I said honestly. "My plan wasn't to acquire a political hostage, though it works that way too. I just-"
"I am thankful you have decided to wisely leave everything concerning politics to your wife, Henry," Karin said with a dreadful sigh, rubbing her temples. "Hearing your words-I am on one side proud of having such a kind son, and on the other terrified of what that kindness will mean for your future."
"I like going to sleep with my conscience clear," I said with a small smile.
"With that said," Pierre sighed, "What is this about a Petite Armée? Most of the nobles in Tristain are worried it's the start of a new series of war, but with you at the lead of it, if you can say what it's about then I can perhaps pacify them."
"Ah, it's mostly peacekeeping," I answered nimbly, "There are a lot of tensions between the nobles of the country of Gallia-many are unlanded, and those who are try their hardest to keep their lands, or prevent losing them. Some of them abuse their power, others their commoners-it's a tangled mess, so...when the king made me a Marshal, I thought to myself that levying armies from the nobles was problematic, because they'd obey their lords-but what if their lords were the problem? So, I outright hired people, trained them, and told them that they were an army-a peacekeeping army of Gallia."
"Oh! Something like that, uh...well, I suppose it must be required because Gallia's bigger than Tristain," Pierre mumbled. "Still, what kind of message does it send? To always need an army present-it's as if there can't be peace within Gallia."
"I like to think of it as a way to make the commoners happy," I replied smoothly. "With an army always ready, nobles will think twice as long before levying their troops for anything."
"How is the mad prince's court?" Karin asked next. "Are you...are you fine there?"
"Of course," I answered with a smile and a nod, "I don't participate in court much, I simply accompany Isabella. I prefer to stay in the background, really. I haven't had to threaten anyone at swordwand point -not even once."
"That's good," Karin said with a sigh of relief. "Just...if anything happens, you can count on this place to still be here," Karin said offhandedly, "So don't feel ashamed to come back here every now and then, do you understand?"
"Yes mother," I said with a wide grin, like the cat who just ate the canary.
"Unless it's treason," Karin said. "In that case, you better have a good explanation."
I blinked, and inclined my head to the side. "No execution on sight?"
"What silly nonsense are you spouting," Karin huffed loudly, her arms crossed in front of her chest. "Do you know how much it hurt to birth you? You think I'd go through all that pain just to get rid of you? No, even if you commit a hundred sins, I know your character, Henry, and I know who you are. So...punish you? Without a doubt. Execute you? Are you out of your mind? There is no way I'd do that!" and as she cried that out, I realized she was being absolutely honest.
"Love you, mother," I said with a smile.
There was no place like home.
Truly, there couldn't be a place like home.
My return to the mansion of the Duke of Brittany -my mansion- happened once more under the escort of the knights of the Sudri squadron that had come to fetch me up, but with the addition of Raven flying overhead as a sort of air escort. They had stars in their eyes and seemed to be longing for some form of favor, because with the way they held themselves, it was as if they had received bliss but a few minutes before.
"Your grace..." one of the knights said, "the inspiring new artist, this Ombre de la Nuit, is it possible to have an autograph? To shake his hand? Though the church might be against it, I-and the others, are willing to lay down our morals for just one day to meet and speak with such a great author."
I raised both of my eyebrows. "He is, unfortunately, extremely shy," I said with a known nod. "So you may not meet him. On the other hand, he told me firsthand details of his next new book."
There was pure fan-love in those knights' eyes as I calmly told them what the next big hit of such a writer would be.
The washing of the mud-soaked damsel in distress by the dutiful knight.
The sad thing was that my porn stories -sent to publishers through an anonymous source known as The Father- sold more than my other stories. Truly, it was saddening to see the Mermaid Princess sell so well in stores as a children tale, and yet earn me less than Soaked to the boner, a tale of wet knights and ladies.
Really, people wouldn't know true art if it hit them in the head with masterwork precision!
Ah, the troubles of being a misunderstood artist...
They could cross all manners of barrier of time and space.
My lunch with the family went by swimmingly well. Although Karin ate with decor, she also ate nimbly and quickly -the terrifying munchies beset on her- and there were hints of smiles on her face whenever she heard Louise or Josette speak. It was obvious she was enjoying herself, and her mask was slowly being eroded away.
After lunch, I ended up in father's office with mother by his side. With the servants excused, the door and the windows -and even the walls themselves- under a silencing spell, it was clear that they wanted an extended version of what was going on.
"Henry," Pierre said, "How much trouble did you exactly throw yourself into?"
"Well," I said shyly, "It depends on your definition of trouble, father," I twiddled with my fingers. "We might be hosting the twin sister of the daughter of the Duke D'Orleans, who is thought dead by everyone else, and the daughter that the Archduke of Albion had with his elf mistress-"
There was a brief moment in which the windows rattled, it was a moment that soon passed, "Yes, that much was clear," Karin said with a voice that brokered no argument. "It is the reason why you are doing this that still eludes me."
"Because...I did not want to leave them where they were?" I hazarded. "I mean-Josette was in a monastery, when she deserved much more, and Tiffania was running for her life together with Mathilda from the Albion forces, so...I decided I could give them better-"
"Noble of you," Pierre said, "But...Henry, you understand this doesn't look that way. I-I understand that Gallia's politics can be quite cutthroat at the present, and such a move to eliminate a rival-it's understandable, but if it's discovered-you might as well lose your head," he cringed. "The Duke D'Orleans might feel offended by this, ask for a duel to the death-he's a powerful rival, Henry. Your best choice would be to feign a retrieval of sorts. Or have someone else do it and-"
"They'd kill her," I said softly. "For real this time," I grimaced. "There were plans being prepared for her death if I did actually find her alive," I acquiesced. "So, at the very least until Joseph becomes king-she needs to be kept safe."
"And afterwards?" Pierre asked.
"Afterwards...if she wants to return home to her real family, then I just think it's best to let her go," I said honestly. "My plan wasn't to acquire a political hostage, though it works that way too. I just-"
"I am thankful you have decided to wisely leave everything concerning politics to your wife, Henry," Karin said with a dreadful sigh, rubbing her temples. "Hearing your words-I am on one side proud of having such a kind son, and on the other terrified of what that kindness will mean for your future."
"I like going to sleep with my conscience clear," I said with a small smile.
"With that said," Pierre sighed, "What is this about a Petite Armée? Most of the nobles in Tristain are worried it's the start of a new series of war, but with you at the lead of it, if you can say what it's about then I can perhaps pacify them."
"Ah, it's mostly peacekeeping," I answered nimbly, "There are a lot of tensions between the nobles of the country of Gallia-many are unlanded, and those who are try their hardest to keep their lands, or prevent losing them. Some of them abuse their power, others their commoners-it's a tangled mess, so...when the king made me a Marshal, I thought to myself that levying armies from the nobles was problematic, because they'd obey their lords-but what if their lords were the problem? So, I outright hired people, trained them, and told them that they were an army-a peacekeeping army of Gallia."
"Oh! Something like that, uh...well, I suppose it must be required because Gallia's bigger than Tristain," Pierre mumbled. "Still, what kind of message does it send? To always need an army present-it's as if there can't be peace within Gallia."
"I like to think of it as a way to make the commoners happy," I replied smoothly. "With an army always ready, nobles will think twice as long before levying their troops for anything."
"How is the mad prince's court?" Karin asked next. "Are you...are you fine there?"
"Of course," I answered with a smile and a nod, "I don't participate in court much, I simply accompany Isabella. I prefer to stay in the background, really. I haven't had to threaten anyone at swordwand point -not even once."
"That's good," Karin said with a sigh of relief. "Just...if anything happens, you can count on this place to still be here," Karin said offhandedly, "So don't feel ashamed to come back here every now and then, do you understand?"
"Yes mother," I said with a wide grin, like the cat who just ate the canary.
"Unless it's treason," Karin said. "In that case, you better have a good explanation."
I blinked, and inclined my head to the side. "No execution on sight?"
"What silly nonsense are you spouting," Karin huffed loudly, her arms crossed in front of her chest. "Do you know how much it hurt to birth you? You think I'd go through all that pain just to get rid of you? No, even if you commit a hundred sins, I know your character, Henry, and I know who you are. So...punish you? Without a doubt. Execute you? Are you out of your mind? There is no way I'd do that!" and as she cried that out, I realized she was being absolutely honest.
"Love you, mother," I said with a smile.
There was no place like home.
Truly, there couldn't be a place like home.
My return to the mansion of the Duke of Brittany -my mansion- happened once more under the escort of the knights of the Sudri squadron that had come to fetch me up, but with the addition of Raven flying overhead as a sort of air escort. They had stars in their eyes and seemed to be longing for some form of favor, because with the way they held themselves, it was as if they had received bliss but a few minutes before.
"Your grace..." one of the knights said, "the inspiring new artist, this Ombre de la Nuit, is it possible to have an autograph? To shake his hand? Though the church might be against it, I-and the others, are willing to lay down our morals for just one day to meet and speak with such a great author."
I raised both of my eyebrows. "He is, unfortunately, extremely shy," I said with a known nod. "So you may not meet him. On the other hand, he told me firsthand details of his next new book."
There was pure fan-love in those knights' eyes as I calmly told them what the next big hit of such a writer would be.
The washing of the mud-soaked damsel in distress by the dutiful knight.
The sad thing was that my porn stories -sent to publishers through an anonymous source known as The Father- sold more than my other stories. Truly, it was saddening to see the Mermaid Princess sell so well in stores as a children tale, and yet earn me less than Soaked to the boner, a tale of wet knights and ladies.
Really, people wouldn't know true art if it hit them in the head with masterwork precision!
Ah, the troubles of being a misunderstood artist...
They could cross all manners of barrier of time and space.
With less research and beatings.
- Location
- Earth
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Yay!
*finishes reading*
Awww
*finishes reading*
Awww
floppy_seal99
D-O-G-A-R-S DOGARS!
- Location
- snooping as usual
Oh...oh my, Shade. That's LEWD!
200% Lewd!
Oh and by the way can I sig this?
Last edited:
...Not gonna lie, that sounds like something that belongs in the odder corners of QQ.
- Location
- Lynn, MA
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
Whoops, thanks for catching that.