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Pailei

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My first and best muse, the former Princess of Carpithia, once-Queen of Jumii, current Queen of the Dark Court, wife of Bryar NicBurr and mother of Jinnian, Esepheron, Alice, and Lhiannan.
A.K.A The determined little fire witch who would grow up to save Altia from many of its greatest threats. (Though not without making her fair share of mistakes.)
If you look closely, you'll note her wrinkles (crow's feet), as my muse may be lovely, but she is fully human, and thus, not immortal. Also, she has a bump to her nose, as it's been broken (more than once).
Her armlet and earring were inspired by Stephen Webster's jewelry collection.
I spent a lot more time on this one, as she is the muse whose name I ran off with. And, as promised, here are tidbits of her story, some of her best lines, which explain who she is, what she stands for, and even how she got the nickname "Kitten..." :XD:

* * *

Thugs: “Hey, Kitten. Come play with us.”
Pailei: “Sorry, you’re not my type.”
Thugs: “But you’re ours.”
Pailei: “Get lost.”
Thugs: “Come here, Kitten.”
Pailei: (draws her daggers) “A word of advice, gentleman. And I use that term most loosely. Even kittens have claws.”
Thugs: “You better know how to use those, little girl.”
Pailei: (smiles) “Why don’t you come closer and I’ll show you…”

* * *

Young Jinn: “Those men are going to hurt that merchant family, aren’t they?”
Pailei: “Not if I can help it.”
Jinn: “But there’s seven of them…”
Pailei: “Yes, Jinn.”
Jinn: “And there’s only two of us!”
Pailei: (drawing a line in the dirt) “One, sweet. You are not to cross this line. Promise me.”
Jinn: “Mom, you can’t—“
Pailei: “Promise me, Jinnian.”
Jinn: “I promise. But—but you can’t… Seven… Mom, if you failed mathematics, now would be a good time to tell me.”
Pailei: “Don’t be silly, sweet. I never took mathematics.”
Jinn: “Mother!”
Pailei: “You must stand up for what’s right, Jinnian. Even if you stand alone.”

* * *

Foreign Ambassador: “Shar Ta’al is a den of hoydens and thieves!”
Pailei: “I’m sorry you feel that way. But I must say that in my own experience, I have never known a people as spirited, passionate, clever, carefree, and as loyal as the Fae are.”
Foreign Ambassador: “They are a pack of uneducated barbarians! And it’s no wonder the city remains dark. Evil breeds in shadows.”
Bryar: “Evil exists in every race across Altia. But my people are not the uneducated ones, Ambassador.”
Pailei: “And our subjects are the light of this city. I am sorry you lack the perception to see the truth.”
Foreign Ambassador: “This black city is run by miscreants! And you are no lady, to defend such!”
Bryar: “I suggest you watch your words.”
Pailei: “You’re beginning to offend, Ambassador.”
Foreign Ambassador: “I will not be told to hold my tongue by some impertinent delinquent—”
Pailei: “With a crown, I might add.”
Foreign Ambassador: “Gained by lying on your back!”
(Silence. Young Seph draws back to swing at the Ambassador, but Bryar lays a heavy hand on his shoulder.)
Bryar: (whispers) “No. Your mother hits harder.”

* * *

“The greatest danger in fighting monsters isn’t death. It’s becoming one of them.”

* * *

Larken: “You cannot win.”
Pailei: “You’ve underestimated me before.”
Larken: “True. One of us is certainly going to die today. I don’t disagree with that. I’m merely pointing out that it won’t be me.”
Pailei: “I don’t care.”
Larken: “Not fearing death is certainly an admirable trait. Luckily I don’t have to worry about such things, as my own demise is not imminent. However, I must ask, why the sudden intensity? You’ve been content to simply spar with me before, yet now you have a death wish?”
Pailei: “I meant that I don’t care about your idle opinions, as they are usually wrong. Though it is true that I’m not afraid to die. If I must, then I will. But I’ll take you down with me, Larken.”
Larken: “And leave your precious children motherless? The poor dears.”
Pailei: “I would rather see them orphaned than live to see them grow up in a world where you hold influence.”
Larken: “Really, darling, must you always choose heroics? It’s boring. And you’ll wind up dead. Though they will sing some spectacular songs about you. There would have been better songs had you joined me, however… Ah, I believe this is the part where you insert some passionate bravado, such as, ‘Not on my last breath,’ or some such. Predictable drivel.”
Pailei: “Actually, I was just contemplating cutting out your tongue, to spare us both your endless chatter.”
Larken: “My tongue has better uses, you know… And I must say, you are as sharp as you are lovely.”
Pailei: “Drooling over women young enough to be your granddaughters, you mean? And so are my daggers.”
Larken: “The ones with the ridiculous names? And give me some credit, Princess. I’m not that old.”
Pailei: “My apologies, you merely look it. And I won’t need Sugar and Spice to kill you. This will be a battle of magecraft.”
Larken: “Then you’ve already lost, as I said.”
Pailei: “Don’t you understand? Death could be guaranteed, and I would still fight.”
Larken: “Bravery is a useless thing, if you don’t use it to your own benefit. You know, I’ve grown fond of you over the years, darling. Possibly because I’ve never considered you to be foolish. Until now.”
Pailei: “I may be foolish, but I am a most determined fool. And you’d be amazed at what sheer stubbornness can accomplish. In fact, why don’t I demonstrate?”
Larken: “Such a sorry state we’ve come to. If you insist. I do believe I might actually miss you, darling.”
Pailei: “And if I didn’t know you to be a heartless liar, I might actually be touched.”
Larken: “Then let’s play, shall we? A game to end all games. And when the day is done, all of Altia will know who its greatest player is…”

* * *

“Forgiveness is difficult, but hatred devours. Waste your life despising the past and the people who hurt you, and they win. You are more than the past and the pain. Choose to be more than hatred, too.”

* * *

Aria: “How do you decide who to save? Who deserves redemption?”
Pailei: “It’s very simple. I reach out my hand. Those that take it have my solemn promise that from that moment on, we walk together.”
Diesre: “It seems like the perfect opportunity for betrayal.”
Pailei: “Everyone deserves a second chance.”
Aria: “And those who don’t? The ones who laugh at the chances you’re offering?”
Pailei: “They aren’t ready yet. They might not ever be. I know I can’t save everyone. But I know I have to try.”

* * *

Cameran: “My favorite story? Oh, there’s bunches. But the best… I guess… Would have to be the time Pailei had some pretty quick explaining to do… See, there was a court hearing, with a lot of important people attending, and Pailei and Bryar sitting pretty on their thrones.”
Bryar: “I object. I have never sat ‘pretty.’”
Cameran: “Hush. Fine. Pailei was sitting pretty and Bryar was sitting with a stick up his—ah, I mean, in a very dignified yet ruggedly handsome way. And Eli was standing on the dais next to Pailei—you know, his usual spot as First Knight. And I was nearby on the main floor. And I kind of got bored listening to all those stupid speeches…you know, politics and all. So I thought I could spice things up a bit.”
Eli: “What she means is that she fully intended to torment and embarrass me.”
Cameran: “Oh hush! I’m telling the story here. Anyway, I may or may not have pinched Eli—”
Eli: “She very much did.”
Cameran: “However not nearly as hard as he deserved... And anyway, he jumped and squealed like a little girl.”
Eli: “I did no such thing!”
Cameran: “Fine, you just tripped over and toppled headfirst into Pailei’s lap. What, no objections? Quit glaring at me. That’s the truth! And it was the funniest thing ever. The look of surprise on everyone’s faces… And when you straightened, I swear you were blushing.”
Eli: “Violets do not blush.”
Cameran: “Whatever you say, my handsome love monkey.”
Bryar: “Love monkey?”
Eli: “I told you not to call me that!”
Cameran: “See! Violets do blush!”
Eli: “Just finish the story.”
Cameran: “I would, if you’d quit interrupting. So everyone was staring, and Pailei had to come up with something…but, it’s Pailei, so you know she always does. So she quickly clears her throat, regains her composure, pretends to scoop something from her lap, and says loudly, so everyone can hear, ‘Ah, here’s my lost earring. My thanks for your aid, Elazuul.’ As if he’d been helping her look for it by taking a face-plant in her lap! Then she pretends to put it back in place. And everyone settles down and goes back to their business. Except I’m over there cracking up. Because, see, the best part was…Pailei wasn’t even wearing any earrings!”

* * *

“Love as if your heart will never break, dearling. Never give up on anyone—especially not yourself. Be kind when you can be, firm when you must be. When you are surrounded by darkness, choose to be the light. And don’t think for a single moment that all of this is meaningless. Because to someone, it means everything. Just as you mean everything to me.”

* * *

:heart:
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© 2011 - 2024 Pailei
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Isyll--8's avatar
very nice work *^*