[For as long as history was written, and even before then, humans had been under the thumb of fantasy. Whether it was fae stealing human children, merfolk sinking their ships, or dragons straight-up taking their lives: Humans had lived in a world where they feared the supernatural.
That was true, at least, until the most recent era. While their fears were still fresh and well-founded, something had been cutting the fantasy population. Whether it was disease or a mere inability to adapt, no one was quite sure. But now, at least in this one country, the 'royal family' of dragons had become one. Only their young prince remained, watched over by a religious order. And he was finally matured enough to take a life partner.
The corresponding ritual was a big event. Once, dragons of a certain age would kidnap their desired partner from the nearest village. Now, the nearby humans all offered up one member of their family as a possible partner. For a dragon prince, this meant that all members of nobility would offer a member of their family. It was a huge party to celebrate peace, harmony, and the political potential of magic. Everyone wore masks to disguise their rank and identity, mingled until midnight, and then watched as one suiter was selected. They were rarely seen again, leaving only political ties to strengthen their family while they themselves suffered an unknown fate.
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Yuuto was among those at the party. He was supposed to stay on the royal family's balcony and watch the party quietly. At midnight, when he officially became an adult, he would know which person was his soulmate. Until that moment, he was supposed to be waiting quietly. But when he realized the masquerade masks were enchanted to hide one's identity fully, he knew that he needed one. It would otherwise be impossible to ever hide his draconic attributes and mingle normally with humans.
After snatching a mask, Yuuto snuck down from the balcony and into the crowd. Awed, excited... and clumsy. Someone stepped on his invisible tail, causing him to gasp quietly and stumble into a nearby stranger.]
[ Inaba Himeko is the princess of a large kingdom by the coast; known far and wide for its famous ports and trade with those across the sea. The current king of the land was renowned for favoring the villagers to the point where he obtained the rather apt title: "King of the People".
When the time was right for the ritual, he immediately declared to the townsfolk that this year would be no different from previous years - droning on that although he did not want to sacrifice any of his children, he wanted to protect the people, and plainly volunteered his youngest daughter as an offering.
While Himeko was quite disgruntled at the idea, it wasn't as if she could argue against her own father. And perhaps if she were lucky enough, she could get away scot free and live the rest of her days peacefully until she were to be wed off to some other human prince. She was just simply a bird trapped in a cage, only able to be let free at the demands of others. And even so, it was not a true freedom that she would be given.
In the end, it was just another day ending in y.
She had been trying to slip out of the crowd for a short breather before the announcement, but was soon bumped into yet another person. It's then that she puts on the proverbial mask of common courtesy, things drilled into her from years of schooling as she takes a step back. ]
There is no need to apologize, the fault belongs to me; I should have been paying much closer attention.
You shouldn’t be expected to dodge people at a party, so really… [He looks behind him to make sure that his invisible tail isn’t in danger, then wills it to cool around his ankle. Confident that it won’t be stepped on again, he returns his focus to Inaba.] There are so many people here, huh..? I didn’t realize that there were so many noble families. The crowd is kind of intimidating.
Plenty of times. Whenever my father or my two older brothers would hold a ceremony or any sort of party, it would get quite busy. Many people from neighboring kingdoms would arrive, some of them would even make an attempt to ask my hand in marriage.
Hauu? And you turned them down?? How come? [Even with his mask, Yuuto looks very curious with the way he focuses on her and leans towards her.] Marriage sounds so stressful. I don’t think that I’ll ever be ready for it.
[He almost asks what’s wrong, but then he remember… Right. It’s him. He’s the problem here. The people at this party are either being offered as his soulmate or are offering their children for the role.
Yuuto keeps his smile, even if he’s feeling badly.]
It’ll just be one person, right? Maybe it won’t be you..? And then you can go off and find a better person to marry. It’ll be okay?
Yeah. And sure, the odds of me getting chosen are low, but I'm not exactly the most optimistic person.
[ There's a bit of a wistful smile that plays across her features as she says those words. It's more honest than she'd like, but it's not as if anyone will know that it's her. ]
It seems like a lot of people here don’t want to be chosen, huh! I wonder if that’s normal. This is my first time being old enough to be presented to society, so I’m not used to these kinds of things.
I don't think many people want to be chosen for this in particular; after all, you're not dealing with a human, but a dragon- it's different. Nobody knows what will happen between a dragon and a human conjoining.
Ah, yeah... I guess that's true, huh? Dragons aren't welcome in human society. They live far away for a reason. Whoever gets chosen would be really unlucky, huh..?
They would. After all, they don't know what would happen to them; we still don't know very much about dragons, as a society. There have been many rumors about the possibility that this "soulmate" thing is just really... human sacrifice to the dragon, to appease them.
Oh..? [He’s not entirely surprised to hear this. Yuuto knows that humans fear and dislike dragons, largely because they would historically kidnap humans from nearby villages. Without the mask, his draconic features would be highly visible. It’s unsafe for him to leave his castle. Most of the dragons who have tried to live closer to humans end up killed.
He knows that the reason for this organized party- this sacrifice of children on the part of nearby families,- is to prevent him from being compelled to kidnap a soulmate.
Even so, knowing that she’s right to hate him… Yuuto’s hands gather by his chest.]
I’m sure… They wouldn’t use a word like “soulmate” for something bad, right? Maybe it’s romantic..? It makes your heart glow when you’re chosen, right?
[ Inaba shrugs her shoulders as her gaze lifts towards the ceiling. ]
There have been rumors that the heart glows not for romantic reasons, but so that the dragon can easily find the "perfect prey" and that's the real meaning of "soulmate". To have your soul sacrificed and devoured by the dragon. Of course... it's just a rumor, so I can't say that's the definite truth. My parents wish that the bond between humans and dragons would become a peaceful, beneficial one than not. But they are aware of what could possibly happen.
[He feels sick. His first party is suddenly a lot less exciting when he realizes that the people here are treating it like a funeral. Even though it was always stressed to him that humans didn't like him, Yuuto hadn't known how bad it was.
The party is pretty suffocating now. Yuuto breaths in deeply to calm himself down as he looks for an exit.]
U-Um... Well. At the very least... I'm pretty sure that no one will be picked tonight. So there's nothing to worry about.
While it'd be a relief if nobody is chosen tonight, I don't think many people would be happy about it. After all, almost all the kingdoms have brought their children to offer, after all; most of them royalty. If none of the royal lines fit, then... the commonsfolk will have to start offering their children as well.
There isn't. But of course, nobody wants to kill the dragon unless the reason rears its ugly head. People think that an interracial marriage can be beneficial, after all. The party is nice, but that's probably because everyone treating it like their final banquet.
[ Inaba sounds confused; after all, banquets were a normal part of royal society, and this particular party was one that she was definitely one of higher standing. ]
Speaking with the others is generally the best way to get the most out of it.
Uh- Well… It’s just a hunch! [He covers awkwardly.
Yuuto understands now that no one is ever going to invite him to another banquet. The idea that he could make friends with humans was naive after all. Even this girl hates him more than she knows. It kind of sucks to think about!
So he won’t. Instead he lets himself brighten at the thought of conversation.]
Oh! I haven’t had a proper conversation with someone in ages… How does it work?
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That was true, at least, until the most recent era. While their fears were still fresh and well-founded, something had been cutting the fantasy population. Whether it was disease or a mere inability to adapt, no one was quite sure. But now, at least in this one country, the 'royal family' of dragons had become one. Only their young prince remained, watched over by a religious order. And he was finally matured enough to take a life partner.
The corresponding ritual was a big event. Once, dragons of a certain age would kidnap their desired partner from the nearest village. Now, the nearby humans all offered up one member of their family as a possible partner. For a dragon prince, this meant that all members of nobility would offer a member of their family. It was a huge party to celebrate peace, harmony, and the political potential of magic. Everyone wore masks to disguise their rank and identity, mingled until midnight, and then watched as one suiter was selected. They were rarely seen again, leaving only political ties to strengthen their family while they themselves suffered an unknown fate.
tl;dr:
Yuuto was among those at the party. He was supposed to stay on the royal family's balcony and watch the party quietly. At midnight, when he officially became an adult, he would know which person was his soulmate. Until that moment, he was supposed to be waiting quietly. But when he realized the masquerade masks were enchanted to hide one's identity fully, he knew that he needed one. It would otherwise be impossible to ever hide his draconic attributes and mingle normally with humans.
After snatching a mask, Yuuto snuck down from the balcony and into the crowd. Awed, excited... and clumsy. Someone stepped on his invisible tail, causing him to gasp quietly and stumble into a nearby stranger.]
Au- Um! S, sorry..! Are you okay??
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When the time was right for the ritual, he immediately declared to the townsfolk that this year would be no different from previous years - droning on that although he did not want to sacrifice any of his children, he wanted to protect the people, and plainly volunteered his youngest daughter as an offering.
While Himeko was quite disgruntled at the idea, it wasn't as if she could argue against her own father. And perhaps if she were lucky enough, she could get away scot free and live the rest of her days peacefully until she were to be wed off to some other human prince. She was just simply a bird trapped in a cage, only able to be let free at the demands of others. And even so, it was not a true freedom that she would be given.
In the end, it was just another day ending in y.
She had been trying to slip out of the crowd for a short breather before the announcement, but was soon bumped into yet another person. It's then that she puts on the proverbial mask of common courtesy, things drilled into her from years of schooling as she takes a step back. ]
There is no need to apologize, the fault belongs to me; I should have been paying much closer attention.
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[ Maybe it's because of the mask, but she sounds like she's already exhausted. ]
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[ She shrugs her shoulders. ]
Although I might not have much choice now.
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Yuuto keeps his smile, even if he’s feeling badly.]
It’ll just be one person, right? Maybe it won’t be you..? And then you can go off and find a better person to marry. It’ll be okay?
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[ There's a bit of a wistful smile that plays across her features as she says those words. It's more honest than she'd like, but it's not as if anyone will know that it's her. ]
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Ah, yeah... I guess that's true, huh? Dragons aren't welcome in human society. They live far away for a reason. Whoever gets chosen would be really unlucky, huh..?
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He knows that the reason for this organized party- this sacrifice of children on the part of nearby families,- is to prevent him from being compelled to kidnap a soulmate.
Even so, knowing that she’s right to hate him… Yuuto’s hands gather by his chest.]
I’m sure… They wouldn’t use a word like “soulmate” for something bad, right? Maybe it’s romantic..? It makes your heart glow when you’re chosen, right?
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[ Inaba shrugs her shoulders as her gaze lifts towards the ceiling. ]
There have been rumors that the heart glows not for romantic reasons, but so that the dragon can easily find the "perfect prey" and that's the real meaning of "soulmate". To have your soul sacrificed and devoured by the dragon. Of course... it's just a rumor, so I can't say that's the definite truth. My parents wish that the bond between humans and dragons would become a peaceful, beneficial one than not. But they are aware of what could possibly happen.
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[He feels sick. His first party is suddenly a lot less exciting when he realizes that the people here are treating it like a funeral. Even though it was always stressed to him that humans didn't like him, Yuuto hadn't known how bad it was.
The party is pretty suffocating now. Yuuto breaths in deeply to calm himself down as he looks for an exit.]
U-Um... Well. At the very least... I'm pretty sure that no one will be picked tonight. So there's nothing to worry about.
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Yuuto sighs and lowers his hands from his chest.]
Unless someone killed the dragon… Ah, but! Umm… I guess… A-At least the party is nice? The food looks good…
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It will be my first and last banquet… What would you suggest that I do to get the most of it? Food aside..?
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[ Inaba sounds confused; after all, banquets were a normal part of royal society, and this particular party was one that she was definitely one of higher standing. ]
Speaking with the others is generally the best way to get the most out of it.
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Yuuto understands now that no one is ever going to invite him to another banquet. The idea that he could make friends with humans was naive after all. Even this girl hates him more than she knows. It kind of sucks to think about!
So he won’t. Instead he lets himself brighten at the thought of conversation.]
Oh! I haven’t had a proper conversation with someone in ages… How does it work?
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