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[xqueen-asheliax.livejournal.com]

Who: Snow, Ashe and Rasler
What: Snow meets the ex
Where: Rabanastre
When: Morning
Rating: PG


Snow smiled, and stood dressed in simple, if elegant clothing, on a grand balcony, beside and just behind Ashelia. He wore a simple button down shirt of light silk, loose in the arms and tight over his chest and belly, silver embroidery marching up his shoulders, and down his back. His belt was finely tooled leather, holding up similarly light breeches, casual desert-wear for royalty. Or soon to be royalty. He didn't even have a bandanna on, though he had still neglected to shave past stubble. "I feel ridiculous.." he muttered through the side of his mouth to anyone who would listen. Being paraded out like this?

Ashelia gave a soft laugh, smiling to him. "Get used to it. Such is the woe of royalty," she teased. The Queen wore a white strapless dress that tucked neatly beneath her breasts and free-flowed downwards. Fastened with a light silver corset that held gems galore, it showed off her slim waist and shapely curves. The woman's hair was accessorised with a small crown, something she wore only on important occasions. She wore no shoes, as no one could see her feet and, most notibly, she had a necklace on but it didn't hold wedding rings. "We only have to announce it then enjoy the rest of our day."

Snow stepped forward when Ashe spoke, and smiled softly, "I believe I could get used to it, having to look forward to waking up beside you in the mornings, and sharing our days." he smiled fondly at her, and reached to take her hand, not really minding little breaches of protocol. He had noticed the lack of her old rings, and while he hadn't begrudged her wearing them, he did like being her only ring.

Finally stepping to the edge of the balcony, Ashe looked out on the people crowded in Rabanastre's streets. When speeches about joyous occasions were made, they were done on this balcony. When it was bad, they gathered everyone in the assembly courtyard and the monarch would speak from a podium. Vayne, when in power, had done it wrong. Taking a deep breath, she looked at the speaking-device set up in front of her. "People of Dalmasca; we have seen much in our years, we have faced a lot... the wars, the plagues, the loss of our families and our friends... the loss of my mother, my father, all eight of my brothers and... of Lord Rasler..."

The blonde merely waited, holding her hand and watching the crowd. If nothing else, Snow respected and admired these people in the same way he did the adoptive Al Bhed he had been with. They were resourceful, tough, and able to handle a rough life while expecting little in return for their loyalty to this strong woman they called Queen. Certainly, they could be overzealous, like any people. Snow squeezed her hand for support, smiling blithely.

Squeezing Snow's hand in return, she smiled. "Indeed we have seen dark days, but today, my children, I bring joyous news." The Queen flushed brightly, giving a soft laugh and averting her gaze for the moment, before looking to the crowd again. "Dalmasca's future is bright. In the light of this new day, I bring you Dalmasca's father. Snow Villiers. A man born of a distant land, with the strength and courage of ten men and the heart of an angel. With this, I hereby announce my engagement to wed Sir Snow Villiers."

The crowd was speechless for a moment, then a high cheer rose from the children of Lowtown, directly touched by Snow's warmth, then the rest of the uncertain crowd followed, actually remembering a time that the Queen never bothered to smile, because she didn't want to. She smiled a lot now, from what they'd seen.

Ashe gave a relieved sigh, grinning at Snow. "Anything you'd like to say?" She wouldn't force him to make a speech, she was content in just letting him bask in the warmth of her people. She spotted a certain few orphans who'd accompanied her on her journey heading the screaming crowd and laughed softly, smiling brightly. She couldn't have been happier at that moment.

Exhausted and beaten down, but striving to retain his strength and keep his people strong in his stead, Lord Rasler himself strode in from the Estersands. Wearing but a silk shirt, linen pants, no shoes and carrying a rusted sword, he headed a group of two or three hundred Nabradians, all of whom were once dead and undead. It could've seemed like a military ambush had they all been in armour, but less than even a quarter were soldiers. Most were civillians.

Snow nodded softly, and changed places with Ashe, leaning over the podium and clearing his throat, "Er.. it might not be what you're used to hearing, my type of speech.. but I wanted to say that I.." he blanched, swallowing hard and taking a breath, "I will do my very best to do right by Ashelia, and everything in my power to make her happy will be done. That is only one of my duties, I know, but as any husband knows, it is one of his most important." he had some good values.

Her grin was broad and Ashe stood at Snow's side, looking at the crowd with a warmth in her eyes she rarely showed. The audience seemed to adore Snow for how they could connect with him. He was a normal man, just like any of them. There wasn't royal blood acting as a barrier between them as there was with Ashe, through no fault of her own.

Rasler led them towards an enormous assembly of people, frowning slightly as they blended with the Dalmasca's, if perhaps fractionally paler in skin-tone, for being undead four years. Yet, Rasler held the same tan and the same boyish looks he'd always had. His people muttered and mumbled about a man on a balcony and Rasler's heart leapt to his throat at the sight of Ashelia looking so happy... with a complete damn stranger!

Snow, on the other hand, was quick to notice the differences in attire, complexion, and the way they moved. "Ashe. Who are those people?" he pointed, probably rudely, but with so much trouble recently, he was unwilling to put her.. their people in any more danger. His icy eyes glared down at the assembly, singling out the Nabradians.

The Queen leaned forward, gasping slightly. "N... Nabradians?!" It was easy to recognise them. Most of them were very fair haired, blondes, red-heads and the occasional slight brunette. Gathering herself, she stepped in to end the announcement. "I... I thank you all. Any further announcements will follow shortly." Her words were swift and the crowd looked suddenly concerned by the Queen's drop in spirit. Ashe turned swiftly, slipping on the nearest pair of shoes, some boots nearby, as she was known to leave shoes around to keep her maids from getting angry at her bare feet. The woman was intent on finding out what was happening.

Rasler's eyes narrowed and he ordered his people to find whatever shelter they could. Disarming himself, he made a run towards the palace, slipping past the guards as they busied themselves with the sudden influx of Nabradians that were supposed dead. The royal slid past men and hid in the shadows, making for the inside of the palace.

Snow turned and left with Ashe, unwilling to let her go on her own into a throng of whatever the hell Nabradians were. All he knew about Nabradia is that it had been wiped out, and it's people killed and zombified. He was understandably concerned. "Ashe, wait up." he jogged along after her, until he caught up, walking quickly with her.

Ashe removed her crown as she walked, handing it to a maid as she passed. "I do not understand. There are no more than one hundred remaining Nabradians throughout Ivalice, all of whom ally with their chosen ruler. There should not be three hundred or more walking the streets of my city," she spoke only to Snow, her voice low and hurried. Almost as hurried as her pace as she held her dress from her feet.

The Nabradian ruler slipped into the palace mostly undetected, save for a white Chocobo, Ashe's mount, that gave him a wicked glare. As he headed inside, he walked through the main hall, trying to recall where everything was. Soon enough, however, he'd spotted Ashelia and her foreign man, walking hurriedly towards them.

Snow stopped Ashe with a hand on her arm, pulling her back beside him, at the very least. He nodded, "There's one of them, now." he hadn't ever seen a portait of Rasler, so had no idea what the man looked like, he just knew he was some kind of weird revivified zombie dude who had managed to infiltrate the palace. "Any idea who it is?"

Ashe's eyes widened and she gasped sharply, slipping under Snow's arm to run towards the man. He was dead! How could he be stood there, living, breathing, looking very distressed and weakened? Unable to resist, the Queen raised her hand, slapping him hard the instant he was in range. Enough to leave a spiteful mark. You had to hand it to her; the girl had a good arm.

As he was slapped, Rasler felt his jaw click and his face sting, but even that didn't stop him. "Ashelia, please, listen to me," he demanded, his tone desperate but somewhat hinting at the familiarity between the two of them. "I cannot explain this, for I do not know... and who in Galtea's name is he?" He pointed indignantly at Snow, returning the man's gesture from earlier.

Snow advanced on Rasler and Ashe, frowning in what was likely an intimidating manner, his glare piercing, "Exactly what I was about to ask. What man has the right to infiltrate the Queen's palace in Rabanastre?" indeed, he had mock-infiltrated it when he'd 'kidnapped' her, and had nearly been hung for it. He felt very protective of Ashe, and a sharp snapping as his knuckles popped betrayed a large, balled fist at his side.

Rasler spoke before Ashe could, crossing his arms over his chest. He wasn't considerably taller than the Queen, but he held his own intimidating nature, if somewhat childlike in his approach. He may have been twenty two now, but he was still in the mentality of an eighteen year old. "I am her husband, if you must know. Now, kindly explain yourself, Sir."

Ashelia covered her eyes with a groan. This was just not happening. The very day she announces her engagement to Snow her late husband comes back from the dead to reclaim her? How was that even fair in the grand scale of things? "You are not my husband. You know well that the day you died, a part of my own self died with you. Do not dare resurrect that, along with yourself."

Snow lifted his fist, snugging it under Rasler's chin, unafraid to be physical in his intimidation. With a near-sneer, he lifted the man's chin roughly with his knuckles, flattened from years of -punching- things. "I am Snow Villiers, betrothed of th'Queen here, ace Blitzer, and the one who's gonna topple a Holy Government." he leaned in close, "I do not trust you, even if you are Rasler. The dead do not simply return to life."

The man removed his chin from it's new podium on Snow's hand, taking a single step back. "I... see." He swallowed thickly, his attitude slipping. He wasn't exactly the meanest or toughest of men. "Ashelia, I would explain this if I could, yet I do not understand why I am here. Perhaps it is because Nabradia deserves life once again, but I would ask nothing of you but shelter for my people. I cannot expect them to return to Nabudis..."

The Queen sighed heavily. She was on the verge of tears and the brink of being sick. This was simply all too much! "Have your people find shelter in my city where they can. Dalmasca will not turn away those in need." Her voice was strained and she looked at Snow, swallowing heavily. "Rasler, I... I have moved on. You have been dead for four years... I..."

Snow dropped his mean demeanor when Rasler stopped trying to intimidate him, and sighed softly, "All of the people of Nabradia came back from the dead?" if that were true.. "Yes, Ashe has a good plan.." he tapped his chin, thinking.. "I will call on my friends Lightning and Zack.. they went to Nabudis while it was still populated by the Undead. Perhaps they know something about your revivification."

The young man ran his fingers through his filthy blonde hair, sighing slightly. "I understand, Ashelia. You have grown and moved on. You have found your new happiness. I wish you a happy marriage." Looking at Snow, he frowned, shaking his head slightly. "Not all. Nabudis house around five thousand people. We are but down to three hundred and eleven, including myself. There were three hundred and fifteen of us, but... a newborn, a young woman, an elderly gentleman and his wife were subject to fiends on our journey here..."

Ashe tucked her hair behind her ear, looking between Snow and Rasler. "Perhaps they will be able to discover something, if they have not the answers already." She shifted awkwardly, wondering just what else could be said. "Snow, may I speak privately with you, for a moment, please?" Without his answer, she headed to a small storeroom, dragging him with her.

Snow had been about to answer Rasler, when he was dragged off by Ashe. She was strong, for such a small woman. When he was in the storeroom with her, he blinked and opened his mouth to object, then closed it, thinking that maybe he hadn't overreacted..

Ashe gave a heavy sigh and rested her forehead on his chest, closing her eyes. "I do not doubt how dreadful this will sound but... would you be angered if I were to allow him to stay here?" She spoke softly, sounding very distraught. She could've easily just let herself break down crying against him but she wasn't going to. She had to be strong.

Meanwhile, Rasler gave a heavy sigh, resigning himself to sitting on one of the decorative sofas that littered the palace. Damn it all, he didn't care if he stained up with the grime on him from his trip South. He'd just had to hand his wife, well ex-wife, over to another man. It was needless to say that he felt awful.

Snow held her and smiled softly, "It does not sound awful. Actually.. this might be something of a boon." his mind was keen about this sort of thing sometimes, "Dalmasca needs allies. Even if you cannot be his wife, because make no mistake," and his voice was stern, "You are to be my wife. But even without that, you can be his friend, and Dalmasca can be Nabradia's ally. Zack and Lightning constantly raid Cocoon's supplies, and I am sure such advances in medicine and warfare would be attractive to him, and can be made available, should Nabradia agree to be first, and foremost, Dalmasca's ally." he kissed her forehead, and smiled softly, "I may not have handled that meeting with the grace of your father, or yourself.. I am no King by blood.. but I will try my best to be a good King for you.. Allow him and his people to stay, and I will ask the Binah to dock here when they can."

Ashelia gave a soft laugh at the sterness he determined that she'd be his wife. It was that strength that drew her to him, like a flower to the sun. "Thank you, Snow. Indeed, Nabradia would be a welcomed ally, as she was before she fell. Yet, with what state shy currently lies in, I would expect it to be quite some time before Nabudis is risen." Shaking her head slightly, she smiled up at him softly. "I would ask a favour of you, as it is something I cannot do. Would you ensure he is bathed and clothed? I believe there are some of my elder brother's things in the room on the ninth floor..."

"Indeed. It will give me some time to get to know him without you there.. No offense, but I think you may make him tense for a good while. Understandable, really, if a little unfair to you. I will also ensure he gets a meal into him, and a stiff drink." he bent and kissed her gently, hugging her tightly, "Why don't you go meet those kids outside? They really love their mother." he pinched her waist, then moved back out of the room, nodding to Rasler, "Hey, sorry we got off on the wrong foot. I get this must be pretty damn hard. C'mon, I'll getcha cleaned up and dressed."

The Queen smiled and nodded, following Snow out of the storeroom. "Lord Rasler... we shall speak soon. I have much to say to you." It was almost as bad as those words 'we need to talk' but she gave him a fragile smile and looked to Snow before heading outside of the palace, making her way deep into the streets to speak with her people, instantly joined by her guards.

The young blonde stood, watching Ashelia walk away before returning his gaze to the much larger Hume. "Indeed it is..." he murmured in a soft voice. "My apologies for being so brash. I was married to Ashelia for only a month but I became understanably fond of her." He wouldn't admit it was love. That'd simply hurt too much. He was a man, so obviously he had his pride to consider. "A bath and a new set of clothing does sound rather appealing right now..."

"Of course, I understand what you mean. Ashelia is.. a remarkable woman." he put an arm around Rasler's shoulders, almost as if the two were buddies, and led him towards one of Ashe's brothers' rooms. "Should be some stuff in here t'change into, and clean water ain't hard to get. Why don't you get ready'n I'll come back with some washwater?" he patted Rasler's back squarely, and headed off after giving the man a push into the room, and closing the door behind him.

Rasler blinked as he was pushed into the room, staggering forward a few steps. He turned and the door was shut. "Well..." Frowning slightly, he rubbing the back of his aching neck, looking around the room. This was the second to youngest Dalmascan royal's room. The youngest prince. It looked exactly as it had four years ago... Maybe Ashelia wasn't ready to change anything. Losing her mother when she was little then her father, her husband and eight brothers in the meantime must've been hard. Sighing, Rasler tugged off his filthy shirt, revealing his skin where a faint scar lay where his flesh was pierced by that arrow. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he ran his finger over it, frowning.

Snow came back eventually with a large tub of steaming water, walking into the room unabashedly and setting it down with a little grunt. He was strong, though he didn't often stop to consider it, as many men would have had trouble carrying such a thing, but he was only minorly inconvenienced by it.

Rasler's hazel eyes widened as Snow carted in the water in the tub, his brows raising. "You've certainly merittable strength..." he murmured, standing from the bed and running his fingers through his dirtied pale blonde hair. He -had- noted Snow was blonde. Ashe always said she had a thing for blondes.

The man blinked, then shrugged softly, "Guess it comes with being this tall, heh." he smiled faintly, though, not unaware that he was essentially usurping Rasler. He wondered if he should tell the young man just how.. bothered Ashe had been when he had met her, still pining over the lost young husband she had had. Then he realized he was just standing there, so he shrugged again, "Is there anything else you need?"

Noting that there was already soap, he shook his head. "This is fine, thank you." It was strange. He had expected to hate this man, merely because Ashe was with him now, but he didn't. He held a little bitterness, mostly because it added insult to injury what with his kingdom in ruins. "Perhaps you could ask the servants to make me something to eat? I have not eaten properly for... a while." Well, if he counted two years dead, he hadn't eaten properly since his last meal with Ashelia before he left for war.

"Already taken care of." he smiled softly, and stretched, his shoulders popping a few times before he finished. "They will bring it up in an hour or two." the blonde then nodded to Rasler, and turned to leave, pausing at the door and glancing back, pausing for an instant before he decided just to leave.