"Ryo""Bubby" It was a race of emotions that ran through him as he ran away from the chapel. Of all of the possible scenarios that the prince had considered for today, this was not something that had crossed his mind. Clint had confessed to the whole audience about his affair with Altagracia; thankfully, there weren’t too many in the audience, but still, Ryo was shocked that he had such bravery. Or stupidity. Either way, Ryo felt like the largest weight had been lifted off his shoulders, and all he wanted to do was run away from it all.
Where he was running to the prince had no idea, but he wanted it to be fair from his almost nuptials in the hopes no one would follow up with him about the matter. Knowing Utopian politics, there was no way this matter would just fly under the radar, but Ryo was able to dream for the first time in years and wanted to pretend for a moment. Starting to run out of breath, Ryo found a bench to settle for a moment, hopeful his insecure thoughts wouldn’t follow him.
Responsibility had been something he had been the only thing he knew since he was a young teenager. Making mistakes was unheard of for him, being something his brother did instead. All of the nights without sleep, thinking about how to keep his kingdom afloat and family together, could he finally start to loosen his grip for a moment? His brother was fine without him trying to hover around him, and maybe it was time to start listening to him about his mother. She was supposed to be taking care of him after all, not the other way around.
Taking a deep breath, Ryo felt a tear start to fall from his face as he thought about freedom for the first time. Being able to fall in love for the first time without fear of betraying his vows was something he never thought he would be allowed to do. He couldn’t hold back the feelings of excitement and happiness anymore. Wiping the single tear away and replacing it with a smile as he sat alone on the bench, basking in the beauty of the nature around him.
OOC: Hope this enough to get Phina to follow him. smile Wearing:x Thoughts: What is this feeling? Location: Bench close but not too close to the chapel. With: No one
Seraphina had been at the chapel, not because she was close to either the bride nor the groom, but due to the politics at Utopia. As a Princess, she felt it was right to accept the invitation, and the chance to network with other royals was always a bonus. She came without a date, but glanced around the room at any hopefuls for a fun evening.
While the only one that drew her attention was a man almost underdressed for the event, and sporting a neck tattoo, she brushed her initial desire to talk to the man to see how he was related to either party as the wedding started. Ryo looked like a death reaper in his outfit, tailored perfectly to fit his form. Seraphina was shocked to see the man put together in such a dramatic outfit. She did think he was cute, albeit taken.
That was until the man with the neck tattoo confessed to the affair when the bride walked down the aisle. Everyone split into different directions as the small crowd of royals sat there in stunned silence. Seraphina wasn't the first to stand; most went for their gifts and afterparty. Seraphina shook her head, moving to leave the chapel. While the crowd flowed one way, Seraphina ducked her head, finding peace in the fresh air outside.
The Princess glanced around, finding she was almost alone, and she wanted to have a moment to think about the future for herself. Maybe one day she would be the one left at the altar after an affair was announced; it was bound to happen in some political marriages. However, she stopped short when she saw the groom sitting on a bench, alone.
Slowly, she approached the man, her head bent low as she sat down next to him, not asking for permission, and leaning her elbows on her knees. "You know, as a Princess I have been to quite a few weddings, but this one has got to be the most interesting." Seraphina slowly brushed her bangs out of her face before turning to Ryo. "I'm Seraphina, by the way, but call me Phina. How are you holding up?"
The part of her that thought of her people and politics would have seen this as an opportunity to learn more about the politics behind the situation. It's not every day a royal engagement goes awry. However, a part of her remembered the heartbreak of betraying Enzo and not speaking to him for four years. That human side of her dominated her being as she looked up from her gloved hands and offered him a smile. "If you don't want to talk, that's fine. You can also tell me to f-off, and I will. I just know what it's like to have your heart broken, and I'm here if you need someone."
Seraphina wasn't used to this emotional side of her that wanted to help the young man before her, but she understood it. So, she was here for as long as he needed.
Talking = #24a23d Native Language = Italics
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2025 4:50 pm
"Ryo""Bubby" The swirling pool of emotions must have left Ryo of his game as he completely failed to notice the woman approaching him. Once she had sat down, Ryo regarded her, recognizing the familiar face. The princess had been in his classes, but the prince also made a note to memorize most of the names and faces of the students at the academy upon their arrival. As a member of the Funkazan royal family, it was hard not to take note of her as she was often surrounded by males of the nation.
It all just led to the question of why she was here next to him. Thankfully, she was quick to answer such a thing. Ryo wasn’t sure if he was grateful for the girl’s spirit, given the circumstances, but figured her heart was coming from one of sympathy. Or pity. Having been left at the altar was either possible. ’ I wonder how quick she would be to leave if I told her I was grateful my ex-fiancée kissed my brother?’ He bit his lip to prevent a bigger smile from spreading as the girl remarked on how “interesting” his wedding was.
" I believe the phrase is something about watching out for the quiet ones, yes?" He offered a softer smile to the maiden, " The Fushiguros are full of surprises, I’m afraid." With a shrug and small chuckle, Ryo wasn’t really sure what else to say. This had been the first real conversation the two of them had ever had, and it wasn’t like he could just start to peel back all the layers of his twisted family dynamic for some stranger.
Her language left a bit to be desired; not used to hearing such vulgarity outside her brother’s quips. But a part of it was endearing as she was clearly attempting to save him. The only issue was that he didn’t need saving. " I appreciate that Lady Phina. I am not a man of many words like my brother, unfortunately, but I am thankful for the offer." He looked at the girl once more, admiring her outfit choice. All black was all too fitting for a Siscian wedding, even more so since it was his death sentence he had been attending before his brother had taken the bullet for Grace and himself.
Emotions weren’t the man’s strong suit, as repressing them had been essential to controlling his powers for such a long time. The times he had lost control at the academy made him fear he might start the next war. After a pause of silence had passed, Ryo found himself grateful for the company. Not wanting to leave. Especially once others started leaving the chapel. This stranger offered fewer questions than those who knew him better. He wasn’t ready to answer their queries yet. Or think about what would happen when his mother heard the news about his failure of a wedding. " If I may be so bold, do you mind staying until the rest of the guests leave? I would rather bury myself alive than have to deal with their pitiful stares today."
OOC: Wearing:x Thoughts: What is this feeling? Location: Bench close but not too close to the chapel. With: Phina
Seraphina chuckled when Ryo mentioned watching out for the quiet ones. It was something she had tried to learn, even though, as a Funkazan, they were usually as quick to ignite in passion as the fire in their blood. However, she liked Ryo's calm demeanor as he spoke; it was soft as if he expected people to lean into him, which she did, trying not to touch him.
An actual laugh escaped her as Ryo mentioned he wasn't a man of many words. Seraphina was sure that she had never heard him speak, even after the months of classes together. "You know, I would have never guessed that you were a man of few words, Lord Ryo. I mean, you are so hard to talk over in class. I can barely get a word in." She laughed at her own sarcasm, knowing if she were closer to the man, she would have bumped his shoulder. Instead, Seraphina shook her head and listened to the rest of what he had to say.
She nodded once when he spoke again. Reaching out a tentative hand, she brushed a piece of hair out of his face with a kind smile. "I'll sit with you as long as you want on one condition." Seraphina smiled and nodded to the puppet beside Ryo. "Will you introduce me to your friend there? I don't believe he and I have ever met."
Seraphina sat up and leaned back into the bench. Her eyes stayed on Ryo and the puppet as she smiled at the man beside her. He was kind, from what she could tell. However, if they were to continue this conversation, she had to break him out of his formality habit. She was raised in a manor far away from court, so she despised when people were overly formal.
Talking = #24a23d Native Language = Italics
Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2025 7:41 am
"Ryo""Bubby" Talking with a stranger wasn’t something that Ryo had imagined himself doing prior to coming to Utopia. Normally, Bubby did most of his talking for him, but with how many strange looks he had gotten for his wooden companion, Ryo had tried not to drag him around as much. That, with the advice of his council, trying to make him more “personable”, Ryo had developed a schedule for bringing his friend to class. Most of the staff were supportive, or at least ignored it, which was all he could ask.
Surprised by her starting to get closer to him, Ryo couldn’t help but summon his friend to his side. It was a fear response for someone unfamiliar getting so close to him. At this point, Bubby coming to his aid was like instinct, a reflex in his abilities. The man was curious if Phina’s abilities were similar. If she ever found herself using her powers without realizing it, but given her being from Funkazan, he secretly hoped that wasn’t the case. The last thing he needed to happen to him today was for him to get burned.
The joke about him being rather quiet had almost blown right past him as he was too focused on how close she was getting. The man provided a small smile, but the idea of what to say had been lost on him. Her offering her hand had been rather unexpected; thankfully, she had provided an opening for Bubby to introduce himself. The wooden man took the girl’s hand and shook it, "Bubby, charmed to meet you, Lady Phina." Just like that, Ryo’s need to fill the space with his own words was no more. Bubby could fill the void for him.
" I am Ryo’s better half, I like to say. Thankfully, Miss Grace didn’t take that title from me today." Maybe Ryo was too thankful too soon. His face flushed to a small red before staring at the creature. It had been true, had him and Altagracia wed Bubby, and his friends would have surely ended up in the trash or a pit of fire. Much to Ryo’s displeasure, but it was no secret how much the duchess hated Ryo’s wooden friends. " He-I we are just joking." The man managed to get out.
Bubby let go of the girl’s hand, " Yes, we joke. As we Siscian’s are often known for our sense of humor." Arguing with himself had not been on Ryo’s list of things to do today, but neither had being cucked at the altar, so here he was in purgatory for this random princess to watch the chaos. The prince debated whether it was better to tell her that he was Bubby early on or just allow her to enjoy the show. " So tell me, Phina, was that not the most entertaining thing you have ever seen or what?" Or what was what Ryo hoped the reply was. The man didn’t need any more embarrassment today.
OOC: Wearing:x Thoughts: What is this feeling? Location: Bench close but not too close to the chapel. With: Phina
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