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Morgana & Yanzi's Story
mercuryfoam
Posts: 1,156 Member
Hello Simmers!
This thread records the correspondence between two princesses from the East and West -- Morgana Pendragon from the Kingdom of Camelot and Yanzi Shui from the Huang Dynasty of Shang Simla.
Checkout @_sims_Yimi's original Tales of Camelot story to know more about our Medieval princess.
We hope you enjoy their budding friendship!
Happy Simming!
Letter Index:
(Click to navigate directly to the letter)
1 - Letter to Morgana
2 - Leap of Faith
3 - Legends of Shang Simla
4 - Change
5 - Dreams
6 - Reality
7- A Quiet Moment
(Click to navigate directly to the letter)
1 - Letter to Morgana
2 - Leap of Faith
3 - Legends of Shang Simla
4 - Change
5 - Dreams
6 - Reality
7- A Quiet Moment
Post edited by mercuryfoam on
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Comments
(Click to navigate directly to the letter)
1 - Letter to Morgana
2 - Leap of Faith
3 - The Legends of Shang Simla
4 - Change
5 - Dreams
Letter to Morgana - 1
The melodies of the night carries with it the blossoms of spring.
Along with it the possibility of a friend from distant shores.
Message begins:
Last night I had a dream of a pretty girl in a grand castle. She stood before a king and commanded a servant. She’s confident, determined, intelligent, compassionate but most of all, she seemed to want a friend.
In the dream, I sensed her powers, she wields magic. Niang (mother) says I am blessed with the Spirit of Wind and Water. Perhaps the touch of these elements enabled me to find her.
If you are willing, I would love to befriend you. I have many questions to ask you. How does it feel to be the only female high ranked noble in a beautiful palace? How do your duties differ among other nobles of your rank or gender? What do you do for fun? How often do you get to talk to commoners? What restrictions do you have?
For this purpose I have penned this letter to you. My name is Yanzi Shui from Shang Simla. I hope this message finds you well.
Next Letter: (Click to navigate directly)
2 - Leap of Faith
Story Blog | Forum Discussion
2 - Leap of Faith
My dreams are visited by a girl sometimes. A child like me, yet slightly different, with raven-black hair and a laugh as pure as water. I reach out, yet I can never see her face. When I reach her, the dreams fade, and I wake up alone.
Is it you?
Forgive me. It took me a week before I found the courage to respond. And I still dare not give you my name, as I live in a kingdom where all forms of magic are banned.
Yet I will take a leap of faith, and answer your questions as best I can. As princess of a kingdom, my duties are simple and very complicated at the same time.
I was raised to understand…
Entertain...
And listen.
When my father passes, my brother will take over the throne. My purpose as a noblewoman is to give a son to my husband… eventually. But until then, I want to watch over my brother, and protect him.
He doesn’t need another soldier. He needs someone to stand beside him, and watch his back among enemies. My father says that a lady can open doors that a gentleman cannot. As long as they can entertain their opponents, understand their games, and know what to listen for.
The older I get, the more I start to understand that game, and the more I begin to like it.
You speak of your mother. I do not know mine. Is she the one who taught you magic? I have to admit I’m woefully ignorant of the subject. What does “spirit of wind and water” mean?
If you are out there, I hope that this letter reaches you. I have never transported something to another continent before.
It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Yanzi Shui.
Yours sincerely,
A friend
Site | Thread
An Eastern Lore:
Clockwise:
The Azure Dragon of the East
Season: Spring, Element: Wood
The Vermilion Bird of the South
Season: Summer, Element: Fire
The White Tiger of the West
Season: Autumn, Element: Metal
The Black Tortoise of the North
Season: Winter, Element: Water
**More accurately a Chimera**
3 - The Legends of Shang Simla
Your gift and letter has reached me safely. General Bear is now my most favourite toy and constant reminder of my special friend from a distant land.
Though we are continents apart, your purpose and mine are alike -- to ensure the continuity of our families.
I am not of Imperial blood, but the emperor has awarded my father a great prestige for his service to the Court…
... a betrothal between the fifth prince and his subject’s only daughter.
Though noblewoman have no need for commoner skills, mother insists that I master music and literature before my fourteenth Winter.
Father tries to impart his knowledge too, though I must confess my struggle in this regard. My education greatly contradicts our Elder's preachings, who declare a virtuous woman as one of ignorance.
Perhaps my education is Father’s silent objection against His Majesty’s 'award’..
Your kingdom is strange to forbid magic. Some do regard it as witchcraft here, but Niang believes it a blessing bestowed by the Celestial Guardians. When I was growing inside her, she claims she was visited by the North Guardian.
No words were exchanged, but she believes my magic to be his doing. He revealed his true form as he returned to the skies. What about you? Perhaps your magic is a gift too!
Please accept this snow rabbit as my thanks for General Bear and as a token of our friendship. I’d love to know more about you and your magic. May we continue to exchange stories of our livelihood for years to come.
Yours truly,
Yanzi
"To my dearest Yanzi,
Forgive me for not responding to you in a timely manner. Over the last month, there were changes within the castle that prevented me from contacting you until now.
My father has assigned a second maid servant to me. The girl is adamant in making herself as useful as possible. An admirable trait, were it not for the fact that she refuses to leave me alone. Even when I explicitly send her away, she still ropes other servants into standing at the ready for me. As you can imagine, it has made transporting letters via magic circle a bit of a tall order.
How have you been? Has life in Shang Simla treated you kindly? We have had a harsh winter here, and last year’s bad harvest has made many a commoner grow hungry. We’ve done what we can, but even then, there’s only so much one can do when at the mercy of mother nature.
The King has been working on improving relationships with the other kingdoms. There is talk of betrothing my brother to one of the neighbouring princesses, and both crown princes have expressed interest in a future union with our family.
In response to their negotiations, or perhaps as an incentive... gifts have started arriving almost weekly. Most of it is jewelry. A shame, too – some are truly beautiful, but I cannot give the impression of attachment to either one of them, and so all go unworn.
I’ve snuck most of the sweets to my brother, but there was one gift that I thought might interest you. They are cacao beans, brought to Camelot as treasure from a distant land called Selvadorada. The prince was quite detailed in his explanation. They are bitter to the taste, but are said to become sweet when ground into a paste mixed with water, vanilla, honey and pepper.
He called it an “invigorating drink, a natural mood enhancer... and a mild aphrodisiac.” The latter of which came accompanied by a wink, that ended up in him getting escorted out of the ballroom.
At any rate - apparently, the indigenous people of Selvadorada believed that the beans possess mystical and spiritual qualities. I do not know if that is true, but if it is, then I wish for them to bring you good fortune.
Do not worry – they are not poisoned. One of the advantages of a natural healing ability is that you do not need to consume something to test it.
I must hurry with my letter. Guinevere could return at any moment, and the girl is too perceptive for her own good. I hope that you are safe and well, and our correspondence can continue as it was, very soon.
I wish you well.
Yours sincerely,
A friend"
Too Good at Goodbyes forum thread
Too Good at Goodbyes blog
Edit: I just noticed the banner - that is beautiful!
Story Blog | Forum Discussion
@ThePlumbob
"Dearest friend,
I understand your frustration with your maid servant. One of mine is just as dedicated as yours. She is my constant companion and my shadow. The lack of privacy aggravates me sometimes, but Minxi has grown on me, especially when I’ve always wondered what it’s like to have a sibling.
Healing magic is extraordinary. You have a powerful and blessed gift. How disappointing that your kingdom regard magic with such disdain. You would be revered here, even deified by the common people.
Speaking of magic, I am learning more about mine. My ability to manipulate water has proven useful to avoid unwanted... circumstances.
Over the past months, I have experienced a great upheaval that has left me in deep sorrow, for I am no longer betrothed to my beloved Fifth Prince.
Instead, I now serve His Majesty directly.
Many would chide me for taking this opportunity for granted. They see it as a blessing, while I, a curse. My dream of marrying Fifth Prince, though childish and idealistic, is not one I am willing to let go.
The lavish gifts and jewelery from your neighbors speak of their intention to unite your kingdoms under one banner. Does your King have a preference among them as your suitor? Do you?
I hope your Father will truly listen to and honor your voice, unlike mine.
I’m ashamed to say I did not bring much of my possessions with me when I entered the Forbidden City. I do not have anything worthy to return your generous gift. Perhaps one day I will learn the ways to transport my magic to you - it could prove useful for your harvests.
Until then, may we grow and unlock the mysteries of our magic together.
Yours truly,
Yanzi"
I'll be releasing what happened to Yanzi in a moment so this makes more sense.
Aw man, did her father wait until Yanzi was older to tell her that she was going to the Forbidden City? Then her anger is a bit misplaced, as it's not squarely on him but on the emperor commanding it of him… though keeping it from her is his fault. I feel bad for both of them. She looks so sad in that last picture =(
(For the people that are missing details – Yanzi’s first chapter is out on @mercuryfoam 's blog!)
Anyway, I'm glad she has Morgana to confide in at this challenging time. It's not like she'll be able to open up to the other girls where she's going.
Story Blog | Forum Discussion
Yep... her anger is misplaced, but valid.
@ThePlumbob Oof. You're right about beauty being unfortunate. And you're right, I'm basing it on the elemental system assigned to personalities. Originally, I was looking for a challenge based on elements when I found I.C.C so.. why not, right?
@DeafSimmer Hiya! Welcome to the thread. And this is unrelated but I love your avatar and your signature breaks my heart.
________________________________________________________________
“To my dearest Yanzi,
You have mentioned and asked many things in your letter, yet I will focus on the most pressing matter at hand. Forgive me, for your words have made me worry greatly about your safety.
To annul a union planned for so many years is quite alarming. Has there been an official reason for the cancellation of the betrothal? Has the Fifth Prince requested a different bride?
Correct me if I am mistaken, but I believe that you have been forced into your culture’s version of an extended royal court. I also know that you have not been raised for court intrigue. You have stepped into incredibly dangerous territory. Even more so since you were placed there, rather than entering of your own volition.
I do not know how you can return to Fifth Prince. But in in order for that future to take place, you need to protect yourself while you are trapped in court. Involuntary or not, you have entered into a position of privilege. That will spark jealousy. Maybe even resentment. If you are unable to step down and return home, you need to do whatever you can to increase your position and influence, and protect yourself from harm.
Yanzi, from this point forward, how you speak and act in public is a matter of life and death. It is no simple matter of etiquette and protocol. Every word you speak, every gesture you make, will be measured and evaluated for any sign of weakness. The social game played in court is like a game of bluffing that is played to the death - you must never reveal your cards.
I do not know how useful my advice will be to you, my friend. But I shall offer it anyway. If you are to survive, you need to lay the groundwork for an uphill battle.
First, you need to study everyone in your court. Learn their names, their positions and their status compared to yours. You cannot begin to play the game if you do not know its rules. Knowledge is power, and the better you know your surroundings, the quicker you will be able to figure out which nobles are threats.
Second, you need to pay attention to the servants. Especially in high court, servants often have an entire society of their own, and how they act reveals a great deal. If you wish to uncover something useful about a noble, pay attention to what their servants are doing.
Third, and perhaps most important… find an ally. Court intrigue is exhausting, and you need someone around whom you can let your guard down. Even if it is just for small-talk. It does not seem like much, but on some days, simple small-talk with no ulterior motive may be the only thing that keeps you sane. This is the most difficult step, as you do not know who to trust yet. I was lucky enough to be born with an ally, and I have found another in a commoner. My wish is for you to find someone, as well. Until then, confide in me. I will provide a listening ear when I can.
You are strong, Yanzi. Remember that, and be safe.
Yours sincerely,
A friend”
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Story Blog | Forum Discussion
@DeafSimmer
@ThePlumbob I aim to please.
“Dear friend,
It's been two months since our last correspondence. I hope all is well with you.
For the past months, I’ve been subject to intensive and gruelling in-palace training for newly appointed Imperial maidens. My speech, gestures, movement and walkstyles are scrutinised and nit-picked at every turn. Even my sleeping habits are observed and corrected. I cannot tell you the many times I’ve been awakened and reprimanded all because I slept on my side than facing forward! Thankfully, I’ve passed the training and have since been granted my own bed and room. I still live with sisters of my rank in the same palace, but at least I have my own space now.
To answer your question, I am unsure if the Fifth Prince and I were ever engaged to each other in the first place. From what I’ve gathered, no one has ever heard of the prince’s betrothal of any kind. At present, he isn’t even in the Forbidden city. Fifth Prince has been residing with the Empress Dowager in Yuan Ming Palace for the past two years, a ten days ride northwest from the city walls.
Returning home is not an option. It is considered a form of desertion that would result in not only my death, but that of my entire clan. All 132 of us will be executed if I were to act irresponsibly. Hence, I have since accepted the Imperial palace as my home, but I’ve yet to accept the emperor as my partner.
It is customary for men to take several wives, but the Emperor has so many that he could bed a different woman each night for an entire moon cycle and still not be done with everyone! Jealousy is rife in the palace as women fight amongst each other for his affections. Even I who avoid the power struggle and competition find myself a frequent target of their teasing and jeering.
I do not have an ally among my Imperial ‘sisters’, but I have grown quite fond of Minxi. She keeps me company at all times as I stroll in the gardens, encourages my skill building, and does my every bidding. She is especially helpful in gathering news of the Fifth Prince and finding out the Emperor’s schedule ahead of time. Through her, I managed to stay out of his radar and remain inconspicuous for the time being. Perhaps you’d argue that I’m being childish and silly since the Emperor’s attention comes with many perks, but I am not interested in power nor influence, and most certainly not his affections.
I’m not sure how long this peace will last, but I will cherish every moment of it. Do tell me more about yourself and your kingdom. I’ve grown rather tired of my own voice and of these magnificent yet oppressive walls.
Yours truly,
Yanzi”
That's a lot of responsibility on Yanzi's shoulders. She seems to be handling it as well as one can, though.
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