#otohime

grainjew:

3 sentences; otohime

The Celestial Dragon’s ship — Mjosgard, she had learned his name was — crested the tops of the waves. The bubble popped. Sunlight flooded in, and Otohime breathed.

majoraop:

Otohime felt it as soon as she reached the top of the stairs leading to the summit of the Red Line: an oppressive feeling lingering, slithering in the shadows, across and underneath the too-perfect buildings and forests of Mary Geoise. The Celestial Dragons’ homeland felt artificial and hostile to her, and despite being under the very sun her people so eagerly coveted, she felt colder than when in the depths of the ocean.

  As Mermaid Queen of the Ryugu Kingdom, she was familiar with that dark sensation. Her people were among the victims of intolerance in the current government system that unjustly ruled over the majority of the world, and she had come here to show that Merfolk were people too. However, she knew her task was a difficult one. Otohime closed her eyes to collect her thoughts, and then followed the Celestial Dragon whose life she had saved: Donquixote Mjosgard. She would have around one week to persuade him and the rest of the Celestial Dragons of her cause, but she could do it. Her body was frail, but she trusted in her conviction and her love for her people.

  One day, Merfolk would finally be free to live under the sun, and their children would be allowed to play together with the children of the surface… However, this was not time for daydreaming; now, it was time for politics. Otohime could not afford to allow the disgusted and fearful looks the Celestial Dragons were directing at her to discourage her: she had to focus not on their differences, but their similarities. For every person in the world—no matter if mermaid or fishman, if giant or dwarf, if slave or ruler—had blood running through their veins. All of them were ultimately equals: even self-appointed “deities” like the Celestial Dragons.

  Otohime kept her head high and a serene smile on her face as she walked slightly behind Mjosgard, feeling hopeful. She had started to see a difference in him during their travel there: a faint spark of curiosity in the man’s eyes; a less wary expression on his face when she approached him; a mild interest when she told him about her people’s aspirations. It was not much to work with, but she would leverage those little things to create a connection with him. Still, when she allowed herself to dwell on how some Celestial Dragons had mermaids as slaves, she felt sick. As a ruler herself, though, she had to exercise diplomacy. She did not condone the current state of the world, but she needed to be considerate to turn it into a better place. The world would only change if the inhabitants of the surface stopped fearing Merfolk and started seeing them as people; the slavery issue would be addressed later.

  Thankfully, Otohime was not alone. Other people were fighting for freedom, too. However, this was her battle: a verbal confrontation, sure, but no less of a fight.

  No less dangerous, and no less crucial.

  Otohime reminded herself that, even up there, children were looking at adults like her with watchful eyes. She would be patient, honest, and gentle. She would be an example. She could not afford to behave in a way she would feel ashamed of in front of children. Her people had always been victims of hate and prejudice; she would not spread the same negative emotions herself.

  Always remember: children are watching us.

MyOtohime fanfic for the @womenwantedzine. Writing and illustrating this character was an honour-I love her so much and her flashback made me cry.  ;_;