It's not Escapism, call it Self-Care // Riven

      Anastasia's departure for their room did not go completely unnoticed, though. Riven was once again staring at yet another god forsaken painting of the previous Zora king when he caught Anastasia's rushed attempt for their room. Is it me, or are they a bit... anxious? He had wondered, before the loveliest of ideas came to him. He grinned and skipped excitedly to the kitchen.


    Chefs and servants alike roamed in and out of the kitchen and dining area, so stealth was a bit out of the question. Riven's 7 foot stature made it very clear that stealth was not his forte, so the emperor had to think. While lost in thought, he was caught by his usual chambermaid who had asked, "Master, do you require something?" Her sudden appearance finally made the gears finally start to grind.

    "Madame, am I glad you came!" He said with a childish form of endearment.

    The chambermaid could not help but smile at his excitement. "What could you possibly need me for?"

    "Madame, if I may, could I possibly convince you to bring me a bottle of some of our fine, fresh wildberry wine?"

    "Your highness, it's only noon, and that's our finest wine. I certainly couldn't--" The chambermaid was cut short at the sight of a silver rupee clasped in the right hand of the emperor, very expertly out of the view of the general public.
    
    "Madame, I assure you it is of utmost importance that I receive this wine. It is for a royal affair, after all." He said with a cunning wink. The chambermaid had let out a defeated sigh before snatching the rupee from his hand and entering the kitchen, leaving Riven all alone with his favorite shit-eating grin.


    After some maneuvering around the small crowds of nobles and servants, gallantry and touring guests alike with little to no notice of our favorite Zora ruler's forbidden juice, Riven appeared before Anastasia's door before he let out a gentle knock, bestowed with gifts of fine wine and good company.

    Riven bowed low to his host before stepping into the room, having to duck under the door jamb. "Thank you. I brought you a gift..." He said gently as he placed the crystal wine glasses on the seemingly only free spot upon the desk. He removed the cork of the wine bottle before allowing it to join it's crystalline comrades in the mess. "You seemed a bit off when you were walking by, I figured I would try to make you feel better. I can't stand to see anyone unhappy, you see. Especially those important to me." He said with a soft chuckle as he turned to a chair, overflowing with books. He picked them up and gingerly moved them aside, making sure not to cause the stacks to fall. Not once did a look of judgement cross his face. As the chair cleared, he plopped his fishy butt on the chair, looking to Anastasia with soft amber eyes. "How have you been, friend? It's been a while." 

---

@anastasia peer pressure peer pressure lmao

"Oh, do I understand questions," He began with a sigh and leaned forward towards the wine, pouring himself and Anastasia a glass each. He leaned back against his chair, swirling the deep red liquid in his hand. "It never ends. Hopefully, they'll end sooner than later." With that, he took a long, savoring sip.
    It went down smooth and sweet, with notes of wildberry and voltfruit. A little bit of fairy magic enhanced the flavors while it relaxed the drinker's body. He watched the spiraling liquor with a dreamy smile, "This is my favorite wine. It's one of the perks of royalty, I suppose. It helps ease the stress of everything. Between a growing daughter and a growing kingdom, growing foreign relations and more and more attention being brought to us as news finally makes it to the surrounding territories, I..." He trailed off and exhaled a breath he hadn't even noticed he was holding. "... I'm tired, Ana." He muttered softly, his eyes finally meeting theirs.

---

@anastasia let's give Riven crippling depression

    Riven nodded to Ana in thanks, "I know, thank you. It's why I swooped in today. I think some familiar company would do us both well."
    As he sipped his wine, listening to Ana speak, his mind wandered to his days in the orphanage. Back when he himself was one of those musician kids, plucking away at a bonefish guitar for hours. Anymore, not so much. "Of course. I am more than happy to see such an exquisite performance from such talented children. It warms my heart to see, and quite honestly it just makes me want to have more kids." He gave a hearty chuckle with his response. "I loved raising Rularu, even if on my own. Living without a family, I just always wanted her to have the very best I could give her, even without her mother by my side. I just wish I could have given her a sibling. She's vastly too independent for her own good!"

    Next thing he knew, he had finished his glass and helped himself to another.

    With a hearty chuckle, Riven looked to Anastasia with soft eyes. "She's certainly grown up to be quite the independent young woman. I must say, I'm proud of myself. Kids really aren't for everyone. They're a whole living being to care for, with thoughts, aspirations, and demands. They're a whole person with a future. It's terrifying." With that, he fell silent, swirling the wine in his hands.

    Suddenly, he stood and put his glass down before extending his hand to Anastasia. "Would you like to go canoeing? I know this amazing little waterhole downriver. It's so serene, I go there whenever I like to fish and think." He gave them his fishy grin during his offering.