[ASTA HQ] The Queen and her Castle [Primula]

It was a peculiar feeling, even if she was enjoying the fresh air, the sedatives were still partly influencing her, leaving the girl less cheerful and excited compared to other children of her age. Once they arrived at the ASTA Corporate's headquarters, the green yard was a pleasant sight to behold, perhaps courtesy of Primula's fondness for nature. Indeed, although Ishtar was taking the lead, Primula made certain not to stray from her side, merely following behind her when finally one of the employees ended up greeting her 'mother'. The girl only briefly raised her head, her mismatched eyes gazing quietly at the man.

When they were in the elevator and Ishtar addressed her, Primula's gaze shifted upwards at her mother's reflection in the metal doors. She warned her about the importance of never underestimating one's subordinates, a lesson that reminded Primula of the circumstances at Shinagawa. "Mhmm~ It is important for a ruler to be admired and worshipped by their subordinates, lest they would betray you at the most inconvenient of times. Titania told me that before"

The girl chimed softly in response as the door opened and her mother commented about wanting to bring out her greatness. To be honest, she wasn't entirely certain what this greatness was about. Titania was the amazing one, not she... right? Trying to shake the thoughts from her mind, the idea of food did seem quite appealing to the child, whose stomach growled lightly just at the thought of a delicious meal.

"Hospital food was yuck..." Primula whispered softly, seemingly still displeased with the situation at the hospital. Still, somewhere in the back of her mind she still had a certain sensation, a fit of festering anger toward the doctors who had imprisoned her beloved Titania. Yet only time would tell just how exactly that emotion would escalate, and what consequences that it would bring with it.

The girl nodded her head slightly in understanding to Ishtar's warning. So respect was something one earned, a consequence of one's actions. Now she thought a bit more about it, according to the stories she read Titania was respected by her people because she was a kind and just ruler. But then why did she never talk about them? Why did nobody come to seek out Titania yet? Her thoughts were briefly sidetracked when Ishtar explained that in order to truly gain the power she spoke of, the girl would need to build up around her, gain followers and alies and help them tap into their true potential, all so her own power and influence would grow also, all so she would get closer to free Titania.

The revelation that Ishtar would be cooking for her suddenly caused a spark of excitement, her eyes lit up with childish excitement. How long had it been since she had enjoyed a proper meal? Even more special was the fact it had been cooked for her specifically, usually she brought simple meals from the stores, not that she could really be picky when she had no home to call her own, till now. "Mhmm~ I'll look forward to it." The child hummed happily as they entered the penthouse, and when Ishtar told her to relax a little, Primula nodded her head sheepishly, sitting down on the sofa in the living room and took a moment to relax a little.

It was nice knowing she would no longer have to worry about being on her own, and that she would soon be reunited with her beloved companion. However, the more she thought about Titania, the more worried she became. Why did the people at the hospital try to seal her away? Yet, perhaps due to exhaustion or the lingering effect of the medication, the child slowly felt her eyes close, surely a short moment of rest till Ishtar called her wouldn't hurt, right?

Yet after the darkness consumed her visage, the child soon found herself stirred back awake by a bright light shining at her, and upon opening her eyes the luxurious flat seemed to have been replaced by a spacious hall. A crimson carpet stretched along the ground before her, the soft cushion underneath her making the throne she sat on feel surprisingly comfortable.

Although curiously enough she felt something was wrong with her perspective, for some reason she seemed to be looking at the room from higher than normally, as if her body was larger.

"Where... am I?"

A soft whisper escaped her lips, and yet it was not her voice that spoke them. No, it was a familiar voice, and yet not her own. Rising onto her feet she stepped down from the heightened elevation of the throne when all of a sudden a soft feminine voice called out to her. "Finally awake, are you? My dear Prim~"

The voice made her suddenly turn around, a bewildered look on her face as she spotted a most peculiar sight. Primula was seated on the throne, her lips curved up in a smile and her mismatched eyes gazing at her own. But wait, that didn't make any sense! If Primula was seated on the throne, then... who was she?

Noticing the confusion in her expression the girl sighed softly and gestured lightly with her hand, the air in front of her distorting as it seemed to start to form into a large mirror. "You are Prim~ And yet now you are also Titania~" The girl's words made Primula's eyes widen in surprise, a light shake of her head following. "How can that be?! I'm Primula! and you-"

Yet as the reflection of the fairy queen gazed at her, Primula couldn't help but feel an eery discomfort. "Mhmm~ I'm Titania, and yet I'm also Prim~" The words only earned another bout of confusion from the child while the girl on the throne continued speaking. "Let me explain it for you in a way you can understand~ Have you ever wondered why you are able to use my power?" Wasn't that because her Quirk had brought Titania into existence? "Close~ Although to be more specific, your Quirk is the power to turn imagination solid, to turn dreams into reality~ Now what would happen, when you imagine yourself as a fairy queen?"

...

"I would become Titania?" The girl on the throne clapped her hands happily together at the response. "Ping~Pong~ Correct! You're a quick learner my dear~ Simply said, Prim and Titania are simply two sides of the same coin. It's just that you been refusing to flip the coin~"

Was that truly the case? Did she actually become Titania? "Mhmm~ Nonetheless, there is still a rift, because till now, deep inside you always refused to accept the truth." The truth? "Mhmm~ That the greatness of Titania is yours, you wanted to rescue Titania because you feared to be abandoned again, so you wanted Titania to help you become an amazing person, right?"

But could she actually free Titania, if she herself had become Titania? "Good, now you're asking the important question~ Remember what you were told: If you don't want to be abandoned, make them respect you... Be that amazing person you desire to be~ Perhaps if you're lucky enough Sonya-nee might end up adoring you so much she won't be able to let go~ Wouldn't that be great? That she loves you so much that she will never ever abandon you?"

Was such a thing truly possible? "It is~ You got all the means for it~" But how... Slowly she rose off her throne, a few steps forwards being made as the girl stood right before her. "Just... Turn your dream into a reality~" As if the words were a catalyst for something, the entire castle seemed to crumble into darkness, her eyes opening as she found herself back in the penthouse. It was a peculiar dream, but perhaps it was more than that also...

Turning around on the sofa she leaned over the back of it and gazed with her mismatched eyes at Sonya, a smile painted on her lips.

"hehe~ Sonya-nee's cooking~"

Yet despite the cheerful smile on her lips, in her gaze, a twinkle of mischief lingered. For Sonya might had been the queen of this castle, but every castle could be conquered, and she would spare no effort to obtain this queen.

There was something about stirring back into consciousness that made Primula feel different. It was difficult to describe, but in a way it felt that after her short nap Primula felt much more awake, as if the haze that shrouded her thoughts was starting to clear up. As she sat upright Primula gazed quietly at the television screen, and while one might see her own reflection in it, Primula saw something else. The confident smile of Titania greet her, and Primula knew all too well what she had to do now. She had to make certain she would become a great person, someone who Sonya would like so much that she would never even consider abandoning her.

Indeed, the fear of abandonment was a powerful motivator for the child who gently swayed back and forth on the couch as she waited for Sonya to finish preparing their meal. However, the words of the young woman still lingered in her mind. If she desired to obtain that which she desired, she needed power and influence, but most of all, she needed people who would never betray or abandon her. In that sense, it made her think back about her quirk. It was a special power, one exclusive to her, and if she learned to master it... would she be able to obtain the allies she needed?

When Sonya called out that they were to have dinner in the dining room, the child hopped onto her feet and walked over, peeking inside the room adjoined to the kitchen and as she took a seat at the spot Sonya had prepared for her, Primula mused softly in response. "Was a good nap~ I feel more awake now."

Looking at the meal Sonya had prepared, Primula had to admit there was a certain excitement for her, after all it was not often she was able to enjoy a selfmade meal! Certainly, Hachi tried to cook for her as often as she could, but with the bee lady's work it often were long hours... "Thank you for the meal~" Primula exclaimed happily, clapping her hands together in a prayer of gratitude upon which she looked at Sonya, as if expecting to be praised for remembering her manners.

"I was thinking earlier about what you said..." Primula began, a thoughtful frown upon her visage as she looked from her dish up at Sonya. "With Titania no longer here, I don't have anyone protecting me anymore. However, with my power I should be able to bring a guardian into existence, a protector whose loyalty to me is immovable, and whose courage is unflinching in the face of danger."

She paused for a moment as her stomach growled lightly, and soon the child exclaimed with a smile. "But first it's time to fill my belly with Sonya-nee's delicious food~" Indeed, conjurations could wait for later, for now there was a delicious meal for her to sample, and some pleasant company to enjoy during it at the same time!

Primula nodded her head lightly as Sonya described the concept of a protector to that of a medieval knight. Primula was clearly enjoying it, smiling gleefully at Sonya. "Mhmm~ it's really yummy! But I think that's because you made it~" Her eyes sparkling with joy the thought of outfits made Primula ponder for a moment. "Stylists... outfits..." She seemed to pause for a bit, her hand reaching for her cheek as she pondered for a bit. "You think so?" Her gaze settling onto Sonya's own as she was asked about her likes and dislikes.

"Well~ I like you, and your cooking~ And I like stories! like the story Titania is from~" Primula's voice clearly grew more enthusiastic as she started talking. "I also like soft blankets and big pillows to nuzzle into when I fall asleep~" Yet her expression darkened slightly. "I dislike the hospital that took away Titania, and I also dislike most of the heroes of this world. They aren't like the heroes Titania told me about. They preach they are the good guys, but often they are just as selfish as the bad guys, and only because the law supports them they are called the good guys. It's such hypocrisy... but I'm sure we can change them~ Together nobody will be able to stop us from doing that~" She smiled softly and as she put her fork down she tilted her head lightly at the sudden question. "Cake sounds yummy~ But you been doing so much for me already..."

Seemingly having an idea of her own she smiled happily and clapped her hands together. "If you make yummy cakes I will give you a reward~ Something nice!"

She nodded her head sheepishly, a twinkle of joy and childish excitement emerging in her eyes. It was clear that the gloomy subject from before had faded away.

The invitation to join her earned quite an energetic "Hai~" Response from Primula who bounced onto her feet and followed after Sonya. There was something about the innocent way she was acting that would remind one of an abandoned puppy who had been following someone who had fed her, that adorable affection that was so genuine and yet so childishly naive as she looked up at Sonya and in response to her question shook her head lightly. She couldn't recall having ever made a cake before, so this idea was entirely new to her, not that it seemed to intimidate the young lass. "I made cookies before, but no cake~" She was quite fond of the time she had used those little tools that allowed her to give the cookies all sorts of shapes, but it was a fond memory in the distant past, and since then she had never had the opportunity to cook before.

"But I'll do my best to help you!" She spoke reassuringly, looking at the beverages Sonya had poured, to be honest, she was pretty curious about what was inside the glass, especially since the beverage was sparkling, a trait that earned the attention of the childish lass quite quickly!

"Is it difficult to make a cake? Maybe that is why people go to a bakery so often! hehe, the Chernova bakery~" A sheepish grin on her lips, the child looked up at Sonya, waiting for her response.

It was clear Primula was approaching the entire event with the same innocent excitement that one would come to expect of a child. With an attentive gaze she watched Sonya's motions, not a single gesture by the woman's hands being missed and when Sonya told her to get eight cups of flour, the child nodded her head happily. "Mhmm!" And so she got to work. Picking up the measuring cup she started to fill it with flour, each time she filled it, the girl counted out loud and proceeded to do the task Sonya had asked of her. "Greece~ That's very far away, right? Like across the water! Somewhere in Europe?" While she was inquiring she proceeded to mix it with the flour, just like instructed. "Oooh! Was she your bestest friend? like me and Titania?" Primula inquired with a bright smile, and yet after a moment when Sonya looked at her, the child tilted her head slightly to the side as Sonya seemingly told her about an important rule. The girl nodded her head a few times, worriedly looking at the drink, yet as she brought it to her lips and sipped lightly on it, it was a decision she clearly regretted! "YUCKY! Prim prefers juice for sure!"

Yet fortunately, she still was recovering fast enough to pour it into the batter, looking from the ingredients to Sonya with a sheepish smile. "Prim doesn't like this drink at all~ hopefully, it won't spoil the cake..."

Sonya's laugh earned a sheepish grin from Primula who replied cheerfully in response. "Mhmm! Prim isn't an adult yet, doesn't like it..." and with that the conversation turned toward the topic of a friend, the mentioning of a bestest friend earning a curious little tilt of the child's head, wondering if that was a story she would hear for another time. "Mhmm! Prim loves cake!" Still, when Sonya showed her the coin and explained its purpose, Primula's eyes lit up excitedly. "A good luck charm inside a cake!" It seemed like she truly was excited with the concept, and when she peeked at the cake Primula carefully dropped it somewhere nicely within the center of the cake, beaming a smile at the older woman. "Now we both have an equal chance at getting the coin~" Although truth to be told, Primula genuinely felt as if she already had found her own good luck charm.

And so she excitedly observed the cake. "mhmm~ Maybe we be lucky together!" She exclaimed in a childishly adorable manner while she peeked up at Sonya, pondering about something. "Ne~ Ne~ How about a game! The one who finds this coin gets to make a wish!" It seemed like a cute idea for sure~