When everything goes wrong, does your character keep going? Do they throw their hands up in frustration? Do they rant and rave? Today, show your character in the middle of a bady day.

This response is based off of one on my works in progress (WIP). Ishi is from our earth, modern day, and was thrown into a fantasy world and forced to take up the mantle of queen for a crumbling kingdom. This would take place halfway through the story when they start to have more contact with the neighbouring kingdoms. Calant is akin to a Night Elf and is Ishi’s bodyguard. He is magically bond to her so he always knows where she is.

Ishi sat slumped against the cold stone wall, her feet tucked up underneath her midnight blue skirt.  The silver thread sparkled in the moonlight, teasing at the idea that this was supposed to be a happy day.  Her kingdom had finally become influential enough to warrant the hosting of dignitaries from other kingdoms.  And with dignitaries came the prospect of trade and alliances that would help secure her peoples safety.  And yet, it seemed as though the very God’s that had pushed her into becoming a ruler were thwarting her every plan.

The shipments bringing in the supplies needed to host a banquet had been delayed, leading to agitation amongst the cooks.  Why, even this morning there had been a small fire in the kitchens, thankfully quickly thwarted by one of the new mages.  Then, on top of that, the castle had taken several day’s to convert the mana Ishi had given it before making the necessary changes to its structure.  So in the middle of the night a good portion of the floor plan had changed, causing everyone to run around trying to figure out where everything was now and having to re-do decorations and plans that had been in place for days.

Sighing Ishi rubbed at her temples.  Her headache was not going away and even the faint murmur of voices drifting out onto the balcony hurt.  She had not had even a moment’s rest the whole day.  Which might have been fine, if she had not been sidelined at her own banquet.  The ‘dignitaries’ that had been sent seemed more interested in talking amongst themselves than to her, the host and ruler of the domain they were staying in.  

The thump of footsteps on stone caused Ishi to look up.  Another person was coming to the balcony, though she couldn’t see them quite yet.  She drew her legs in and hoped they would miss her, just like everyone else had.

A man came through the doors, strides strong and confident.  His broad shoulders highlighted in the low light and his silver hair shining as moon light struck it.  He stopped and turned, looking straight at Ishi.  She sighed, there was no hiding from Calant.     

 “Lady Ishiala what are you doing there?” Calant asked.  

“I just needed a breath of fresh air,” Ishi said.

“A breath of fresh air?”  Calant asked, brow furrowed.  “Then why are you sitting on the ground?”

Ishi rubbed at the back of her neck.  Would she ever get used to the expectations of nobility?  “I wanted to be alone.”  No, she had already felt alone as everyone spoke to each other and not her.  She had wanted to disappear. 

Calant sighed.  “It isn’t wise for the Lady of the Hour to be missing during her own banquet.”

“Ha,” Ishi half-laughed.  “As if they even notice I’m gone.”

“If they don’t notice you then you should make them notice.”

“Do you have any idea what you are saying?”  Ishi stopped talking as a form draped in red silk came barreling out onto the balcony. 

“Calant,” Bri nearly shouted.  “Have you seen Ishi?  I can’t find her anywhere?”  

Calant raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. 

“Ugh,” Bri said gripping at her hair, “I just knew she would do this.   Everytime she has to socialize she ends up in a corner somewhere instead.  Let me know as soon as you find her.” And then Bri was gone, back off on her search.

“You see,” Ishi said.  “Not even my best friend saw me.  How am I supposed to make a room full of politicians see me?”

Calant rubbed at his temples, “Maybe by not hiding in a corner.”

Ishi crossed her arms, looking away.  “A year ago all I had to worry about was stupid trolls on the internet.  I don’t know how to talk politics.  I kept telling everyone I didn’t know how to entertain delegates but you all kept insisting that we needed this.”  

Sighing, Calant knelt before Ishi.  Gently he whipped the unshed tears from the corner of her eyes.  “Forgive me my Lady.  You have taken so well to all that has happened that I sometimes forget you are not from Aldera.”  Calant held out his hand.  “Let me aid you my Lady.  Though I am currently your Protector I was actually trained as a diplomat.”

“You where?” Ishi asked, looking at Calant surprised.

Calant’s lips twitched up into the barest of smiles.  “Yes.  My mother, worried about my tendencies to throw myself into battle, had me training as a diplomat in the Tuias Kingdom.  So let me aid you.”

Ishi swallowed.  “Alright,” she said, taking Calant’s hand.  “I guess if you’re with me, it will be okay.”  Together they stood and Calant tucked Ishi’s arm into his.  Her heart fluttered as she looked up at him, his grey eyes usually so hard looking at her softly.  With a little shake she pushed the feelings aside.  She needed to focus on the banquet right now.  Together Ishi and Calant returned to the ball room.