I know, I know, I wouldn't call this typical fan art, but I had trouble figuring out what exactly to flair this since I am not much of an artist. So anyway, when I first saw the TWSTober prompt from weeks ago, I thought this would be the perfect way to help me get my writing mojo back because my day job hasn't been friendly to me for the past year. So I'm basing most of the prompts listed off of situations my OCs would get themselves into. Some of them are one off stories while others can be scenes from this TWST fanfic series I'm writing. For each of these posts, I'll give a small backstory on that OC (Unless I mention them again in a future post), so that it gives people context of the scene.

For the case for Zara, with the title in mind, she is the love interest I made for Kalim. She is super obsessed with literature and poetry. Her father got her into reading. Her mother passed away at birth, and her father sadly passed away at the age of ten. She was, of course, orphaned and sent to a workhouse, where she would end up pretty abused through her preteen and teen years. Eventually, she escaped that life and survived the streets (pretty much like Aladdin). With that in mind, her walls are built pretty high up, but she will always open it for children. How she and Kalim meet was that Zara actually rescued one of his many younger siblings from trouble, so Kalim thought it would be a good idea to bring her in as a maid to watch the kids. For Kalim, meeting Zara is love at first sight, but despite Zara staying for the children to make sure they are looked after while their parents are busy, she first finds Kalim to be overbearing and a little too clingy. Also, with her past abuse, Zara doesn't believe that someone like Kalim would fall for her so easily. She finds solace in Jamil and Akliah (Jamil's servant childhood friend and another maid who works for the Asim estate) who understand her plight more than Kalim seems to (at first). As you can see from the title, eventually the two do end up together, and this is the post story in which the two are engaged to be wed.

For this prompt, Kalim sees that Zara is not in the best mood, so he takes her on a magic carpet ride, so they can speak in private.

Link to original prompt post: https://www.reddit.com/r/TwistedWonderland/comments/xe5lzy/twstober_prompt/

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Kalim could tell by first glance that Zara was not in the best of moods today. How would he be sure what caused her feelings to sour? He did know how to get it out of her without catching attention.

He found his previous fiancée in their bed chamber, staring out the window and up at the twinkly, blessed moon. With the carpet carrying its master, Kalim sped outside and zoomed in front of Zara, hoping for a pleasant surprise.

Zara jumped on the sitting ledge, but her heart eased at the sight of her betrothed. “Kalim…”

“Come on, Zara. The night is too beautiful to watch it from indoors.”

She deeply sighed, looking away.

“Don't you want some fresh air before bed?” he asked concernedly.

Zara hated to hear her fiancé sound so defeated. She shook the negativity and joined Kalim on the carpet, riding into the diamond skies of Scalding Sands.

The carpet rode the fluffy clouds as if they were waves from the ocean. The summer night’s breeze brushed the riders’ faces like blankets made from the softest wool. Kalim had Zara’s head leaning on his shoulder as they usually had positioned themselves when they sat together. He leaned his head to kiss the top of hers. “You trust me right?”

“Kalim, what is this?”

“I know you hate to let everyone else know you’re not well, but you can always tell me without hurting my feelings.”

“I don’t think it’s necessary to tell. It’s a stupid emotion what I’m feeling.”

“Zara, don’t say such things. How you feel is the most important thing in my life.” Kalim snatched a piece of cloud from next to the carpet. He swirled the fluff with his fingers as if he was scooping ice cream. By the end of the designing process, the cloud resembled a gorgeous desert flower.

As Kalim carefully slid the flower cloud into Zara’s hands, a smile reappeared as her usual self would’ve done.

“I could give you real flowers, or whatever you wish, in exchange for yoru story.”

“As you wish,” she replied, sighing. “You will absolutely believe it’s silly.

“I am absolutely sure it’s not.”

Zara nodded. “I was looking after your sisters this afternoon. They were having a good time. I was having a good time. Then, your father came home unexpectedly early. I assume you know that.”

“Oh yeah. I saw. Something about home business?”

“Well, regardless of the reason, he visited us in the gathering room. He said that I could take the rest of the afternoon doing what I desired, so he could spend time with his daughters.” Zara felt her throat dry as she finished her last sentence.

“Did my father’s return upset you?” Kalim asked worriedly.

“Of course not. I was happy to see him with the girls. They were so happy to play and sing together. It’s just…It reminds me so much…”

Kalim cupped his mouth. “I’m so sorry, Zara. I didn’t know it would bring up memories of your father.”

“How would you know? I told you it was silly.”

“No.”That deadpan “no” shocked Zara.

“It is not silly to feel miss for your father and longing for those memories.”

“I’ve done my best not to think about it.”

“You should think about it. Grief is a normal human process.” Kalim closed his eyes and thought. “Carpet, take us home, please.”

The carpet turned back towards the mansion as commanded.

“Going home now?” questioned Zara.

“We are going to tell my father how you felt today. He would come up with something to do with you.”

“Kalim, please don’t.” she begged. “He’s a busy man. I can’t force him to be around me in that way.”

“Why not?”

“I’m not his daughter.”

“You will be when we get married. It shouldn’t hurt to build that connection now. I know it won’t be the same, but you’ll have a father figure to guide you when we have our own children. Not that he’s expecting that right now I mean. I mean, it’s good to have someone to talk to, take advice from, receive praise from, you know?”

“But will he think the same as you?”

“I hope so, but even if he doesn’t, it won’t take much to convince him. Just tell him what you want and need, Zara. He won’t know unless you do.”

The closer the carpet was approaching the mansion, the clearer Zara’s thoughts became. She was no longer an orphan who fought to live. She no longer had to yearn for what she had lost. If Kalim was right (How could he not?), she didn’t have to hide in the shadows begging to become a child yet again.

Carpet parked itself at the same window Zara had left, and the engaged lovers departed back onto the solid marble floor. The carpet shook itself stretched and floated to its resting place for some peace and quiet.

“Kalim,” Zara chirped.

“Yes?”

“I think you said if I told my story, you’d give me what I wanted?”

“I did say that.”

“Well…” She clasped her hand in his. “Would Mr. Asim be offended iif I asked for a poetry reading to be held?”

Kalim laughed. “We’d all be delighted. Are you going to ask him now?”

Zara shook her head. “I think I’ll hold it off until tomorrow. For tonight, I just want to be with my other half.”

Kalim blushed. “Zara, you are too cute.”

“I’m trying.”

He pulled his bride to his chest and kissed her forehead. As he continued down to her lips, Kalim knew that Zara trusted him. Through his passionate kisses, he told her that she had nothing to fear anymore, and that above all else, she came along with the rest of his family. He had always been ready to put Zara with his family.