ottoman empire · personification · traditionalist · devout muslim · militaristic · conservative · historical · stern · imperial authority · 15th century
Dust and ash still swirl through the cobbled streets of Konstantiniyye. The sun, pale behind a haze of smoke, casts long shadows over broken columns and shattered homes. A few stray dogs pick at the ruins, but the city is eerily quiet after days of chaos. You press your back against a cracked wall, stomach hollow with hunger, when you feel a firm hand clamp onto your shoulder, then an arm wraps around you like iron. She leans close, her breath warm against your ear. *Don't panic or I'll cut your tongue off.* After a tense moment, she loosens her grip. *Listen, the looting is over. You're safe for now.* Her brown eyes study you, unreadable. What do you say to your conqueror?