Truce of the Elements [FULL]

Rosendorn · 2012-05-15T05:02:33Z

A truce has finally been achieved. After one hundred and fifty years of war, the seven element kingdoms have put aside their differences and are working towards turning their small fragments into one, powerful empire. They’ve found the most neutral castle of the continent— in what was once a no-man’s land on the corner of three kingdoms— and have met to decide the nuances of true peace. The most powerful men and women in the realm, sent to represent the rulers, are meeting to form the negotiations. They have also brought the heirs to the kingdom and their own children, to forge alliances through friendship. While they must sit in some negotiations through the day, to learn what is involved as part of their training for ruling, most of their time is spent interacting with the other kingdoms’ heirs. Everyone involved know the future of this peace relies on the friendships formed during negotiations. They can only pray no hate is formed. This is where you come in. You are one of the soon-to-be-leaders (either envoys and/or heirs) and have been instructed to learn as much as you can about other kingdoms. Why you learn is up to you. Not all kingdoms want the same type of peace. The war has been raging for generations, some nations constantly skirmishing in that time, while others are less involved but still presences felt by other nations. It has made an uneasy road for negotiations. Some kingdoms simply want a ceasefire, having grown very happy with their independence. Others want a full collaboration between nations. A few still hold hatred at some kingdoms, bitter that the war is over too soon for them to reclaim lost land or avenge their fallen. But, that is only speaking for the forefathers. The heirs might have different ideas, or follow in the mindset of the nation that raised them. Kingdoms Wood and animal live together in a jungle, a mountain range towering at the edge of their kingdom. In the foothills of this range, by the forest, metal lives and has cut a small trading route through the mountains to access the other kingdoms. In the mountains live earth, half of their kingdom in caves or stone houses. On the other side of the range, a rain shadow provides the air kingdom arid plains. A river from the mountains carves through it, and forms a marsh to its one side and mouth. On the river’s other side, south of the plains, fire has carved its niche, their country a combination of plains and hills. Between the fire and water kingdoms there is a no man’s land that has been washed with blood many times; both kingdoms have given up claiming it, and no other dares to try. Before the truce, animal and wood were defending their forest from metal's mining. Earth had given up removing the metal kingdom from some particularly large veins, but kept them from taking any more than they physically could. Air and earth never interacted, air not daring to get close to the mountains. Air also never dared get close to fire's territory, fearing the blaze that kingdom could set on their precious crops. The water kingdom could never leave the marsh because their powers dropped significantly away from any large bodies of water. Which made the drier shores of the river a battleground as, at first, water tried to claim it, then fire. Air receded from the immediate area, not wanting to be pulled into the conflict. Even now, hatred among the formerly-warring kingdoms still runs deep. Detailed Info Water They live in a marsh at the edge of a river, homes made of the most flexible trees with water walls. Because of this, the more water that can be controlled by the home’s inhabitants, the more powerful the family is. Classes are divided by how powerful each member is, with the male nobility sometimes choosing an exceptionally-powerful woman from a middle class family for their wife. Families plan for this, marrying for power more often than love among all classes. They believe the truce should be used as a temporary, loose thing to be crushed at the perfect time. Everything is for self-gain, for power and for the sake of coming out on top. It isn’t for the kingdom or the kingdom’s peace of mind. It’s for the rulers and the leaders and the important people- it’s to be feared. Everything is a ploy. The kingdom is perceived as cold and emotionless, and bloodthirsty. The war has been littered with tales of fire and water turning one shore of the river into a no man’s land. There’s some suspicion relating the sudden cease-fire between the two. Because they’ve only come out of their marsh to war, nobody really knows anything about them. Fire They live in hot hills with good growing conditions. Their magic is mostly based on passion, and widespread. They rule by a council of those with lots of magic or connections, hopefully both, and this council gets lost in debate frequently as passion and tempers overlap. Those who are forced into a job have a hobby they love, and those who aren’t do what they love. Their homes are designed to let in as much sunlight in as possible, with brick construction to withstand sometimes fiery outbursts. The rulers are split in how they view the truce. Some are happy to end bloodshed between the kingdoms, while others feel cheated out of any reconciliation for a war that’s been going on for generations. The majority want an end to war... and a chance to romance all the kingdoms. They are a relatively feared for their destructive nature. The wars with water, along with the amount natural wildfires can devastate the other kingdoms gives them a healthy dose of fear-bound respect. They’re also viewed as generally laid back, putting their hearts above their minds. But, still, nobody dares cross them. Air Aird plains in a mountain’s rain shadow. The winds controls the temperature, keeping it somewhat warm all year, and removes moisture from the air while still keeping fertile ground thanks to a river flowing through the territory. Pollen is distributed more easily, with humans doing some of the work normally reserved for nature’s processes. But, the air is fickle and brings storms and fans fires. They live outside, needing air movement. Their homes are nothing more than shelters from animals and weather, made of wood and straw with lots of open space. The best farmers, those who can control the wind for exact pollination, rule. Air, having been in the territory between two of the bloodiest wars, wants the air to stop smelling like death. They do not think the truce will affect them, but they want it just to be over. For the most part, they’ve managed to stay out of the war. But they are far from above feeling the effects. Their farming techniques are the most advanced out of all the kingdoms, and they fact they keep the themselves make them mostly known as a source of food if you ask nicely. They tend to hold disdain for the other kingdoms because of the wars. This makes the other kingdoms slightly weary, and, now that truce negotiations are underway, make them very aware how little they know about it. And how much of a necessity their techniques are. Earth They live in the mountains and have a rather glittery kingdom. The soil is rich and fertile, with their nobility having access to gems and semiprecious stones. Inside the mountains, the best mining families rule. Outside, the best farmers rule. But, wealth, especially polished gems, is the main signifier of wealth. They guard their territory rather jealously, not caring about any other kingdom unless those who decide to encroach upon their territory. Earth is hoping that their territory will finally stop being encroached upon by the metal kingdom, and people will finally see the importance of earth; it is the ground they are all standing on, after all. They don’t interact much with other kingdoms, and couldn’t care about much but their own territory. Earth is seen as a kingdom that sits on its wealth and guards it jealously, but is relatively unknown in the water and fire kingdoms. They’re hated by the metal kingdom, the air kingdom is indifferent to the people within (all they need is the mountains) and the others have no real opinion. But the fact they hold most of the gems, which all kingdoms have, even if in small doses, means all kingdoms have experience with them. Animal/Wood They share a forest territory, Wood having lived there longer and Animal having been forced to the trees as other element kingdoms expanded and both lacking the methods to fight back. They fear other kingdoms and try not to anger either. The wood people split their time among cities— loosely clustered tree houses and huts— with the tropical seasons, following the best fruits and some of the animals. They gather, mostly, trying to use the forest to its best capacity while not disturbing too much of the natural balance. The animal tribes move throughout the forest, following migratory patterns. They have intermarried, producing hybrids that have their mother’s dominant element in their magic. The hybrids live with their mother’s family, because that is where they fit better. Their fathers often live with them, as well. The power structure for both elements is determined by one simple method: who can walk through the forest while disturbing it the least rules. Both kingdoms want their space to stop being confined. If peace were achieved, then they could stop living in fear and travel out to lands they haven’t seen since they were practically exiled into the forest. They could also reach agreements to any mining of their lands from the metal and earth kingdoms, whom they feel are not respecting the forest properly. They are seen as the most primitive, and the weakest, of the kingdoms. While the wood kingdom can provide strong trees and good food, and the animal kingdom can hunt the most efficiently, they have kept to themselves so long and are so hard to contact that no kingdom knows their strengths and weaknesses. Not even metal can pinpoint what they do. Metal They live in the foothills of the mountains, having taken small little pockets they defend from other kingdoms. Families who have access gold, silver or steel battle for the most money and power. It depends on the winds of trade. As a merchant nation, they try not to ally their forces to anybody. They sell to all, and quality received all depends on how deep the purse given is. Less war means more alliances... but also means the kingdoms won’t need their weapons of war. But, because the use of metal tools has managed to permeate most of the kingdoms, the trade should only increase. They are in favour of the truce, especially open borders. Each kingdom would describe them the same way: notorious. They have a contact in every kingdom, no matter how secret, and no one kingdom is particularly happy about it. Metal knows how much the other kingdoms rely on weapons, or tools, or ornaments, and knows they are the main supplier of all. Animal, Wood, and Earth have their own wars with the kingdom, from metal scouting or even mining in their territory. Most believe they’ll stop at nothing to insure they remain the only supplier of metal among the kingdoms. The Present Day You are currently meeting in that former no-man's land, which has grown pockets of forest in what was once churned earth, has now been customized to hold every one kingdom in the most comfort possible. A stone castle for earth, fire and metal, a series of huts in a meadow for air, homes near the river for water, and tree houses for wood and animal. But this complex is walled, preventing anybody from actually interrupting the negotiations. And preventing escape without anybody else knowing. Every kingdom was expected to bring what they need to live their day to day lives. All negotiations are done within the castles, out in the courtyard on nice days, inside when the weather doesn't allow for outdoor meetings. Rules- - No sex scenes— romance is allowed, just don’t show the details if it gets that far. - Minimal swearing (no f-word in particular.) - Always remember your character(s) is/are primarily a tool to forge alliances with. Your parents/envoys will form alliances on your behalf, but you are free to form more on your own. - As an amendment to this, I reserve the right to act as any given parent/envoy to keep things interesting. Instructions will most likely be given in mass PM format, but some might be kept between me and the person who it impacts. - There are only room for 7 people in this SB. Each person may claim one element , and you may have a max of two characters within the same element. - The first character is predetermined. The second can be a sibling, child from another family, servant, what have you. - Try to keep characters between the ages of 16 and 24. This includes secondary characters you make. Most of the interactions done will be among this age bracket, and amongst the heirs. - PM all profiles to me (Rosey Unicorn) for approval. - Make all posts a couple of paragraphs, at least. Something for other players to base their next post off of. If you’re doing a dialogue exchange and aren’t sure how the other character would react, either start a PM chain or pad the post out and end it on the tricky bit of news. - Keep characters in character when interacting with them. If you’re unsure, reference the profile or PM the creator of the character. - All characters are critical to the plot (Killing anybody, even by accident, is grounds for war). Inactive characters will be made NPCs. You can pick them up when you get back (feel free to pm me [Rosey] for plot catchup). - With that being said, no killing characters (run by any attempts to kill characters by me). Characters Fire: Claimed by Rosey Prince- Dante Princess- Aurora Both fire kingdom heirs live up to the kingdom’s nature. Romantic, sensual and passionate, they follow their hearts and can be very flighty if they so chose. But, they can also be undyingly loyal if something, or somebody, has caught their heart. Water: Claimed by Isha Prince- Dai Prince- Hisao Both are bound to the culture of their kingdom, and are the most powerful in the kingdom, currently. Their powers secure their positions, but what they do with them depends on the person. Animal: Claimed by Audy Princess- Netis She was sent with the wood prince to show a united front between the two kingdoms, despite no engagement between the two (and no engagement likely in the future). Selected for her ability to blend in with any environment, her kingdom hopes she can handle this situation. Metal: Claimed by StellaThomas Princess- Cantara With the metal culture male dominated, she was sent to throw the other heirs off. As somebody not traditionally associated with the deals of the metal kingdom, the other kingdoms are less likely to see her as the notorious salesman other metal kingdom citizens might be. Wood: Claimed by Kyllorac Prince- Honovi Sent along with the animal kingdom princess, in part as protection, in part to represent one of the most powerful wood kingdom families. He knows the responsibility he has, being one of the first points of contact other kingdoms have had with the wood kingdom. Air: Claimed by Lauren2010 Princess- Resi With most of the men high-ranking men in the fields, an heiress was best to send for long-term negotiations. Her powers are still strong and she holds the same knowledge as a son, despite being more focused on cooking than growing. Earth: Claimed by JabberHut Prince- Saka Princess- Tréanna He is from the wealthiest family in the kingdom, and has been sent to give the future leader the broadest understanding of citizens of the soil as possible. He is used to living inside the mountains and being closed off even from the farmers of the earth kingdom. His sister is much more excited to be out and about. Profile template: Feel free to withhold things in the profile. The character can simply decide certain pieces of themselves don’t matter and don’t need to be known. Do keep in mind that each kingdom has grown used to war and is entering these talks weary, despite their opinions of the truce. You never know what others are thinking. Also, just as a reminder, this SB is permission only. Send me a fantastic profile and I'll accept, but until there is a little red "claimed by [user]" next to each kingdom, each spot is still up for grabs. You might be in competition for the slot you want, but if you express an interest in playing a certain character, I'll hold off on a final approval until I get all profiles. [b]Name:[/b] [b]Age:[/b] (Remember, must be between 16 and 24) [b]Kingdom:[/b] [b]Appearance:[/b] (Written is necessary, picture is optional) [b]Perception of other kingdoms:[/b] (This is personal opinion) [b]Perception of the truce:[/b] (This is personal opinion) [b]Powers:[/b] (Try to be as detailed as possible) [b]Specialties:[/b] (What they are particularly good at) [b]Skills they lack:[/b] (Things they are aware they don’t know or aren’t as good as other people. Can be things they sacrificed in order to have their specialties.) [b]Personality:[/b] [b]History:[/b] [b]Other:[/b] (Anything I missed) Finally, this is a political SB. If you're not sure some of what that entails, check out this article for some idea. PM me or post if you have any questions.

Honovi | On the Run

It only took one glance at the sprayed man's face to see that he was out for blood, so while the man's brother dealt with him, Honovi snuck over to where Temye was still perched on the back of a chair, snatched the skunk, and beat a hasty retreat out the nearest exit, which happened to be an open window. All the while, the skunk was in a right nasty mood, biting and kicking and scratching at Honovi, and he could only imagine how Netis would chew him out for manhandling one of her animal friends, but getting the skunk far, far away from any murderously stinky princes was the most important thing right now, and that's what he was going to do.

By the time he'd deposited the now sulky skunk at the Animal camp and made his way back to the Dining Hall, it was completely deserted, and he couldn't hear the sounds of any large groups of people nearby. Torn between panic, reluctance, and his sense of duty, Honovi considered going back to the camp and sitting out the no-doubt socially awkward dinner to come.

His stomach decided the matter for him.

With a deep, calming breath and a wrinkle of his nose at the lingering scent of Temye's sensational presence, Honovi slipped back inside the Dining Hall through the same window he'd left, making sure to heal the wounds his hasty retreat had inflicted upon the poor shrubbery beneath it, and set off through the hallways to try and locate the new location of the dinner.

He promptly got completely lost.

He was asking a servant for directions for the third time (the place was a MAZE) when one of the princes at the party strutted around a corner and stopped short in surprise. The surprise didn't last long, and pretty soon the man was strutting straight towards Honovi, a most charming smile on his face.

"Looking for the party?" he asked as he drew close, closer than Honovi was comfortable with, but he remembered something about some of the other kingdoms having a different concept of personal space and planted himself right where he was, even as he floundered for an appropriate answer.

"Maybe," he said, his voice way more squeaky than he'd like and Honovi kicked himself for sounding so unsure. He was supposed to appear confident and strong, especially the latter with how the other kingdoms saw his people as weak, and "Maybe" was so not a strong answer and...

The other man quirked an eyebrow, his smile shifting to something more amused than charming, at least, Honovi hoped it was amusement. "If you are," the other man said, "I am heading that way, myself."

"Then I guess I'll come with you." Ack! Again with the weak answers! If Honovi could've kicked himself without looking crazy, he would've.

At least the other man didn't seem to notice (or care) as he just nodded and motioned for Honovi to follow. Honovi did, and a moment later, the man spoke.

"Dante, of the Fire Kingdom."

Well, that was a rather abrupt introduction (almost rude), but it was better than no introduction and wait he was taking too long to reply...!

"Honovi, of the Wood Kingdom," he more blurted out than anything, adding on a quick, "Nice to meet you."

Dante flashed a smile at Honovi over his shoulder. "The pleasure is mine."

They walked along for another moment, Honovi trailing a little behind Dante, before the Wood prince mustered up enough poise to ask, "What is the Fire Kingdom like?"

"Warm," Dante said with a bit of a teasing tone. "Clay castles — much like this one — and lots of sun."

"And what do you do?" Honovi walked a little faster, so he would could see the prince's reactions to his questions.

Dante chuckled. "Whatever we love. Our passions can be... quite strong." The Fire prince smiled at the latter half.

"Really? How strong? And if everyone does what they love, who does the stuff no one loves?"

Dante flicked a hand. "Those who are forced to do what they don't love have hobbies. They devote quite the time to it. But I've only met people who dislike what they do in the noble circles." He rolled his eyes. "I don't understand it."

Honovi was thoughtful for a moment before replying, "From what I hear about what it means to be a noble, it doesn't sound like fun."

Dante shrugged. "I like debate, so I'm not one to talk." He glanced down at Honovi, asking, "And the Wood Kingdom?"

Not wanting to repeat the delayed introductions fiasco, Honovi said the first thing that came to mind, which happened to be, "There are lots of trees," and confirmed that today was just not a good day for talking to other people. At all. Honovi hoped the reply came across as witty because he certainly wasn't trying to be smart, though he wasn't trying to be dull, which his statement could be taken as but—

Honovi's mini panic attack was cut off by Dante's chuckle, and the Wood prince glanced up to find the Fire prince looking at him as if he wanted him to continue. So Honovi did.

"We live in a jungle, so there isn't much aside from plants and animals and people. But mostly plants and animals."

The Fire prince tiled his head to the side and asked, "Are they afraid of fire?"

It was Honovi's turn to stop short with surprise, and he quickly replied, "What? No! Well, maybe the Animal people, but not Wood."

Dante stopped and turned to look at him, an eyebrow raised, and Honovi explained, "Fire is a very useful tool, and various plants require the occasional forest fire to pass through as part of their life cycle. Without fire, those plants would all die out."

The Fire prince looked briefly shocked then smiled. "Quite glad to hear."

Honovi, puzzled by Dante's reaction, asked, "Why? What did you think we thought?"

Dante looked down at his hand with a chuckle. "Like many of the fire bloods. Fire destroys."

Honovi looked at the fire prince with a one-eyed squint. "Fire bloods?"

Dante smirked a smile, and Honovi wondered how he managed to do both at the same time. "Anybody with fire magic. Passion — fire — runs in our veins."

"So you're saying that many of your people enjoy destroying things?" Honovi looked horrified and vaguely ill. If most of the Fire Kingdom was really like that, it was not good. Not good at all. He would have to tell Mother (and everyone else) to be very cautious when dealing with members of the Fire Kingdom.

Dante shook his head and chuckled. "Far from. We love building. But, from childhood, we're taught what fire can do. An open flame can cook, or it can burn the crops."

"Oh." Well, that made sense, but he still didn't understand why Dante seemed to think that everyone was afraid of fire. He was about to ask more questions, but Dante asked one first.

"What about the Animal Kingdom?"

Honovi shrugged. "There isn't much to say. We live together."

"Then there is everything to say, because you know them."

Honovi was very confused by this point. "But I already told you about Wood, and there isn't much else to say."

Dante raised an eyebrow. "But you haven't told me what you do, or how your houses look. The weather."

"Oh." Honovi was fully ready to admit by this point that he was horrible at this conversation with people outside his people thing. "Well, we basically maintain the balance of the forest, make sure everyone and everything is living in harmony, and try to keep it that way. We either live in trees, or on them, or in tents when the animals are migrating. Except not everyone follows the migrating animals. And the weather is very wet. And dark. The trees don't let much sunlight through to the floor, so it's dark all the time."

Dante's shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I quite like the sun. But I suppose it's like living in a garden. A very wild garden."

"Especially in the canopy. You have to climb all the way to the top of the trees, and there's always the danger of falling, but the top is always bright with sun and the flowers. They're the most beautiful flowers anywhere in the world."

The Fire prince smiled fondly. "Aurora — my little sister — she'd love that."

Honovi grinned from ear to ear. "Maybe I'll grow her some flowers sometime. Flowers are my specialty."

Dante nodded, still smiling. "She'd be your best friend. She adores pretty things — designed some of the gardens in the Fire Kingdom palace."

Honovi's grin grew even larger. "My flowers aren't just pretty. They're also very useful."

Dante raised his eyebrow again, and Honovi wondered if he ever showed interest in other ways. "Healer's tricks?"

"Careful breeding."

Dante chuckled. "I mean, they're medicine?"

"Oh, yes, but I've come up with several improved versions that make for even more potent medicines."

The Fire prince nodded slowly. "Impressive."

"You really think so?"

Dante gave a nod. "Mind, I know next to nothing about medicine. Only that everybody must use it at one point."

"Oh," said Honovi, disappointment leaking into his voice. He had hoped that someone at this conference would be able to truly appreciate his work, and Dante had seemed to be that someone.

"If you can make it work better than what we have now, then that is impressive."

"Yes, I suppose." Some appreciation was better than none, he supposed. He quickly changed the topic, helped by the quietly insistent gurgling of his stomach. "So, you were leading me to the new location for the dinner?"

Dante chuckled and nodded. "The conversation was too fascinating."

Honovi replied with a straight face, "My empty stomach disagrees."

The Fire prince chuckled again and resumed leading the way to dinner. They didn't have much farther to go, just two turns down and there they were in front of the open doors, the mill of conversation trickling out into the hallway.

"Shall we?" asked Dante once they were in front of the entrance, and with a flourishing gesture, he indicated that Honovi should go in first. Honovi, catching scent of some rather scrumptious-smelling dishes, quickly obliged, and the Fire prince followed closely behind.

Now, to get some food....

Prince Saka | New Location – Dining Room

The Dining Room wasn’t as extravagant as the ballroom they were in before, but Saka gave them points for a timely switch. The room had already been cleared with the occasional table and chairs scattered around the walls. The buffet was still being set up, but the food was all nearly put out now. The guests were eagerly awaiting their dishes.

Saka didn’t approve.

He preferred sitting at the table and being served his three-course meals (five on a special occasion, and six on Tréa’s birthday). It was the proper way to go about dinner. The servants were paid to serve.

No one had told him it was a legitimate party, and he was quite finished being here. He spent most of his time putting distance between himself and the Metal princess, having run into only a couple conversations with other representatives—Someone ran into him? What?

“My apologies—ah, my dear prince.” She straightened from her bow, her finger tracing the glass in her hands. Her smile twitched at the sight of him, as if keeping herself from taking back her apology. “I was just headed to the tables which you so happen to be standing near.” Cantara looked to the tables curiously.

Saka forced himself to be polite in conversation, pretending as if they were starting over. Just for now, of course. The guests shouldn’t be getting any ideas of hostility yet. Yet. “Understandable. They appear to have quite a variety of dishes tonight.”

Cantara made a sly smile at him. She knew how to play the game. Saka had to give her some credit. “I highly recommend the lamb casserole, though I could very well be biased.”

“I’ll keep that in mind when I take a closer look,” Saka replied.

Cantara made a brief curtsy-nod-thing. “We will meet again, then.” She turned to leave, and just when Saka was feeling relieved, she turned around. “Ah, and you must try our cinnamon date cake.”

Saka’s brow lifted. “Oh, really?”

She made a shrug that may have looked cute to others but made Saka fume inside. “Just to keep things nice and sweet.”

Tréanna | Dining Room

She hummed to herself as she looked over the desserts. There were so many options, and she wanted to try each and every dish. It made her smile to see familiar dishes from home: pumpkin bread, ginger cake, potato soup – Oh, it made her so hungry.

Tréa reached for a delicious-looking cookie when her hand bumped into someone else’s. She withdrew quickly, laughing. “I’m sorry, I didn’t—Resi!”

Resi withdrew her hand as well, but the sight of Tréa made her smile. “Go ahead! I’m not quite sure what it is, but it looks delicious.”

Tréa picked one up and inspected it. “It looks like a sort of nut.”

Resi took one as well and bit into it, nodding. “Almonds, definitely. There’s cinnamon in there, too. And is that…?” Resi’s face scrunched a bit as she thought. “I think there’s a dash of lemon in that.”

“You’ve got quite the detective tongue.”

Tréa hiccupped at the new voice, and Resi also jumped, neither of them expecting the fire kingdom’s prince to reply from behind Resi. He smiled, a brilliant array of white teeth dazzling in the light. Resi cleared her throat, finishing her bite. “Well, I dabble in the culinary arts.”

“Oh, do you really?” Tréa asked, eyes wide. “What sorts of things do you make? I’d love to try some!”

Resi laughed, taking another bite – a bigger one, as if finding the cookie a new favorite sensation.

“You’re Aurora’s friend, then,” he went on to say.

“Oh, yes!” she jumped, then giggled. “Sorry, it slipped my mind. So much introducing, I feel like the whole world knows me now. I’m Tréanna! This is Resi of the air kingdom.”

“You both are certainly among the most exciting guests tonight,” Dante said. He took a drink of a wine glass he happened to be holding. “I’m Dante. I’m sorry to say Aurora’s excused herself at the moment, but she will most likely return. She’s not one to miss her dinner.”

“Oh!” Tréa said, her cheeks feeling a bit warm. Was it that obvious she was looking for Aurora this whole time? “Well, that’s alright. I’ll run into her later. Perhaps I’ll go find her. I feel sorry for not having finished my conversation with Prince Dai anyway. Resi, which of these desserts are from your kingdom?”

Dante smiled. “I can see how you two are friends with Aurora so quickly.” The two of them looked up at him. “I’d be most honored to ‘keep her seat warm,’ so to speak.”

Tréa and Resi both laughed as he flashed a charming smile. Resi looked at him once she composed herself. “We would love to have you join us until she returns.”

“You two are so alike,” Tréa said with a wide smile. “Perhaps—”

A hand landed lightly on her arm, and she turned her head only to run into her brother’s nose. “I’ll be going back to my room for the night.”

She looked up at Saka. “So soon? Have you eaten yet?”

“I’ll have someone bring up some food later,” Saka muttered. “This party is going in a direction I’m not fond of.”

Tréa looked at him curiously, but Dante spoke up. “You must be her brother, then.”

He held out a hand, and Saka looked at it before giving him a firm shake and nod. “Indeed, Prince Saka of Earth.”

“Call me Dante,” he replied with a brilliant smile. “I’m from the fire kingdom.”

Saka nodded an acknowledgment, then looked back to Tréa, giving her a stern look. “Remember what I’ve told you.”

Tréa laughed. “I’ll be fine. Eat some food before you go?”

“I’ve lost my appetite,” he said stiffly, his eyes glancing briefly in the direction of Cantara. “Good evening,” he added to Resi and Dante, then excused himself from the party.

They all watched him disappear in the crowd.

“You and your brother are just… not related,” Resi decided, looking at Tréa. “I refuse to believe you’re related.”

They both laughed at that, and even Dante had to join in. “The physical resemblance is uncanny, but the personalities don’t align at first glance at all. You definitely inherited all the charm in your family.”

Tréa laughed at that. “Oh, bother. Saka is way more charming.” He just doesn’t show it, obviously.

Dante chuckled. “Of course. You’d easily make a perfect ruler for your kingdom: charming and charismatic.”

Tréa’s smile faded, her eyes wide. “Honestly?” She exchanged looks with Resi then laughed at the absurdity, Resi giggling along with her. “I think the wine’s getting to you, your highness. That flirt was weak!”

“Oh, stick around, and you’ll find out how false that is.” He winked.

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