Young Writers Society

I found it hilarious that as soon as they all sat down, Erson was like "hey let's step our for a minute". And I feel like that was intentional judging by how Alkset reacted to it and how the other two reacted and like. Maybe it was only the first step in Erson disrupting Alkset's visit. XD

So Alkset is actually very cooperative! There wasn't much negotiation at all here, which is amazing because there almost always is some amount of bickering during political negotiations. But Alkset seems pretty lenient, though there still seems to be little wiggle room in regards to Buck's father. When it comes to the trade arrangement, though, I feel like... well, she could still have something up her sleeve for when they discuss later. This is clearly just a lunch and not meant to discuss heavy matters yet, so I may be jumping the gun here. The juicy part of negotiations could still be coming.

Especially considering we don't know what Erson said to her outside the meeting room. That could easily turn things around on Buck and Pires if they're not careful.

I'm very curious about this council, and I'm very wary about Erson jumping the gun already and saying he'd join, but I think he's seeing it as his opportunity to make the difference he's hoping to make. But being the cautious person that I am, I am suspicious as to what this council is planning to do and why Alkset might want them to join. Perhaps she simply values their opinions and wants them to be a part of a peaceful organization as an ambassador role or even a global organization of some sort. It's all really unclear and I feel like the discussions later will shed more light on what exactly Erson would be getting himself into.

I was totally with Pires' skepticism here, and also in her defense, she has a duchy to run. Which is a great point because it seemed a bit presumptuous of Alkset to assume Pires would be able to join them as well since she clearly doesn't have her own children or anyone to take over for her. Which only further concerned me as to what exactly is up Alkset's sleeves or what this council is going to do. Considering it's her only real request here in this negotiation process, it must hold a lot of value for her and her home country to have at least Erson join them.

Anyway, it's all speculation at this point because not many details were given here at all, but they're clearly coming and my brain is SO curious as to what is going on.

I was majorly happy to hear that Alkset was so willing to have Buck see his father again. The fact that she offered it herself is actually huge, like his father isn't really that far out of reach if Buck is allowed to see him again. But it does sound like Alkset doesn't have a ton of leeway here either because they value Buck's father too much to allow much more freedom in this area. Still, while his father may still be held "prisoner" over there, he's allowed visitors, and that alone is a huge opportunity for Buck.

Also, I'm not gonna lie, I totally wondered if Simone was going to be on one of those dishes at the end. Like a scene in Disney's The Little Mermaid, where Sebastian ended up being on one of the platters and Ariel's like quietly shuffling him onto her own plate. XD BUT Simone was purposely handed off to someone else, so whew. XD

Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening/Night(whichever one it is in your part of the world),

And I'm back for the next part.

First Impression: Well...that was less exciting than I expected although the fact that it wasn't exciting was probably a good thing for Buck in general which is great. Pretty surprising stuff there with Buck's father.

Anyway let's get right to it,

Pires nodded vigorously and beckoned for Alkset to follow her into the palace. Buck and Erson fell in behind them, awkwardly looking at each other and then looking away. Pires lead them all to the small meeting room, where the cook was going to be bringing their lunch. They’d thought about taking Alkset to the banquet hall, but that seemed like too much of a song and dance for a plan that was to include no singing or dancing on Buck’s part.

Buck chuckled slightly. Obviously, she was going to go along with the suggestion of royalty, especially if that was who she was here to see. But if she’d forgotten momentarily that she was in the presence of royalty, and not three awkward, bickering teenagers, he could sympathise with that.

“He’s stopped farting every time I speak,” Buck said, “I think peace is a bit of a stretch. Didn’t you hear about our, uh, argument?”

Pires cleared her throat. “Well, what we’re hoping to get out of this on the Resadorian end is a working trading relationship between our two nations. We understand why this would not have been appropriate in the past, and we hope to change the Boriasen understanding of our people. All our people, that is, not just Resador.”

“Four heads of state so far,” Alkset said. “It is currently supplemented by some nobles as well, so until it expands significantly we probably could take you both on.”

“I would honestly love nothing more than to join your council,” Erson said. He smiled widely, properly happy, like Buck hadn’t seen in weeks.

Buck’s eyebrows shot up. “Uh… well, I guess my father might have taught some people?”

“Yes, he did. In fact, these days he’s my best friend, and I thought you might like to talk about a reunion with him,” Alkset said. She glanced at Erson briefly, who nodded ever so slightly, but didn’t look at Buck.

“Don’t worry,” Buck said, “I understand.” If she was his father’s friend then there was every chance she already knew about the hastily smuggled Simone – in fact, maybe everyone did and that was why his father wasn’t to be allowed back any time soon. Still, on the off chance she didn’t, he wasn’t going to get his father in any more trouble than was necessary.

the double doors to the room were opened by a pair of young palace guards, followed by the beaming figure of the head cook, Claunene. He was a tall, lanky olive-skinned man with multicoloured stains all over his uniform. He dragged along a small cart with one shelf at waist height and another down at ankle height. On it was a huge platter of curry, the smell of which whooshed towards them as the guards closed the doors again. Buck grinned even as he pictured Simone darting in and diving for the food.

Buck smirked at Pires, raising one eyebrow. He wondered if maybe next meal Claunene might be allowed to venture for something more complex than a basic curry. Maybe, if he played his cards right, he’d even get to sing at some point.

I'm back!

I totally intended to do this yesterday but got distracted, I'm sorry.

Pires lead them all to the small meeting room, where the cook was going to be bringing their lunch.

As soon as they sat down at the wide stone table – Erson and Pires on one side, Buck and Alkset on the other – Erson leaned across and said, “Alkset, could I have a quick word in private?”

But if she’d forgotten momentarily that she was in the presence of royalty, and not three awkward, bickering teenagers, he could sympathise with that.

“He’s stopped farting every time I speak,” Buck said,

“Excellent,” Alkset said. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. I think it would be worth discussing matters in more detail for a few days, but this is a brilliant start. Thank you, Pires, for making this happen.”

Pires smiled too, and said, “You’re very welcome. I’m glad that we’ve managed to move past my father.

“Yes, he did. In fact, these days he’s my best friend, and I thought you might like to talk about a reunion with him,” Alkset said

“Don’t worry,” Buck said, “I understand.” If she was his father’s friend then there was every chance she already knew about the hastily smuggled Simone – in fact, maybe everyone did and that was why his father wasn’t to be allowed back any time soon. Still, on the off chance she didn’t, he wasn’t going to get his father in any more trouble than was necessary.