Post

Iammelon wrote:

There were certainly many Anubites watching the procession carefully, and it wasn’t hard to notice a few of the scribes already taking notes about just the style of the arrival alone. Their judgeful eyes watched and recorded all that they could see. Which was why when Feme happily took Otrysian’s hand to walk off to a more secluded area of the palace, the Rwim Guards moved to block anybody, Ghashyr or Anubite, from following the pair. Though this was mostly to stop the scribes, under Feme’s orders. They would have to make their notes based on what they had seen outside.
That in turn gave the two older royals some privacy. The location Feme had led him to was a private interior garden, a purposefully peaceful and empty place within the Rwim Palace complex for when one of the royal family needed a quiet place of contemplation. Of course, that wasn’t what Feme had in mind here, as she quite happily hugged Otrysian back and giggled with glee as she was spun about in the air, something that would’ve surprised most who knew the generally rather stern diplomat. Once put down, Feme smiled and chuckled as she looked in Otrysian’s eyes, “I see you still have plenty of energy left in you, even if you should take better care of yourself. It really has been too long. And if only we had more time for ourselves…” She held his hands tightly for a moment, before speaking again, “I have my ways, of course. Like this time now, I wanted to catch up when I heard about the invitation. Technically my nephew is ready to meet with you now, he doesn’t exactly have business that overrides this in terms of importance, but I created this time before then so we could speak. Selfish, perhaps, but I really needed this. Hopefully the same goes for you.”
She stepped back and sat down on a small bench towards the center of the garden, surrounded by beds of flowers, and she patted the section next to her for Otrysian to sit down on, while she spoke more quietly, “I would go to Astana more often, but it gets harder and harder to manufacture reasons these days, and it always gets the courtiers talking. And my nephew can’t afford that sort of murmuring… But that’s not worth dwelling on. Come, sit. Just enjoy this moment.”

The weathered prince scratched his head feeling awkward, but obeyed the command "Damn you Feme, so many years and you still make me feel like a young fool around you ...alright here it goes. I didn't come here for the High Lord, I came here for you. See, you deserve far more than I could ever provide all these years, and I have to finally act... Ahh ..hmm, alright." He rose back up and kneeled bringing out a small golden dagger, cutting his hand only a little and offering to the Anubite lady "How would you like to come in Astana not as a visitor but as my rightful wife now and forever? I know, I know ...too late, so if you don't want to marry me, I will understand" so he said with an awkward smile, trying to hide his terrible anxiety.

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Iammelon wrote:

Zenos remained quiet after his question, just clasping his hands together and waiting. His eyes kept themselves locked on Sofya as she moved her head, and stayed that way as she began to unleash her feelings. The Emperor was doing his best to stay calm and just listen to what Sofya was saying, and there was a moment of quiet after she finally finished.
That was finally broken when Zenos stood up, walked over to Sofya, and hugged her. He wanted to make sure she was feeling a little better before he finally spoke to his daughter in a more somber tone, “I am sorry, Sofya. I won’t pretend to understand everything you are going through, but I want you to know that I am listening. You are my daughter first, and a princess second.” He pulled back a bit so he could look Sofya in the eyes as he continued, “What I do understand is that it is not easy growing up to become a ruler and yet having no input. My father did much the same with me, setting up most of my life, including the marriage to your mother. I didn’t appreciate a lot of the things he did for me until much, much later. Still, I hoped to have been a bit better, but it seems I have to do more. I am not here to judge you like some stuck up Anubite scribe or stuffy priest, I am your father. We can work this out, and we can start that right now.”
Smiling, Zenos stood up and sat back down in his chair, sighing, “I’ll start with a small apology. I did not know how difficult it was for you to grow up on Shyr. That’s something I can’t pretend to understand, since I grew up here, on Instabull. I’ll be honest with you, I find them weird as well. I’ve talked about that with your mother, in fact. The Ghashyr are a very different people to Zantines, in a number of confusing ways. Even having been with your mother and interacting with them for a very long time now, there are still things about them I don’t quite get. But there is a reason I persist and try to understand. It is our obligation to help them to become better, as we are some of the few who can possibly do so. Iammelon didn’t start so great either, but it was made great by the Zantine Empire helping the people of the Nebula and banishing the ways of the Eskalivi from it! And that took time. People don’t get better in a day, and the Ghashyr in particular lack the good things we know. Take your friend and guardian Appa, a Taurus. It is a privilege to grow up alongside another species in common kinship. The Ghashyr do not get to do this, not most of them. Don’t hate them, Sofya. As for the Zantine Empire… You sound like your uncle Basil.” He smirked as he mentioned him, “And he is both right and wrong. We have fallen on hard times, and it does look desperate. But…”
He paused for a minute, clearly thinking, and then smiled, “Actually, no. Before I explain further, I’m going to ask you something first. As the future Empress of Zantium, Sofya I, what is your plan for the realm? Be honest, nobody is listening. What I want to hear is your real opinion, not any rehearsed statements as we have both done so often.”

Sofya begun crying and sobbing, but soon she was smiling through the sobs "Thanks dad, thanks for understanding ..I do not hate Shyr, not really, but my emotions get the best of me and I hadn't had enough time to choose what I want to be. And while many expect me to be a Talmyr, I don't think I will be a good one ...Max would do much better, he really gets Ghashyr. But I know what I want to do and I will tell you!" the young princess clapped her hands in excitement and took a very formal and truly serious expression while looking her father in the eyes "Our Empire will not survive under any union. It is the old union! Everyone knows what happens to old institutions when the new ones take over ...but I will not allow it. Help me to conquer the nebula's hearts for you father, I swear my heart beats for this empire and I hurt seeing it in decay!" she backed down a bit speaking in a more sinister manner "I am talking manipulations the likes only our empire is capable of! Guns and spaceships are useless ..no, we saw what those did in the civil war. What we must do is be there replacing the Union in everything! We must not let Javalus and its cronies even a single duty! Zantium will be there carrying the burdens of the entire Nebula and then everyone will remember what this crown and symbols mean."
Her eyes seemed struck with ambition as she pointed at an old flag "Give me the abilities father and I will force Zantium to stretch thin in protection of the entire Nebula ...every disaster will be met with a Zantine response, every cry for help, we will be there! Even if it kills our economy, we must do it, or we'll end up another province of the union" she thought a bit to herself and giggled "Heh, I'm keeping that for the Freeforest speech ...if you allow it of course! Please dad! Please allow it!" Zenos was witnessing the infamous puppy eyes returning! The last time was for a trip to Tropicus with a rather untrustworthy boyfriend type.