Hazel stepped forward, her brown hair was covering half her face as she kept her head bowed. "Please excuse our discourtesy, Hazel Vermette a princess of Gippsi offers a flower from our ancestor tree." Hazel didn't look up as she offered the palm sized blue magnolia.
Ashton reached for the flower, how interesting. Until Ashton laid eyes on Hazel, he hadn't known they also had a national beast. "I accept your offering in the spirit it is given, I offer you this in return." Ashton pulled out a quill carved from a mana stone and ten booklets.
Hazel jolted when the items landed her in palms, after a nod from the Beast of Pride, she opened the first booklet, inside were instructions but before she could reed anything she was surrounded by flames.
Ashton let out a small chuckle as he pulled her up, flames curled around her body teasingly. "Well, aren't you just too adorable?" Ashton asked as he gave her a quick peck on the cheek. Seeing her sparked a memory long past… white feathers falling on his face as a young bird chirped happily about all they had not yet seen. Yes, the more he looked at the little flower, the clearer the memory became. Someone had always wondered about these flowers. Would seeing one with their own eyes not be best?
Hazel squeaked as she was let back down, clutching the books to her chest as she blushed. She immediately bowed her head to let her hair cover her entire face. Without a word she scurried away as the beast laughed. She hid behind her guards.
(Feel free to come to me anytime little flower.) Ashton sent the thought to her directly, she didn't respond but he wasn't worried. Perhaps a visit to Gippsi in the near future was in order. There may be a whole garden of flowers to see… even if he was alone now… there was always the future…
Zane nearly jumped out of his seat in astonishment, while it had only been a peck… something about Princess Hazel had greatly improved the beast's mood. Zane shared a look with Rommel who was also examining the plain, unassuming, neglected princess.
Rommel glanced around, they weren't the only ones now appraising the Gippsi delegation.
"Frighten the flower, brave a beast." Ashton warned lightly glancing over the inquiring crowd.
Zane immediately withdrew his gaze, he shared a look around the table and even Melia looked mildly surprised.
"Come up priest," Ashton reminded as the rest of the Gippsi delegation looked like frightened rabbits. The priest who was at least seventy looked as if he already had one foot in the grave and would die of fright, but he stepped up.
Alexei gripped the priest's arm as he bowed, the old man was sweating and nearly lost his footing. "Peace old man," Alexei nodded to another guard who stepped forward to assist them.
"Many thanks chief warrior," The priest steadied himself, then offered the box up with shaky hands.
Alexei helped hold the box up, Ashton's smile was so amused Alexei wasn't sure how to react. He kept glancing at the priest… this wasn't exactly his idea of amusing.
Ashton accepted the box, inside were three seeds. Ashton shook his head in amusement, "Hopefully my gift isn't too much of an imposition." Ashton half laughed as a feather landed on the horrified priest's head.
"Ma-cough, cough, cough,"
Before the priest could finish, he sounded as if he were coughing up a lung. Ashton's stomach trembled from his effort to keep from bursting into laughter. His blessing was clearly to help the priest stay sturdy and healthy for years to come… truly an interesting bunch.
Alexei had the warrior escort the priest to a seat and get him a warm cup of tea. Alexei hoped the slightly younger mage wasn't so… delicate. "Mage?" Alexei prompted.
The mage kept a dignified, imposing aura as he stepped up with a graceful bow. "The mages of Gippsi offer the great bird of pride, a token of friendship. Know you are always welcome."
Ashton accepted the pouch, tea leaves with a heavy concentration of mana no human would be able to endure. "I accept the token, should Gippsi require aid, simply think of me while holding this token." Ashton let a small orb with a tiny silver fire fall into the mage's hands.
"Fly strong and free," (I do hope our little show did not offend you Great One.) The mage sent the thought as he bowed and stepped away.
(Not at all, as a … diametrically opposed beast I find Gippsi highly intriguing. Call upon me if you have need.) Ashton promised as he glanced at the guards. The four guards each presented a different kind of flower tea. Ashton blessed them each with enhanced reflexes as well as protection until they returned to the Gippsi capital.
Alexei watched Ashton watch the Gippsi delegation with clear amusement. "You've taken quite the liking to them." Alexei commented as they started to follow the Seibel delegation to greet Lucian.
Ashton grinned, "They smell… homely." Ashton watched as Seibel presented Lucian with an enchanted sword, it was a cheap replica of what he'd given Theodore, but still dangerous to any mage or enchantment below the fourth tier.
Alexei watched, his eyes narrowing. The sword looked eerily similar to the dagger Theodore carried, with a quick glance and nod from Neolani his suspicions were confirmed.
Ashton forced himself to keep a straight face as Princess Hazel, in her plain pale green dress handed Lucian… flower tea. He couldn't help reminiscing about the gifts Gippsi had given Seibel when he'd been crown prince. At the time, he'd always found them endearing but pitiful. Now… well, clearly, they'd presented pearls before swine all these years.
Lucian didn't dismiss the Gippsi princess right away, he continued to look her over. She was a trembling, shivering, plain mess. Lucian deliberately opened the pouch of tea leaves and smelled them… nothing stood out. "Why did Ashton kiss you?" Lucian finally demanded.
Princess Hazel jumped when Lucian addressed her, teers threatened to spill over. She opened her mouth.. but wasn't sure what to say. "I, I uh, we…" When a burst of flames separated her from Lucian she jumped back, right into Mage Payton.
The collision would have also toppled Payton had two guards not jumped to steady them. Payton helped Hazel stand up straight as the silver flames were like an impenetrable curtain.
"Little Flower, come sit and eat." Ashton called with a slight smile, half a dozen Inago escorted the delegation so Hazel could sit at the table with the other royals and her escorts were seated not far away.
Lucian took a deep breath before he turned his gaze to Ashton. Jaxon was already signaling guards to investigate the princess when the fire vanished.
"Lucian, pick your battles wisely." Ashton warned before he grinned down at the confused children. "Ahh Little Flower, seems I've created quite the predicament for you."
Hazel was sitting stiffly, hands on her lap. She shook her head vigorously, "N, not at all." Hazel's hair was starting to stick to her forehead from all her sweating.
Ashton decided to stop teasing her, "Prince Zane, a barter?" Ashton asked turning his smile to the others.
Zane had been making a considerable effort to not stare at the Gippsi princess, so when his name was called he jolted, "What did you have in mind Young Song?" Zane asked focusing his attention.
"Let's see, I want you, or specifically the Adar delegation, to protect the Gippsi delegation," Ashton informed with a sly smile.
Zane leaned back, "I see, can I ask… what we will be protecting them from, and for how long?" The request was incredibly broad…
"Hmm, only during their stay in Smyrna, and… only from the humans. You are more than welcome to enlist others to your aid." Ashton offered glancing over the rest of the tables.
Zane thought the matter over, they'd all already been promised protection so long as they didn't commit any shameful acts. "And, what are you offering for such a favor?"
Ashton tutted at Zane, "Prince Zane, we are negotiating," when Zane understood the implication he grinned, but covered it quickly.
This was basically a blank cheque, but also like paying for how good food tasted. "Can I ask for payment later?"
Ashton grinned, "Of course. Now, before anyone dies today…" Ashton added glancing to the Seibel delegation. "Give me the journal."
Terrence tensed; he wasn't sure what journal the beast wanted… "Everyone empty your luggage. Curtis inspect any storage items." He ordered specifically to his personal mage before any of Theodore's people could protest.
Theodore paled, "Terrence, he's not even a fully grown beast, where is our dignity if he can just take something," he protested looking around.
Ashton only tilted his head to the side, Lucian's group had all tensed at his announcement. No need to… let others move secretly.
Terrence stared his brother down, "I gave you an order, prince Theodore. Gregorio, if anyone disobeys they are to be detained until we return to Seibel and His Majesty King Sherman decides their fate. If they resist… kill them."
Theodore was shocked, Terrence had never dared openly threaten him because of the queen, not to mention Theo still had significant support even after he was deposed as crown prince. "You wouldn't dare." Theodore stated firmly.
Ashton let out a laugh, when everyone turned he gave a sly smile around the garden. "Crown Prince Terrence wouldn't have to. If you still have possession of that journal, by first light not even your body would remain."
Theodore stumbled back… even after Alphonse died… no one had taken him so lightly… not even Emperor Lucian. "Threatening a member of royalty could be seen as an act of war."
Ashton only smiled, "I am not so petty."
Terrence glanced to Young Song, "May I ask… why you want this journal?" Terrence made sure to keep his tone respectful.
Ashton gave Terrence an approving smile, "First, I don't want Smyrna to have it just yet. Second, I plan to merge Alphonse's heart with the journal. Third, it will significantly decrease Theodore's influence with other nations. And fourth, well… while Alphonse didn't die with any regrets there was a gift that was never passed along."
Terrence took a moment to settle the information, "Did you… know Alphonse personally?"
"I believe there are few who knew him better. Now, the journal." Ashton reminded holding his hand out.
Terrence filed the information away, then turned back to Curtis and Gregorio, "No one leaves until it's found and given to the Beast of Pride." Terrence ordered sternly.
Theodore gritted his teeth, his mother warned him this might be a trap and to not bring the journal… but he'd never thought someone would just brazenly demand it. "You'd stoop so low as to steal?" Theodore demanded deliberately clutching his storage ring.
Ashton frowned, "I tire of this, Crown Prince Terrence, do you give permission for me to have the journal?"
Terrence shivered at the frosty tone, "Of course, please consider it an offering from Seibel." To his surprise the beast didn't stand, but he opened a rift and reached in.
Ashton withdrew a clear marble that slowly but rhythmically pulsed with light. Ashton held it in the palm of his hand, then it floated up and shot toward one of the inconspicuous guards. The guard tried to dodge but it pierced his chest plate to expose a storage ring on a necklace.
The ring floated up then broke into more than a dozen pieces, all of the items spilling onto the floor as the marble then shot toward a locked box which also broke. Everyone stared in awe and horror as the outline of a man formed, then stepped outside of the box.
Theodore stumbled back, it was as if Alphonse was made of strings of light, his features were clear for all to see. Alphonse was even wearing the same outfit as when he died. The figure barely glanced over Theodore before walking toward Terrence. The journal was in his left hand, while the marble was floating where a heart should be.