[center][img]http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2014/069/e/9/throne_concept_by_tyleredlinart-d79na9h.jpg[/img][/center] [color=f26522][h2]Suzume[/h2] The castle was a beautiful one. Not many could say they had seen something like it; it was perched upon a hill, overlooking the broad expanse of vibrant-colored land that spread out beneath it. The exterior was a glimmering white so bright that one may even say it was made of smooth ivory stones or scales. Watchtowers rose up around it, stretching towards the skies, their roofs appearing as if it was piercing the sea of azure above them. The interior of the castle was made of the same material as the outside-- curved entrances to rooms added a graceful twist to the stronghold and a variety of plants rested in pots in several corners. One might say that the fort was a bit too pale-colored, if it weren't for the banners that lined the walls. Russet banners hung from the ceilings and walls, gracefully tumbling down towards the floor. In the middle of some of the silk banners was a golden silhouette of a crested bird Pokemon with its wings spread and talons outstretched. The marble flooring reflected the bright hues of the standards. It was a splash of color, although delicate, that brought the castle to life. The mess hall, however, was ten times as decorated as the rest of the stronghold. The large room was lined with tables as always, but five large ensigns hung from the ceiling; one was colored white, with a lithe-looking light blue Pokemon sprinting across the field; another's field was silver with a winged, ivory-colored bird Pokemon curling inwards with its wings outstretched; one banner was colored gold, with a red, rearing maned Pokemon silhouette whose mouth was gaping and fangs were exposed; another was like the other banners lining the castle, crimson with the golden shadow of a bird Pokemon. Many people and their smaller, well-behaved Pokemon were in the mess hall, where the campaign was being held. A great variety of food lined the table-- most of which was based of Phoenician foods. Different types of raw fish, especially sushi and many types of seaweed, rested on several tables. Roasted Octillery and Tentacruel were cut up into pieces of different sizes, their poisons properly removed before they were served. Qwilfish were also presented on shiny, decorated platters. Rice made up a majority of the meals laid out before the volunteers. There were potatoes, radishes, yams, and other foodstuffs that looked absolutely scrumptious, especially to the Argentians and Phoencians. Along with the more oriental food, there was also meals that delighted the others; seared Stunfisk and roasted Slowpoketail, roasted Bouffalant, Miltank and Tauros tails and feet, roasted Grumpig, and more. Many Pokemon had died just to feed them for one night. The blonde-haired woman chomped on a rather crunchy sushi roll which was filled with tender Krabby meat before downing it with sake. That had been the best sushi Suzume had ever tasted... which was expected of royal chefs. She had stayed more to the Phoenician side of the mess hall, although several of the soldiers had begun to mingle and mix. Some were rather friendly towards another, mumbling greetings and exchanging smiles. Others simply went over to the other side of the hall to peer at the foreign food, the adventurous ones picking at the meals they had never tasted before. Her earthy brown eyes simply watched them, staying to herself and only offering frowns and wary glances. She didn't trust anyone that wasn't on her side. Even though they were going to work together, they could still turn on each other. [i]"Bre."[/i] Suzume looked up to see a pair of violet eyes gazing at her expectantly. Her Umbreon, Mauve, had rested his paws on the table to get a better look of his surroundings. And of course... to ask her for food. A crooked smile came onto her lips as she held up another piece of sushi, this one filled with Crawdaunt meat and leeks. The Dark-type quickly devoured it and licked his chops, his tail swaying in a content manner. She quietly waited for the emperor to make his announcement about the plans he had for this "campaign". Honestly, she didn't expect everything to go according to his plans.[/color] --- [color=a187be][h2]Wyeth[/h2] A laugh escaped Wyeth's lips as Ciel tore into his plate, scarfing down more than half of a seared Grumpig in less than a moment. The laugh was a weary one; he couldn't really tell his Luxray to stop. Not to mention that he deserved a good meal before they set out on this journey. He wanted the memories in the Phoenician castle to be happy and fond ones, not one full of stress as he tried to control the black-maned beast. The Luxray growled in pleasure as the man stroked his thick fur, his crimson and gold eyes flicking up to him for a moment before his ear twitched and he tucked back into his meal. Wyeth's violet eyes wavered as he looked at the other food that was presented. The thought of eating raw fish made him feel sick to his stomach, but the Argentians and Phoenicians appeared to love it. [color=8493ca][b]"I guess that's why they smell so bad,"[/b][/color] he whispered to Ciel, who simply lashed his yellow-tufted tail. Wyeth was never one to insult or be rude, but he felt like a dark joke or two at times would lighten the Fulmi's mood. He wasn't sure what the relationship was between Fulmion and Phoenicis, but judging from the looks he got, he didn't think that they were on good terms. [i]Jeez... I wouldn't have come if I had known that the others would have daggers for eyes.[/i] Wyeth sighed, already exasperated with the situation. He wouldn't be surprised if a fight broke out before the end of the meal. His long fingered plucked a leg from the seared corpse of a Combusken. As he sank his teeth into it, he realized that the meat had been cooked to perfection. He expected the Pokemon to be tough and wiry due to being a Fighting-type, and on his farm, the meat was always dry and flavorless. But this was different. What he wouldn't give to live in a castle like this...[/color]