The boys’ treatments towards each other was rather interesting throughout the ride back to Xandar. Getting up from the table she’d hear that other people were going to get up but the only one who would end up following suite with her would be Rocket. Interesting… on occasion she’d try to talk to Rick only to have him rushing away from her spanking his butt and hopping down the hallway. Other times she’d go to ask Peter a question only to have him run past her down the hall without breathing a word. To say the least it was a weird experience but she was grateful to have Rocket and Gamora to talk to. 

Arriving on Xandar, Nikki stayed in between the Nova Prime and the Guardians but walked by herself. Her head was held high and she seemed to present herself in a different fashion then she did on the ship. Standing upright and tall, she held herself with a pose and grace one rarely sees; even her movements became smoother and more graceful, like when she was fighting or using her levitation skills except she was doing it with such poise that it became apparent that she was raised this way. 

The seven leaders of the [url=http://images.wikia.com/starwars/images/a/a5/Sephi-concept.JPG]High Council[/url] stood at the entrance to the massive building that housed all the regulations and meetings. The [url=http://th04.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2012/247/b/1/aliens_no_5___elgok_by_zarnala-d5dmqtp.png]elder of the group[/url] stepped forward, “Nova Prime, well done.” All the Nova did was nod and step to the side so that Nikki was now visible to the elder. “Princess Nikki Ivy, an honor.” The man said with a bow before speaking, “I am…”

“Lord Advicus Erebus, yes I know. My father spoke of you many times upon his return to our home planet saying that you were quite good at finding the balance in all the debates that were held within the council.” She said in an almost instant interruption but in a nice and respectable tone.

“So my fame precedes me…” He said with a small chuckle pulling himself up from the bow with a nod. “Your father was a great man and your mother was quite a gem. It’s an honor to have you here.”

“As you may be able to guess, I wasn’t exactly intending on coming by my own accord. Did you have something you wish to discuss or shall I be on my way?” She asked with a head tilt watching him closely.

“It has been known that someone in the universe has put a bounty out for you. The safest place would be for you to be under our protection…” Nikki shifted slightly in her stance showing some disapproval of the statement but Advicus continued on without much acknowledgement to her actions. “In addition to that, your father’s seat needs to be filled by someone of stature as a measure of balance of the council. We wish to have you take his place.”

“This seems to be a conversation I’d rather have in a more private location for I have some objections to the arrangements presented. Can we venture inside?” She said with a gesture.

A nod left the elder as he turned his gaze to the Guardians, “Your service for the princess is no longer required; you may leave.”

“Actually;” She said with some form of authority to her voice. “Seeing as you say they were in my service. They deserve payment. On more than one occasion they have saved my life. Instead of me working off my debt you have summoned and escorted me here; therefor my debt shall be repaid by you.” Her finger pointing to Advicus as she walked passed him with a small wave of her hand. “I expect to hear all their requests for supplies, food, money and shelter are met by the time they wish to depart. If I’m as valuable as you seem to make me, their time is surely worth their work.” With that she entered inside the building, head held high and authority placed firm. She expected the guardians to be paid for their time and a small glance over her shoulder shot Quill a pleading face, ‘please stay’ was all it said in the brief moment before turning forward and walking inside the long hallway.

---------------------

The council elders set around a table, Nikki standing at the edge of it as they spoke. “Her demands are not unreasonable.” One said. “But at the same time she wouldn’t be protected.” Another stated. “If she comes back for meetings it’s as if she lived somewhere else as everyone else does.” A third responded. “But she can’t be protected if she’s gone away; the safest location is for her to be here.” A fourth spoke up.

Nikki shifted slightly where she stood. Her outfit had changed, their insistence on her being unarmed left her feeling a bit empty but she couldn’t deny the comfort of her clothing. The black floor length dress with the train fit her nicely and her blue hair was pulled up into a high pony tail with sparkles in it. Her foot tapped lightly against the floor, unhappy with the fact that she was being completely ignored instead of included in the conversation. The council itself was made up of nearly 300 different species of aliens and they all worked to keep peace within the galaxy. The elders were nominated by the council members and the head elder elected from the elders. Advicus sat at the head of the table, taking in the idea of everything that was being presented; his four purple fingers tapped together as he listened closely. He was a wise man, nearly 150 years old and had been the elder for 100 of them. He was known to be wise, kind, understanding and will to work with anyone to make something right. “Please understand everyone; our fear resides on the Princess’s safety. That needs to be our top priority.”

“I appreciate that Elder Advicus,” Nikki said quickly before placing her hands on the table, “but none of you gave two shits about my planet when we were attacked; we sent for help but you wanted to remain natural. You had four years to find me and I personally dropped people off here at Xandar and now you suddenly care. Why is my safety suddenly a priority?”

“I have no explanation about how any of that happened.” Advicus said with a sigh sitting back in his chair with sad eyes. “Had I been the one to get the request we would have come but somehow it got overlooked. That’s no excuse I know, all I can do now is apologize and over you this safe haven.”

“And if I refuse said ‘safe haven’?” She questioned standing back upright and crossing her tan arms under her chest. 

“There’s not many ways around this Princess Nikki, please be aware that this is for the best and you really need to stay. You are safe here; no one can touch you and no one will get to you. Now… we have other matters to discuss. Those of importance in relation to your staying…” Oh, this did not sound good…