[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/LjFjyMp.png[/img][/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/A0ETWbS.png[/img][/center] [sub]banner credit to [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/hellis]Hellis[/url][/sub] [hr] [b]Time: Present Day Location: Ville D’Ys, Faerie Realms[/b] [i]Ville D’Ys[/i], as a city expanded the walls and crevices of the vast underwater canyon deep beneath the waves in the Faerie Realms. Princess Lassantra’s illustrious family ruled over the city and territory for generations, having come close to losing the city less than a decade ago. Now, with renewed relations with other water fey territories and backed by the Earth Fey’s support, brokered by The Ambassador, the family’s rule rose to prominence once again. Crushing opposing nobility in their wake. The city itself was bursting with life, all manner of water breathing Fey lived from the top of the cliffside down to the widened roads and stone buildings. The older dilapidated stonework was abandoned and in some areas reused then worked into newer architecture. The water fey themselves resembled fish to some degree. They sported large bulbous eyes, scales, fins and webbing. Some moved to catch the colourful light emitted by the lichen moss, the water fey controlled the moss growth directing light where it was needed. The colours were muted in the environment but the locals made up for it well in their colourful scales, hair and skin. Among Mandate’s limited talents, being a weight was perhaps her greatest, in her humble opinion. She was, after all, extremely talented in the art of being heavy. With a twist of that internal sense of weight, she could out-mass any living being that she could recall quite easily. And so, it was with great joy that she embraced the role of anchor; with a step and a [i]twist[/i], she was 300 pounds heavier, rooting herself and her companions firmly in the world beneath the water, revealed by the wondrous glowing moss. And what a world it was! Mandate had not expected the water to be [i]empty,[/i] of course; she had the distinct impression that there was quite a lot of life hidden within the murky blue, not-quite-memories of glimmering scales and fluidic shoals. Rather, she had not expected it to be such a combination of [i]vibrant[/i] and… Mandate tilted her head, and considered her choice of words. [i]Dreary.[/i] It was not dead in colors, nor in liveliness, but it felt… Dark. But that was silly, there was plenty of light from the moss! An interesting diversity of luminescence, glinting upon scales and flesh, and upon her own mercurial form. Maybe it was the darkness above, pressing down upon the light and stone, as if it would snuff out the long-lasting works at the first opportunity. Mandate was not afraid of the dark, nor of losing the breath she did not have, but it was an uneasy presence that marred a breathtaking -again, if she had breath to take- experience. Of all of the eerie features of this watery realm, from the statues to the looming cliffs and smothering darkness, it was the fey she minded the least. [color=LightPink]”They’re wonderful, Miss Ambassador.”[/color] Mandate murmured into the water, though even she could not hear it properly; the sound was smothered. Regardless, it felt like a good choice of words. They inspired wonder, with their lurking dance in the gloom. Some were but shapes, beyond the range of the luminescence, but others were thrown into vivid detail by how their scales caught the light, and Mandate idly considered some of the strange things she saw. She wondered, without malice, in what shapes the pretty things would break. The patterns of their destruction. Cracking, crumbling, fragmentation? Mandate diverted her stare before it could become impolite, and held onto her thoughts for later examination. She would ask Miss Ambassador! More wonders awaited them further along, though they were only new to Mandate herself. The magic at work when they breached the water was but one of them, and Mandate spent a moment to peer curiously at the Ambassador as the water left her form as if it had never been there, whilst her own weight receded to its default. The marvelous architecture around them sent her imagination dancing in search of meaning, and her head flicked to and fro in a constant scan. More questions! Perhaps the most mixed wonder at work was the one whom Miss Ambassador clearly seemed to know personally. It was mildly interesting, to see such casual shifting of shape in front of her very eyes, but Mandate approved of her clothing choices -or lack thereof. What did a stronger being need it for, anyway? A fellow demonstrator was always welcome. And with the following demonstration of intimacy, Mandate’s approval was somewhat shaken, mostly by a twinge of confusion. Her head tilted as she observed the greeting, and reconsidered Princess Lassantara. More precisely, where she stood in Miss Ambassador’s wise eyes. She must have been close indeed, to be greeted so warmly. Mandate’s sharply-tipped fingers twitched as she recalled the warmth of lips upon her own metallic face, gentle and almost unnoticeable in pressure. An offering of camaraderie and shelter, protection and understanding. It was a special feeling. Observing the soft greeting and graced by sounds she could not interpret, Mandate was left to contemplate a somewhat familiar -and yet new- feeling. It escaped easy explanation. It was a desire for… Proximity? Yes. Mandate nodded to herself, hoping that she was not expressing approval to something that had been said. She wished to be close. She hoped that she was close. Princess Lassantra was greeted in a similar manner to how she had been welcomed into Miss Ambassador’s care, and the manner in which they stood and behaved spoke of clear intimacy, so perhaps this was a good sign, as much as it muddled her emotions. That reassured her, somewhat. Soon enough, however, the moment had passed, and they were on the move again. As much as the golem wished to lag behind and observe every facet of this underwater world, the urging of Bach kept her moving at a fairly steady pace. Soon enough, Mandate was left to wait with even less for company; simply herself, her thoughts, and Bach. With how little she had interacted with Miss Ambassador’s other companion, it may as well have simply been herself and the ever-so-interesting walls. [i]I should talk more with him. I’m sure he has interesting things to say as well![/i] Nonetheless, the mercurial golem remained quiet in her vigilance. Bach leaned against the wall, his pipe tucked into the crook of his arm while he rooted for his herbs. He found them, various seeds spilling out of his pocket while he held a small dark green knot. He stuffed it into the pipe the best he could then pulled out a little booklet of matches from his jacket. Lighting it, he took long drags expelling a sweet smelling purple smoke around himself and in the hallway. “[color=darkseagreen]Might be a while before we see them out of there. Oracles are notoriously vague. You’re probably bursting with questions, huh Mandate?[/color]” Bach began, the golem towered above him. His yellow green eyes tipped up to observe the singular red eye. “[color=darkseagreen]I can answer them the best I can.[/color]” He puffed away on the pipe, always an educator at heart. Mandate turned to observe Bach almost as soon as he had begun to root around, her eye unblinking as it all but burned into him with its gaze. It was not something that Mandate could particularly help; her gaze was intense by nature, and without a lid, it could not be reduced. The offer of conversation was unexpected, but not unwelcome. She perked up, the neutral line of her mouth becoming its usual V of a smile. She tilted her head to and fro, considering her questions. What was first and most important? Humming softly, Mandate intertwined her fingers in front of her chest. [color=LightPink]”If I crush one of our underwater friends with my hand, will they bleed and die?”[/color] she murmured curiously. It was important to know these things, she reasoned. Bach paused mid way through a puff, processing the question. He slowly exhaled then replied, “[color=darkseagreen]We haven’t the chance to test your strength yet but…[/color]” “[color=darkseagreen]They would most certainly bleed quite a bit then die a slow and painful death if you were to crush them, Mandate. The flesh of their bodies would slip away given enough time and as all Fey return to their original forms. Fey are born of magic, spirit and sometimes a little dust depending on who you ask. Water Fey would possibly dissolve back to the water where they spent the majority of their lives.[/color]” Clinically breaking down his thoughts, his tone chillingly casual as he spoke of death. He tapped the bottom of his pipe resettling the ashes of what he had already smoked. “[color=darkseagreen]Haven’t personally observed a water fey die. Their autopsy reports are fascinating.[/color]” He noted. “[color=darkseagreen]Next question.[/color]” [i]Fascinating[/i] was a good word. Mandate’s fingers twitched as she visualized the process described, her niggling curiosity refusing to fade. Seemingly-normal flesh just dissolving away... [i]I want to see it.[/i] Miss Ambassador would probably be upset with her if she indulged her curiosity, and the thought stilled the golem’s twitching fingers. [i]Maybe she’ll let me, soon I hope![/i] In the meantime, she rolled other questions around in her mind. After a time, the golem nodded to herself and continued. [color=LightPink]”What was Miss Ambassador saying, earlier? I didn’t say anything, but I could not understand.”[/color] She hoped her voice conveyed how much this disappointed her; she enjoyed Miss Ambassador’s speaking by itself, but she enjoyed understanding it even more. It let her roll the words around endlessly in her head, to be analyzed and admired, and the words often made her feel warmed. “[color=darkseagreen]They were talking about what My Lady wanted from speaking with the oracle. They were speaking in Common Fey.[/color]” He said, then clarified, “[color=darkseagreen]The language most commonly known and used by Fey. You have heard us speak in Common Fey before, Mandate.[/color]” Light shone beneath the door of the Oracle’s room and caught his attention briefly. [i][color=darkseagreen]There better be answers with that ridiculous light show.[/color][/i] His attention turned back to Mandate. “[color=darkseagreen]Fey speak many different dialects and languages. I have learned a fair few of them.[/color]” He paused thinking of the exact amount and losing count almost immediately when he dipped into just the Earth Fey dialects and dead languages. He shook his head, leaves falling around his shoulders. “[color=darkseagreen]Too many to count.[/color]” Mandate tilted her head, wondering upon his words. Her response came fairly quickly, joking and light in tone. [color=LightPink]”I think I’m good with math, Mister Bach. I can help you, if you want.”[/color] In truth, his words were off-putting. If there was truly such a great diversity in fey language, then what was she to do? She desperately wanted to learn, but it sounded like more than she could handle in a reasonable amount of time. How would she know what her dear friend was saying, when it came up? Mandate immediately followed her small quip with a true question. [color=LightPink]”Would you be okay with translating for me, Mister Bach?”[/color] He drew on his pipe again and exhaled, chuckling a little. A little honesty would do well for Mandate, build some necessary boundaries. A notion he was sure Odette would not object to. “[color=darkseagreen]You and I have a lot of time on our hands. We may not know the logistics behind your creation Mandate, but you are built to last. Perhaps one day when we have time I can teach you Common Fey. Translation, however, is strictly up to My Lady. She has her reasons for not translating everything she says, often to save time and not to repeat herself.[/color]” He looked to the golem again and noted her intense curiosity. He wondered idly what the other half of what the golem was thinking or feeling. Her genuine expressions ranging from the whole spectrum of emotions sometimes the change was subtle, but he (much like Odette) paid a great deal of attention to Mandate in her significant pauses. Bach could read a human’s expression easily enough, their past traumas or memories easier to read than a book. Mandate’s trauma resided in those moments of silence. Well out of earshot Bach and Odette would brainstorm numerous scenarios of how Mandate came to be. Until the golem spoke openly of what happened, they only had their guesses and clues. He had paused while he collected his thoughts, “[color=darkseagreen]Trust My Lady will tell you everything you need to know.[/color]” He smiled, it was a well practiced one. No warmth could be seen behind them. Immediately, Mandate nodded. [color=LightPink]”Of course I trust Miss Ambassador!”[/color] Although it was impossible for the golem to smile any wider or brighter, her tone had noticeably shifted. It was bright and just as earnest as ever, her hands fiddling together as she focused upon Bach. It was easier than it had been at first, brushing over the mention of the methods behind her ‘birth’, but it still pulled at her thoughts. She would tell her dear and only friend when the young human needed to know, but… But she didn’t. Mandate nodded decisively to her own firm thought, and diverted her attention momentarily to contemplate speaking in such strange and beautiful ways, ways that she could not understand. She could roughly interpret some of what she had heard in Miss Ambassador’s beautiful city, but every aspect of fey language was lost to her unearned past experience. It would be a new joy, without lingering familiarity. Speaking of the fey… [color=LightPink]”Mister Bach, when did Miss Ambassador meet her friend?”[/color] Bach nodded, an easy smile. “[color=darkseagreen]I’m not sure My Lady would appreciate my sharing of full details but… I can tell you she has known her friend, Princess Lassantra for a long time. [i]Very[/i] good friends-[/color]” The doors creaked open again swinging open outwardly. Odette emerged out from the curtains of green, while Lassantra trailed behind her. Bach bowed a little, then spoke in English. “[color=darkseagreen]My Lady, Your Highness. I take the meeting was successful?[/color]” Lassantra responded in English as well, a heavy accent. “Yes. We learned many new things. The three of you are staying for the evening.” Bach lifted his brows a fraction then looked to Odette, she stared back. “[color=darkseagreen]Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness. We are honour-[/color]” Lassantra cut him off by walking past him while gently guiding Odette. “Yes, you may be honoured. Time for dinner.” She flashed her serrated teeth at Bach, a playful expression. Bach knew Lassantra disliked him, all he really could do about it was to tolerate her. “[color=darkseagreen]Come, Mandate. You don’t eat… do you?[/color]” He asked, having never seen her eat a single thing. Mandate’s gaze followed the princess as she moved past the golem’s spot along the wall, curiously examining her once more. If she was a very good friend of the Ambassador, then that meant that she had to be tolerated and understood, she concluded. She seemed almost nice. Turning her head towards Mister Bach, then back towards the princess, Mandate spoke. [color=LightPink]”I don’t, but I can pretend I do if you want double servings, Mister Bach!”[/color] she cheerfully failed to whisper as she followed dutifully after the Ambassador. She was always ready to help in the little ways, after all. Besides, if Mister Bach didn’t want her servings, then she would simply have more to tear apart and look at in the meantime. The thought of examining fey foods put a metaphorical spring in her 500 pound step. They followed behind the two women, Lassantra was happily chattering away to Odette in Common Fey. The Ambassador smiled pleasantly enough, the glances she shot at Bach were telling. She wanted nothing more than to slip away and discuss the details she learned with the Oracle. Odette glanced up at Mandate, smiling softly at the golem hoping to reassure her good behaviour. They arrived to the massive dining hall, the long exquisite stone table adorned with glittering silverware, centerpieces overflowing with organic plant life and bursting with colour. Ambient light glowed from within the centerpieces, casting the colours further outward. The Princess sat at the head of the table, The Ambassador sat to her immediate right while Bach was on the other side across from Odette. Odette gestured to Mandate to sit beside her. The plates were currently empty but a clap of Lassantra’s hands and busy wait staff appeared pouring water in polished stone goblets while preparing sweet wine in another glass for them all. “[color=thistle]Mandate, won’t you please sit with me?[/color]” She asked, sweetly. [color=LightPink]”Of course, Miss Ambassador!”[/color] Mandate chirped with a tilt of her head, all too happy to comply. She was somewhat wary of her size getting in the Ambassador’s way, but managed to seat herself without too much trouble. Her eye seemed to have trouble finding a place to settle; one moment she would be focused intently upon her dear friend, and the next she would be all but boring a hole into the plant life from the centerpieces. Finally, she seemed to settle upon the silverware. [color=LightPink]”Your home is lovely, Princess Lassantra.”[/color] she announced, distracted by the silverware she now delicately clutched in her hand to bring closer to her face. She had decided against breaking anything irreplaceable during the walk, and so did not attempt to bend them as she wished. Instead, she gently tapped them against the surface of her eye, then resumed her examination once she was apparently satisfied with the sound. For the moment, the staff were ignored, and her questions were filed away. Perhaps she could fire one at the princess, if she kept being nice enough. The golem found it difficult to determine such a thing, when most of what she had initially heard from the fey had been in words she could not understand. It was a cause of consternation, but not insurmountable. Lassantra settled her chin in her hands leaning on her elbows, mouth curled into a devilish smile at Mandate. The Ambassador remained neutral, casting her eyes over to Mandate as well. The Princess acknowledged Mandate, “Thank you, golem. My home [i]is[/i] lovelier still, nothing compared to our dear Ambassador.” Odette supplied, “[color=thistle]Her name is Mandate, Your Highness.[/color]” Lassantra paused then asked, “Mandate of what?” Mandate very carefully avoided crumbling the silverware in her fist. Instead, she set it back down upon the table, roughly attempting to return it to its original configuration before simply leaving the tools be. For lack of anything sufficiently sturdy, her hand beneath the table instead squeezed at the air. [i]Mandate of nothing.[/i] She did not voice the thought; it was an unintelligible thing, confusing without context that she was unwilling to provide. [i]Nothing and no one.[/i] Princess Lassantra did not deserve to know the entirety of her name. Miss Ambassador did, and since she did not object, she presumably wanted it shared. [i]Leave the remnants. Embrace this self.[/i] What a strange thought. But enjoyable. Mandate’s mouth, which had firmly reversed its configuration into a frown, slowly melded back into its usual v of an expression. It was more difficult to speak than it was to shatter bones and peel apart a girder. [color=LightPink]”Oh, that’s just a part of a silly name, Princess Lassantra!”[/color] She spoke to the fey, but her gaze was focused upon Miss Ambassador. [color=LightPink]”It’s very long, and I don’t like it, so Mandate is my name.”[/color] [i]Hesitation upon the threshold is weakness.[/i] An echo. [color=LightPink]”Would you like to hear the silly name?”[/color] “[color=thistle]I most certainly would.[/color]” Odette said, intrigued for more clues. Her thoughts of the Oracle going on pause, momentarily. Noting again the subtle shift in Mandate’s demeanor. “[color=thistle]If you wish to share it.[/color]” Bach noted the shift as well. Lassantra however was oblivious. Mandate straightened up in her seat, and clasped her hands together. [i]Wear it with pride.[/i] Not an echo, that time, but a reminder to herself. It was no longer her name, she had chosen that for herself. There was no reason to shy away from something that no longer mattered. [color=LightPink]”I couldn’t say the silly name myself, but it translates as,”[/color] she began, pausing to make a noise as if clearing her nonexistent throat, [color=LightPink]”Indomitable Enforcer of the Divine Mandate!”[/color] she finished proudly. Slowly, her hands released their pressure on one another. There was no pride in the ‘silly name’ itself, but in what it stood for; the fact that it no longer existed except in her mind, carved into her awareness. Like a reminder stapled to her very souls, which she had adamantly scribbled over with her own little name. Something smaller, simpler, truer to herself, but without forgetting herself. Something that was [i]right.[/i] “Strange. Very strange.” Lassantra replied, her little attention pulled away again. Odette and Bach stared at Mandate then shared a glance together. “[color=thistle]Thank you for sharing that, Mandate.[/color]” Lassantra carried on, the food beginning to be served she leaned back in her seat resting her chin on the palm of her hand. “My Lady Ambassador picks up the strangest morsels. Tell me, are there are any tasty morsels in your life right now? Men, women, others…?” She glanced at Bach and the earth fey pulled his lip at her in response. “I suppose not?” Odette levelled a glare at Lassantra, the food served before her. Steaming, strange looking fish. Bach received a pile of berries, leaves and an assortment of salad. He began idly picking at the food watching the exchange. Calmly she cut into the meat, “[color=thistle]I feel like you hardly need the reminder, Princess. The reason why you and I don’t talk about my personal relationships.[/color]” Lassantra grinned devilishly again, “Please remind me, remind [i]us.[/i] I know how you love to share your private life.” Odette all but bristled at that. “[color=thistle]If I may, I’d be more than happy to remind you.[/color]” She replied, the grip shifting on her knife. Her teeth chewing at the inside of her cheek. Lassantra’s smiled wavered at that. Mandate, who up until that moment had been mostly engrossed in her continued fiddling with the silverware, perked up as the Ambassador’s words registered. Things had gone somewhat silent, the princess no longer seemed very amused, but the golem was more intrigued by the idea of learning more about her dear friend. “[color=thistle]The last time we talked about [i]boys[/i] was when you were in Paris.[/color]” She paused chewing through some fish. Sipping the water before continuing. “[color=thistle]Thomas, I believe was his name. Another tasty morsel as you put it. We had a fight, I cried on your shoulder then mysteriously Thomas wound up at the bottom of the Seine. Drowned. Autopsy reports later reported his [i]heart[/i] was ripped clean from his chest cavity. I was investigated, forced my hand to cover up the murder and promptly dealt with months of fall out.[/color]” She said glaring at Lassantra then her expression relaxed slipping back into neutral within a blink of an eye. “[color=thistle]My apologies for being so frank, Princess. Please forgive me.[/color]” Lassantra held her smile but snapped her fingers. The serving staff froze in their tracks. Odette straightened staring down Lassantra, the tension noticeably increasing. Bach in turn stared at Odette. The playful veneer Lassantra exuded disappeared. Lassantra’s hand shot out gripping Odette’s wrist like a vice, long dirty nails wrapped around. A low guttural hiss in her native tongue. Bach stood up with a clatter of the silverware. Odette remained still, not breaking eye contact with the Princess. There was no hesitation on Mandate’s part. Even as distracted as she was by processing the Ambassador’s interesting little story, she had been more than capable of reading the rising tension in the room. Lassantra’s hand latched onto the Ambassador, and anger sparked. Mandate did not fully register the act of standing, only that she had stood with enough force to rock her chair back, and her hands had somehow found themselves imbedded in the table from the force with which they had been slammed down. Her silverware and plate were both scattered with an echoing [i]SLAM,[/i] the utensil which had been in her grip now a crumpled ruin. The silver plates upon her head, her ‘mane’, bristled, sliding against one another with a low ring. Her singular eye did not leave the princess, a deep and unwavering orb of crimson. She waited. Lassantra’s pitch eyes scaled up at the looming golem, her hissing ceased immediately at the noise. The only sound now was Mandate’s bristling mane, tinkling on. Only then did Odette smile. “[color=thistle]Princess, my wrist please.[/color]” Lassantra let go of the human, staring up at Mandate. She knew so little about golems, her instincts were going haywire with fear. The emotions flitted across her face. “[color=thistle]I believe dinner is over. Princess I do thank you for your help today, but may I give you another reminder?[/color]” The Ambassador asked, her tone icy. Lassantra finally tore her eyes away then stared at Odette, nodding. “[color=thistle]Please remember who it is you owe your throne and city to.[/color]” She said cupping the Lassantra’s chin, running her thumb across the slick skin. Leaning close she whispered, “[color=thistle]I expect your oracle to continue searching for more answers. I want you to give me detailed reports uncensored and complete. Do you understand?[/color]” Lassantra snuck another glance at Mandate shivering, “Yes, My Lady.” The tension stretched on, Bach occasionally looked between the three watching for more signs of trouble. When she was satisfied Odette released Lassantra and then stood from her chair. Finally looking up at Mandate, “[color=thistle]You can relax now Mandate, I am safe.[/color]” It took a few moments for Mandate to comply. She was… [i]Angry[/i] in a way she had not felt in awhile. It was not the monstrous mixture of sensations that was her [i]birth[/i] moment, but it prickled at her. It tightened her fists involuntarily- or perhaps made the action entirely voluntary in her short-sighted wrath- and built a scream, ready to be unleashed in righteous anger. But comply she did. [i]Miss Ambassador is safe.[/i] Slowly, she extracted her fists from the table, uncurling them to allow the shattered silverware to fall to into the hole. The clattering was almost deafening in the silence, and Mandate took a moment to appreciate the fact that her fists were as unmarred as ever. [i]Should I apologize for breaking her things?[/i] The spark returned. [i]No.[/i] [color=LightPink]”Yes, Miss Ambassador. Are you okay?”[/color] The golem peered down at her self-appointed charge, concern lacing her tone as her eye finally left the shaken princess, dismissing her as a threat. She would be broken if the Ambassador was hurt, but she was not a present threat. Odette lifted her wrist, red marks where Lassantra’s fingers were. She tsked, “[color=thistle]Marked, but unharmed. Mandate, do you understand what happened here?[/color]” She gestured to the Princess to emphasize her meaning, “[color=thistle]Between the Princess and I?[/color]” Mandate’s mane had just begun to bristle again when the question caught her, the building fire guttering out as she tilted her head. [i]What happened?[/i] She did not reply immediately, determined to wrap her mind around the question and answer appropriately. An internal debate raged, and so many of the answers sounded correct. The progression of events was laid out cleanly. A request, an answer, an altercation. A [i]near-altercation[/i] she corrected herself, then paused. Yes, it had stopped. The princess had been scared from doing something stupid. A dusty corner of her Self answered the rest of herself, an intermixing of several trains of thought. [i]Control?[/i] Mandate straightened up after a firmer moment of thought, and answered. [color=LightPink]”Lassantra was angry. She was going to do something, but she didn’t. She stopped.”[/color] Mandate’s head tilted to the other side for a moment, before she nodded. It felt right. [color=LightPink]”She was scared. Because you’re in control, Miss Ambassador?”[/color] Her contemplative tone had shifted at the end, becoming something eager. She desperately hoped that she was correct, and had earned approval. All the while, the thought roiled in her mind. [i]Is Miss Ambassador a queen? She scares princesses in their castles. She must be; she owns a city.[/i] “[color=thistle]Excellent, Mandate. Well done, there is a little more to it. The game the Princess tried to play since our arrival.[/color]” She smiled up at Mandate, then she turned back to the Princess. “[color=thistle]Entering my personal space without my permission. Dismissing you with little acknowledgment-[/color]” Lassantra began to protest then Odette cupped her chin again squeezing her cheeks, “[color=thistle]My companion, therein an extension of insulting her [i]Guest[/i].[/color]” Odette continued without pause. “[color=thistle]Provoking me, pushing my patience with more probing questions. Princess Lassantra attempted to keep this dinner off balance by asserting herself, asserting a [i]control[/i] she knew she never had. Even among allies, one can never be comfortable.[/color]” Colour touched in the water fey’s cheeks, humiliation washing over her. “[color=thistle]I was prepared to simply weather the previous slights and continue the game. Lassantra made the first move by losing her temper. She lost.[/color]” Letting go she turned her attention back to Mandate, “[color=thistle]As you put it simply, Princess Lassantra is scared because I am in control. Her attempt wasn’t terribly subtle but an attempt nonetheless to regain some control. Does that make sense, Mandate?[/color]” She laughed a little into her hand, hiding her smile, “[color=thistle]Politics, it is all so [i]silly.[/i][/color]” The Ambassador’s laughter provoked a giggle from Mandate, her hands brushing together to remove the last clinging bits of the table from them. Her earlier rage -bordering on a murderous wrath- had boiled away as if it was never there, replaced by the soothing voice of her human friend. Her stare flicked from her hands to Lassantra, then back to the Ambassador. [color=LightPink]”It’s very silly, Miss Ambassador. She should always be scared; you’re a queen, right? You own a city too, after all!”[/color] Mandate’s voice bordered on a chirp, as pleased as she was by the opportunity to share her thought process. It struck her as perfectly logical, and she did not care to speak to Lassantra at the moment. Odette giggled again at Mandate’s comment. Lassantra’s blush deepened. “[color=thistle]No, Mandate. I am an Ambassador. Queens and princesses, much like everyone, bend to [i]someone[/i]. Bach, Mandate it is time to go home. We have another ‘Queen’ to tackle together.[/color]” [i]I’m good at tackling.[/i] Mandate did not say. She was fairly certain Miss Ambassador did not mean that form of tackling. Although if she did, the golem was certain that she would be the best at it; she had several advantages over most things when it came to matters of tackling. Shaking her head to remove the idle urge to tackle Lassantra, the golem turned her attention back to her friend. [color=LightPink]”Of course, Miss Ambassador! Will we walk again?”[/color] she queried, tilting her head. It had been fun, to see the depths, but Lassantra seemed upset at the moment. Maybe it would be best to take another path? Her thoughts roiled for a moment, echoing with impressions of ambushes and terror, before they ended decisively. [i]The Princess knows better.[/i] It was Miss Ambassador’s decision anyway. “[color=thistle]A portal. It was courtesy that we approached the way we did, portaling into someone’s dining room is inappropriate. Especially of someone with such high esteem as the Princess.[/color]” Another look at Lassantra, the Princess shifted her eyes to the ground. “[color=thistle]Until your next report, Princess.[/color]”