[h2]R H I A , A L E J A N D R O , & E L I A S[/h2] [hr] [INDENT]“Doesn't he though?" Rhia commented, giving first Elias and then Alejandro a wicked grin. "I think he does it on purpose," she teased, knowing Alejandro put a great deal of effort into his appearance. — — Alejandro laughed at Rhia and Elias’ comments, and part of him was slightly surprised to see a hint of the Elias he had once known show through his otherwise stoic facade. “Oh, but you flatter me,” he replied mischievously, giving them a nonchalant look. “I merely, ah, dress to my [i]tastes[/i]. Which, as I am sure you are both well aware of, are quite...colorful.” He threw the two of them a cheeky grin. He then turned to Dafni, beaming. “And [i]you[/i], of course, look even more incredible. Though you have my sincerest thanks. Flowers [i]are[/i] quite nice, no? Even on chitons.” Another cheeky grin. “I am doing quite well. There is [i]gorgeous[/i] decor, good food, and good company. I do hope that you and Prince Elias are doing well, too?” Alejandro felt Elias’ eyes on him as he talked to Dafni. He gave the other prince a sidelong glance, a nigh-on imperceptible arch of an eyebrow-as if to say, [i]well[/i]? — — Elias nodded. “In other words, it’s on purpose.” Dafni looked at her brother, expecting a smirk or something, but instead being met with his serious straight-line. Elias closed his eyes at the chiton comment. He could remember the looks he got when requesting that fabric, then leaving it in Alejandro’s room for him to figure out. The Pólemesian prince had always assumed Dafni had taught him, though it seemed a bit strange a thought now. Alejandro was clever. He could have figured it out on his own. But seeing him in it…dear gods. Dafni smiled. “We are doing well, yes.” Elias nodded, catching that look. “Yes,” he simply said, leaving it at that. — — “I think chitons are less about the fabric and more about the legs,” Rhia commented, bringing to mind the various times she’d seen Elias in one. “That and what you can get away with for the pins.” The last time she’d been to Polémos she’d had fun with the latter. “Actually, Alejandro, I bet you could pull off a chiton. It’s not an easy look, but you’re good at pulling off...well, just about anything.” — — “I am glad to hear it,” he said to Dafni. “Is this your first time in Aciras? How do you like it so far?” Alejandro then turned to Rhia, beaming. “Now, now, you are [i]much[/i] too kind,” he said, giving her a dazzling smile. “As for a chiton, well...Prince Elias was kind enough to help me find one in floral print, when I visited Pólemos a couple years ago.” He winked. “Chitons, I believe, are one of the most excellent forms of clothing on this planet. With high heels as a close second, of course.” — — “Oh no, heels come in first. Back me up here, Dafni - there are many patterns which allow a person to show a little leg, but there is nothing quite like a good heeled shoe.” Rhia leaned into her words with a passion. She didn’t always wear heels, but a good pair of heels could make or break an outfit. — — Dafni laughed. “I’m an athlete. I live in sandals and sneakers. Tennis shoes, some people call them. But I dunno, I’ve seen Alejandro here in heels but I do not remember the chiton incident.” She gave her brother a look. “You wouldn’t happen to have proof this occured, would you?” Her brother cleared his throat. “Uh, no, no I do not. Not on me, at least.” Dafni frowned slightly. “Hmm, pity.” She looked at Alejandro again. “And as for your question, Alejandro, yes, this is my first time in Aciras. Elias’ too, I do believe. You know, you promised me we’d go see fashion shows at some point, and yet you never invited me to any. And yet, I sent you a ticket to my very first Olympics like you asked. Had to convince my father that one extra guard was not necessary considering we had Elias with us, and you’ve had the good fortune as well as the [i]misfortune[/i] of seeing him in action.” Elias cleared his throat again, shaking his head. “[i]Not now, Dafni,[/i]” he said in Pólemesian. She merely shrugged it off. He saw no good in bringing up the first assassination attempt on his brother’s life, the one that gave him two of the three scars on his face. — — Alejandro let out a huff of laughter. “Well, you have a point,” he said to Rhia, grinning, “though I suppose the…[i]versatility[/i] of chitons is what makes them appeal to me, personally.” [i]And the fact that they are[/i] very[i] easy to remove, I suppose,[/i] he added silently. He shot Dafni a sheepish smile. “Well, I would love to see a fashion show with you, but unfortunately fashion month has already passed. Come to Portaya one day, yes?” He furrowed his brow, slightly. “I don’t know if you would rather see the Spring/Summer shows or the Fall/Winter ones. Women’s Fall/Winter is usually during early spring, so maybe you would prefer that? The weather would be warming up.” He winked cheerfully at her, breezing over the last bit of Dafni’s reply, as well as Elias’ subsequent lapse into Pólemesian. “Let me know when you’re free.” — — “I say choose based on how much skin you like seeing,” Rhia advised. “Winter tends to feature more jackets and coats, longer sleeves, pullovers, stuff like that.” She flashed a self-conscious smile, but she knew those she talked to well enough to be comfortable continuing. “I like the ladies’ shows better, to be honest. Sure, the lads are hot enough, but you can do so much more with women’s clothing — and the models are gorgeous.” It was an open secret that she swung both ways, but she wasn’t always comfortable confirming it. “If it’s your first time in Aciras, I can show you around a little,” she offered. “Or rope Lea into it. We’re cousins, and I know she won’t mind. Beneath all the talk of clothes she’s got some interesting depths. She’s got an animal sanctuary that’s actually a lot of fun, if you don’t mind getting a little dirty. Or you can look from a distance, I suppose.” — — Dafni pouted. “Mmm, well, I have no use for long sleeves in a country that only sees cold weather in the mountains towards the north, so I suppose it would be best if I saw the Spring/Summer stuff. Besides, Pólemos is hardly one to shirk away from a little…bodily exposure.” “Almost nudity,” Elias deadpanned. His sister rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Besides, colder weather could be fun considering I’ve…never actually seen snow. Though it is a little odd to show summery stuff when it’s cold outside, don’t you think?” The talk of animals made Dafni turn her attention even more towards Rhia. “Animals?” She laughed lightly. “I’m an Olympian and I’ve completed military training. I think a little dirt won’t hurt me.” She nudged her brother, almost spilling her tea. “You should join us.” Elias blinked. “Only to protect you.” “Since when have I needed protecting? I can hold my own. Besides, you need to lighten up. Maybe holding a baby goat or something will cheer you up.” He merely shook his head. “I am fine watching.” Dafni made a hand gesture as if brushing him away. “Ignore him. He’s been almost boorish these last few years. I’d blame Prince Sunshine over here but I know it isn’t his fault.” — — Alejandro gave the two siblings and amused look. “The point of the couture shows is to display what the fashion houses will have for the upcoming season,” he explained. “So Fall/Winter shows are in early spring, because they’re showing pieces designed for the, well, fall and winter of that year. And Spring/Summer shows are in autumn, because the pieces are meant for the spring and summer of the following year.” At the mention of Lea and animals, Alejandro laughed out loud. “[i]Darlingest[/i] Lea is a big fan of animals, yes,” he said-the understatement of the year. Alejandro himself knew that he was one who would be more than happy to simply watch from a distance...animals had a habit of mussing one’s hair and ripping one’s clothing, to say the least. And then...Alejandro would have stiffened at Dafni’s next words, had he been the type to react to things the way a normal, sane, not ridiculously sparkly and/or outrageous person would. [i]Princess Dafni is on very dangerous ground, here,[/i] he thought to himself, darkly. [i]It would be wise if we did not linger on that...topic.[/i] And so Alejandro steered the conversation in a different direction. “What are the animals like in Pólemos?” he asked, casual-as-can-be. “I’d imagine they are quite different from those in the area surrounding Lynston.” — — Dafni nodded. “I suppose that makes sense.” She frowned thoughtfully. “I dunno,” she said honestly. “I hardly even think about them, the animals around us. There are lots of stray cats and dogs in Agrios, not that I don’t wish I could find them homes. But there are a lot of birds. We hear them all the time in the olive groves. Believe it or not, [i]flamingos[/i] are natives. Big ol’ pink things. They’re great. Stupid, but great. Maybe that’s why I never understand the hype over lawn flamingos. I see too many of them at home.” — — Rhia picked up on darker undercurrent in the conversation, but she skimmed past it with practiced ease. “Flamingos, huh? You know, if Alejandro wasn’t such a peacock, I could see him as a flamingo. Bright, vibrant...noisy.” Laughter danced in her eyes. “Elias, I think you’re more...hmm. Ah! I know. A moose!” Elias suddenly looked at her with murder in his eyes. “Take that back.” Dafni laughed. “Shan’t!” Rhia’s expression told him she was only half-serious. “Consider the following: moose are huge creatures. They look all stern, but mostly harmless—” “Oh I assure you, Rhia, I am plenty capable of harm,” Elias interrupted sternly. “—but they’re actually quite dangerous if you rile them. Just like you.” Rhia’s expression softened. “Are you really so bothered by the comparison? Moose are majestic. Have you never seen one?” Dafni couldn’t stop laughing, and Elias gave her a look. “No I have never seen a moose.” “I can’t help but picture antlers over your head now oh my gods,” Dafni wheezed. Elias narrowed his eyes at her. “I think I’d prefer a wolf comparison.” “Wolves run in packs, Elias. And they’re not serious enough,” Rhia interjected. “But [i]Elimoose![/i]” Dafni exclaimed. Elias groaned, setting his plate and cup down on the nearest horizontal surface and holding his face in his hands. Dafni laughed and laughed. “Elimoose! Elimoose!” she teased, earning her quite the glare and a string of Pólemesian curses. “Alright, Dafni, take it easy.” Rhia hadn’t realized the sister would take her comparison and run with it, though perhaps she should have. She’d always thought a younger sister would be less wild than her brothers. Dafni forced herself to breathe, shaking her head. “I’m sorry, that’s hilarious. You’d better be grateful Stefanos isn’t here to use that one against you.” Elias gave her a look but picked up his plate and put a random piece of food in his mouth to keep himself from talking. — — [i]Elimoose, is it?[/i] Alejandro thought to himself, idly, chuckling as Dafni, Elias, and Rhia argued over what animal Elias would be. Elias’ reaction, however, was not at all how he would have reacted five years ago. Alejandro leaned back in his seat, slightly, taking a sip of tea. “Well, [i]I[/i] for one am perfectly fine with being a peacock. Or a flamingo,” he said with a laugh, even as he surreptitiously studied Elias as the other prince started eating again. In that moment, Alejandro could feel the weight of all the words that had yet to be said hanging between them, but he brushed it aside. They would have plenty of time, later. — — “Well, I know that [i]I[/i] am a bloody unicorn,” Rhia declared with a smile. “Bright, majestic, and with the ability to stab anyone as needs it. Also attracted to lovely ladies. Fits me to a t.” Dafni nodded. “That’s fair. I’d fit that too, except I think I’m more of a pegasus. I mean, they seem so much more playful. Unicorns tend to be serious or make people think serious things. Pegasi, though, are energetic and athletic and who wouldn’t want to fly?” — — Alejandro had been searching for an opening to confront Elias about...about, well, what needed to be confronted, when Lea Lynton gave him the perfect opportunity. She turned towards their little half-circle, a wide grin on her face. “Did someone say [i]unicorns[/i]? Oh my gosh I love love [i]love[/i] unicorns,” said Lea. “Pegasi are [i]so[/i] cool, too. Have either of you played [i]Robot Unicorn Attack 2[/i]? That is the prettiest unicorn game in existence.” As Lea chattered away, Alejandro glanced at Elias, again. He leaned towards him, lowering his voice slightly. “You know, Prince Elias,” he began, musingly, “I seem to recall seeing a moose display in one of the libraries, the last time I visited.” He let his trademark grin flash across his face, though his eyes were uncharacteristically somber. “Care to join me as I, ah, [i]re-familiarize[/i] myself with it?” His voice was light, playful, but even Alejandro could hear the tense undercurrent in his own words. — — Elias gave Alejandro a look. “Seriously? More moose?” He sighed, but finished his tea and the last bit of food on his plate before setting both the plate and cup down and standing. He adjusted his jacket and nodded. “Let’s go then.” He rested a hand on Dafni’s shoulder. “[i]Excuse me, sister, but I will return.[/i]” Dafni nodded and said a quiet, “[i]Yeah, of course,[/i]” as she focused on Lea’s babbling. She’d be fine. Elias looked at Alejandro and nodded once more. The two exited the room, Alejandro in the lead, Elias in tow. Quite opposite most of the last time they’d seen each other almost five years ago.[/INDENT] [i](Collab between [@Morningstar1399], [@shylarah], [@ayzrules])[/i]