Some relationships are frictionless - perfect unions of hearts, balanced and whole.

That is not the case for Princess Adila.

Her eyes lock with Princess Iron Star's and there's challenge in each. Devil eyes are dark enough for mirrors, dark enough that any weakness in the dragon's eyes will be plain to both of them. Muscles tense, poetry in anatomy. Iron Star shifts her weight to her back foot and as she does Adila's tail coils around her ankle. They both breathe the same breath as their bodies tense against each other through that tiny point of contact. Within that breath lingers a half-fantastical conversation - the snap of muscles, the crack of stone, the whirl and slam and pounding wildness of hearts roused...

Through the telepathy of physicality their minds project the dance through step after step. Such a thing is possible because there's only one factor that changes the outcome - determination. Iron Star's challenge is made in pride, pride that defies reason and reality. Dandy's response has its own pride too, of course, but it's supported by a ferocious love. The two of them engage each other and Adila is their medium. 

This is their way. Each of the three princesses has a will of iron and will not be smothered. There's always tension and power shifts from moment to moment. They interact and react through these tiny physical and vocal cues - in public at least - to sense whose heart is the strongest in that moment. In this moment, it's Dandy. So with a steady blink the Devil quietly falls into line alongside the dragon. Adila's tail lingers for a moment and then unwraps from Iron Star's leg. Dandy is the alpha for now, and they will obey until the situation changes.

+Iron Star is right that we should be on guard, but not because of Princess Serpent,+ said Adila. Her thoughts are unhurried and unstressed - their secret rhythm is so ingrained to her now that these silent exchanges of power is as natural as posture. +I don't believe for a second that Princess Kyouko isn't plotting something - and she's been close to Shazari recently...+

She's kept her dress restrained; simple, flowing orange fabric curving into floral-patterned lace around the cuffs and hem - but with slashes of red lace bows along her left shoulder like claw-marks. Sleek and breezy and suited for sun and flight. Most notable, though, is her new badge. Embossed upon the empty plane of the former Watch's shield is a new symbol - a circle with arrows that could be a clock or a compass depending on how you looked at it. They were called the Guides now, and escorting travelers through the Labazaar was as good a reason as any to stay in contact with friends all over Hyperborea.