[centre][img]https://i.imgur.com/YW5kpkR.png[/img] [h2]The Merchant Kings 1 - A Grand Republic[/h2][/centre] [hr] Rach Rose sat upon a baqualo-skinned pillow in his garden, admiring the moonlight shine upon his roses. They took on his violet hue that was simply impossible to replicate with any other flavour, especially when taking the fragrance into account. In his hand, he held a cup of hot flower tea, wagging it thoughtfully around as he took in the surroundings. To think, the young king had so easily and foolishly abandoned his house’s claim to the throne. He had expected far too much from him - Turmerick was even more naive than anyone could have imagined. Oh, sure, the queen and princess had both come to plead for him to forget all about the young king’s words, but they both knew it had been for naught. A groundbreaking reform in the Fragrancian leadership was about time, too - monarchy was a much-too-archaic form of government; they would learn from the Akuans, instead - have a government ruled by the people. Rach Rose pursed his lips. The [i]right[/i] people, of course. Still, for such reform to take place, they would need guidance - it would be no simple task to unite the [abbr=A Fragrancian noble family.]rachsas[/abbr] to form a government. With a king, at least, one had someone to mediate when negotiations went sour between them - now, he would have to rule alongside the other rachsas to govern Fragrance. He could at least take solace in the fact that none of the rachsas were strong enough to single-handedly overpower all the others; his, which was the strongest, would need the support of at least two other major houses. His thoughts brought sweat to his forehead - he had had such plans, but he had not expected the prince to mess everything up -this- fast. Many of his ideas could not be hastened anymore than they already had been. He would have to focus first on suppressing the inevitable public outrage whenever the news of the king’s decision would leak. He thought of his future colleagues in government - he would have to send couriers to all of them soon. He had sent couriers already to his closest allies, asking them to come to his mansion. He needed as many friends as he could get in these times of change. Approaching footsteps pulled him out of his thoughts. The soles were soft sandals, worn with a gentle, yet firm gait - a sudden clash of lavender to challenge his roses heralded the approach of his heart. Rach Rose found himself grinning giddily and rose from his pillow to greet the guest. “Lavender, my heart - I knew you would come,” rach Rose breathed affectionately. Approaching him came a lean, well-groomed man with skin like the night sky, hair like coal and eyes like stars - [abbr=A mid-level military rank comparable to captain.]pahrk[/abbr] Lavender, one of the rach’s most prized soldiers. “Of course, I would come - what would I not do for you, my Rose?” Lavender responded and the two met in a long, passionate kiss. Their hands massaged at each other’s necks and fingers dragged softly through their hair. Rose brought one of his hands to Lavender’s chest and gently broke away from the kiss, leaning his forehead against his. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you of late…” whispered the rach. Lavender tittered. “Yeah, judging from your [abbr=A piece of bark or baked clay used to write on.]kwaxl[/abbr], you’ve been through quite a lot.” He planted a kiss on his forehead. “Did you think about me during the battle of Monsax?” Rach Rose pulled away slightly. “You know I could’ve died there, right?” “But you did think about me in those times of danger, yes?” The rach turned away and his dark blue cheeks darkened further in a blush. “... Yes…” Lavender tittered smugly and flicked his right wrist towards the left. A woosh of wind caught a pillow sitting by a nearby saloon table and brought it over next to the rach’s. The warrior then proceeded to sit down. Rach Rose clicked his tongue in approval. “Wow, your [abbr=Magic, literally “nature weaving”.]x’ao-kaom[/abbr] really -has- improved, huh,” he mumbled softly as Lavender crossed his arms over his chest. “What, did you doubt me?” “Well, when you write ‘I feel like I can move heaven and earth’, I’d still say you might’ve exaggerated a liiiittle bit - but it’s clear you’ve made progress.” Lavender rolled his eyes and chuckled; the rach joined in. “By the way, are you thirsty? Hungry? Can I get you anything?” “A meal and some tea would be wonderful, my heart.” Rach Rose nodded and clapped his hands. The bead-curtain door to the main house was gently pushed aside and out peeked the head of the rachfi. Rach Rose turned his torso to face her. Lavender offered her a greeting click, which the rachfi echoed in response. “[abbr=”Husband” if the speaker is a male referring to his own husband. Can also mean boyfriend or lover.]Oio’j[/abbr] is thirsty and hungry. Bring us some more tea and… Would you like something sweet or salty, Lav?” “Ooh, the sage says I eat too much sun and noise - something sweet and quiet would be lovely.” Rach Rose clicked approvingly. “My, you read my thoughts. Rachfi, bring us two servings of [abbr=A sticky cake made of dried fruit, flour, cinnamon and wild honey.]maokl[/abbr], and go easy on the cinnamon. Oh, and another pot of tea, my love - let’s keep it to jasmine.” The rachfi clicked in acknowledgement and ducked back inside. Lavender smirked and leaned back on his large pillow. “I should find myself a woman soon. Must be nice to have someone to take care of the house.” “Oh, certainly,” rach Rose agreed and slurped quietly at the rim of his still-half-full teacup. “She’s given me quite the flock, too. Five sons and three daughters - can you imagine?” Lavender looked up at the night sky. “No, I really can’t… A fertile and obedient lady such as her is a rare gift, my heart - your legacy is secure. Speaking of…” He offered Rose a knowing click. “Congratulations on inheriting the kingdom of Fragrance!” Rose chuckled politely. “Now, now, it’s not like I’m the sole regent. Not that I would want to be, either.” He sighed and balanced his chin on his fist. Lavender offered him a look and placed his head on his shoulder softly. “You work hard, my heart - no one sees just how much you do for Fragrance.” Rach scoffed playfully, but Lavender touched his cheek gently. “No, I mean it! King Safron was, well, not a very good king - we both know that. He was quick to temper, had no idea how to control his heir Cinna, and when he banished that brat, he got himself killed before he could even teach his youngest the basics of rulership. Trust me - you have saved Fragrance -a lot- of trouble.” His whisper became even fainter. “Besides, you know what would’ve happened if the boy had become king - the Nilla rachsa would’ve gobbled him up in an instant; we would never have seen him again. Now, the Nillas have just as much control of the situation as we do - probably even less.” He planted a kiss on his cheek. “I’m so proud of you.” Rach Rose blinked. “I’m… Surprised you’ve been paying this much attention to politics. Have you been around different crowds since you went to Scenta?” Lavender chuckled, then offered a half-hearted groan. “Ugh, I wish. It’s my master, Hyasynth, constantly pushing news down my throat from all around the country. I just want to learn how to cast spells - I don’t, i don’t need all this.” He made a ‘prrt’ with the lips. “Although, it does help me stay up to date with what you’ve been up to when you don’t write to me.” “Would you like me to write more often?” “Pfft, please don’t - I can only handle so much of the city drama before I go mad. Although, I do think you should get back into poetry - you have a gift, I tell you!” Rose blushed. “N-no, that was just, just a phase.” “Come ooon, Rosey - do it for me, man!” “Oh, you’re such a cliché romantic…” Rose muttered to the sound of Lavender flexing his arms. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not just romantic - I -am- romance itself. Have I not the physique of the heroes of old? Come on, praise me, heart, praise me.” Rose scoffed and took his hand, bringing it to his lips. “You’re such an idiot…” “You used to write poetry, my love?” came a feminine voice behind them. Rachfi Belladonna Rose knelt down beside the rach with a tray in her hands, upon which was a fresh clay pot steaming tea, two clay plates, each topped with a portion of round, mushy cake, and a cup for Lavender. Rach Rose offered Belladonna a polite click. “I did, yes… For a time.” The rachfi gave him a hopeful look and gasped softly in anticipation, but the rach looked away from her and sucked thoughtfully on a tooth. “It’s a very private matter, though. I’ve made no promises to start again.” Lavender raised his brows at Rose and forced a soft chuckle. “Don’t mind him, Bella - he’s tired from work today.” The rachfi’s hope dissipated and she offered a solemn click of acknowledgement. “I… I understand.” She rose to her feet. “Please, enjoy your meal, you two,” she said with a bow and walked back towards the house. “Belladonna, my love?” The rachfi spun around with clapped her hands softly to indicate anticipation and attention. The rach frowned slightly. “Please keep your [abbr=A Fragrancian two-stringed string instrument similar to an erhu.][i]xuakla[/i][/abbr] close in case we require entertainment. We will likely be sitting for a while.” The rachfi scrunched her nose and clicked in acknowledgement before bowing again and stepping into the main house. The rach and pahrk both grabbed their plates and gave the cake a taste. Lavender offered a soft sigh. “I think you should treat her a little better, actually.” Rose smacked his lips in surprise. “Are you saying I treat her poorly?” Lavender swallowed his bite. “No, no - you’re good and polite to her, but, well… She’s given you, as you said, quite the flock, and she is obviously quite faithful to you. Don’t you think that warrants some additional reward of sorts?” Rose sipped his teacup with a frown. “Well, I provide for her and our family and allow her to stay at my property - in return, she serves me as any good [abbr=”Wife” if the speaker is male referring to a female.]fiya’j[/abbr] would. I even go out of my way to celebrate her birthday and to honour her fidelity and worth every [abbr=”Lunar Celebration”, a monthly sermon to honour the gods]X’ao-x’ei[/abbr]. What, are you saying she should have a wage, as well?” “Hey, hey, no need to get upset, my heart,” Lavender whispered calmly. Rose looked away, and his husband cupped his chin in his hand and turned his face to his own. “Look, if you feel like you are doing your duty to her as her [abbr=”Husband” if the speaker is a male referring to the husband of a female in third person.]oia’ssi[/abbr], then I won’t question it. It’s just… I think you could be happier with her if you opened up a little more - saw her as more than just [abbr=”Wife” if the speaker is male referring to the wife of a male in second person form.]fiya’choi[/abbr], then maybe…?” Rose sucked disapprovingly on his teeth. “It’s just… I don’t want you to think I’m not faithful to you.” Lavender scoffed. “What, you think I’d be jealous of your wife? Wow, if you want -that- sort of relationship with a woman, hooo-kay!” “Ugh! I’m being serious here, Lav!” “So am I, my heart!” The pahrk placed his hand on Rose’s chest and cocked his head playfully to the side. “I know what kind of love we have for one another. You treating [abbr=”Wife” if the speaker is male referring to the wife of a male in second person form.]fiya’choi[/abbr] as a nelven being instead of a slave won’t change any of that.” Rose shrunk a little. “You realise what kind of looks I’ll get from the other rachs, right? Their rachsas?” Lavender scoffed again. “Looks-scmooks - look at the Nillas. They’re strong because they work together as friends, maybe even lovers - not as master and servant. You said it yourself in your message: You need friends more than ever. Maybe you should start at home, hmm?” The rach sighed. “Is that why I’ve felt the Nillas are so… Queer?” “Yup. There’s power in relationships, my heart - even between a man and his wife.” The rach sucked in a slow breath. “Ugh, I hate it when you make sense.” “Hey, just because I am a mountain of muscle does not mean I am without brains. The moon has blessed me with wisdom to rival a sage.” “Alright, easy there, shadowtiger…” Rose looked over his shoulder. “Belladonna, my love?” In a heartbeat, the rachfi peeked out of the curtain door once more. Rose looked visibly uncomfortable, but an encouraging kiss from Lavender empowered him once more. “Would… Would you like to join us for some tea?” The rachfi gasped as quietly as she could, which wasn’t very quietly at all, and popped back inside. Rose sucked in a breath through the teeth. “Maybe it was too much all at once?” Lavender shook his head as there came a ruckus from inside the hut, followed by Belladonna hurrying over to sit beside her husband, [i]xuakla[/i] faithfully in hand and a white-toothed smile on her dark purple face. “No, I think it was just right,” the warrior offered and took another sip of tea. The three of them spent the rest of the night giggling over stories, and Belladonna even told some herself in between her gentle music. Rose had to confess eventually - she did make him happy. [hider=SumSum!] Rach Rose is planning what to do next after his king abdicated his throne by fucking up his legacy. He’s pretty happy about it, but it sorta sucks, too, because many of his plans would’ve needed more time. He wants to reach out to the Akuans to learn about democracy, among other things, but for now, he’s just stressed. Lo and behold, he gets a visit from his boyfriend Lavender, who’s visiting from Scenta. The two share a number of happy moments, catching up and stuff. Lavender’s a mage, and the two discuss how he’s gotten better at magic, and then how rach Rose is gonna rule Fragrance with the other noble families. They then order the rachfi Belladonna, Rose’s wife, to get them some food and tea, and then they enjoy that stuff. It’s revealed that rach Rose used to write poetry, something Lavender wishes he’d do again. Belladonna hears this and gets excited, but the rach shuts her down because she’s just the wife. When she goes back into the house, Lavender says he ought to treat her better, to which Rose responds, “I provide for her - what else do I need to do?” Lavender suggests treating her like a nelven being, and after some back and forth, she is allowed to join the men. [/hider]