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Ignorant of the claim that the prince set forth over the land, and ignorant of the words he spat forth in her absence, Youkimi focused most of her attention on what she knew and what she had just heard. The last thing she needed were more reasons to doubt what she was doing, or even that she was doing a good job. The insufferable presumptions of the prince who made no effort to contact her in her land, when she acted as stewardess was remarkably rude, insensitive, and she could barely fathom how it was possible for him to be so unschooled in proper etiquette or knowledgeable of polite behavior.

Honestly, if she hadn't been expecting him to behave like a nobleman, it might not have hurt as it did. She wasn't sure how long she had been in the hallway. She wasn't sure when, but she did notice that the prince departed, his abomination of scale and feather taking wing and escaping into the cold of the winter day, after the storm of the night before had begun to move on and make even this cold seem normal.

She had not expected Dixon to follow after her. She hadn't quite sure what she would say to him, or if she was ready to speak. She looked up through blurred eyes. Then she felt his arms around her.

There was warmth in his arms... And unfortunately, she felt the last vestige of control on her tears had completely abandoned her. She hid her face in his shoulder and clung to his coat. This was improper. Some would think it was indecent. Grounds for a scandal to be held by someone she was not engaged to. There was too much else on her mind to care.

Was she that unapproachable as steward? Was there a shortage of paper that she didn't know about? Why hadn't she received word of concern? Letters of concern? Even a threat about action being taken if she didn't would have been something better, but instead, no. It was as though her being there was pointless if others complained to the goddess that she revered so highly, and sought to work against what she had been working on this entire time. Her only thought was Ethe and her people. Did the outside world think so little of her efforts that they would accuse her to her face of being negligent?

How much was true?

Too much to say... too much to ask. No voice she trusted to speak for the outside world. For now, it seemed to spill out in tears. Fortunately, her voice was still her own.

"... Have I been too distracted to call on the goddess...? Would it matter if I had when there was nothing to say...?"

It never failed to surprise her how gentle the count was. He sat with her and was there through her working through the tears. He smiled, and it was a smile that was genuine, that she trusted. It was found in the eyes, in the words, and there was humor in how he sought to overturn her negative thoughts.

Contact in the future... she could handle that in turn, she hoped.

Her attention and focus came to his hand and the warmth it exuded. There was comfort in the warmth, in the consistency of his support. As her thoughts calmed and she studied this reaction she felt, it occurred to her that there were so few who were about the palace or who visited that offered any kind of support.... Did Ethe have so few heralds? So few knights? Or was Kaishin unique in having the knights so close and loyal?

Her blue eyes looked to the ones that held confidence that she lacked more often than she would like. He was so sure of what he said, that the goddess would listen to her.

Then, perhaps it was as simple as that... At the very least, it would let her focus on something that she could do. Perhaps she could work around the unfortunate words of the prince.

"It feels improper, assuming the Goddess would simply heed my council. This is not my kingdom, I merely serve her."

The conversation took lighter turns as they spoke and conversed about times before this and times that had seemed lost in how much things had changed. Had it already been so long? But irrespective of how long the reality was and how long it seemed to be, they spoke and reflected over the years. The happy moments, moments that made them proud, the irritations they learned from, and also the many many things they learned throughout it all.

It felt good to speak so freely again. For those moments, she felt herself again. How long had it really been? Why did she get so distracted from this core reality?

As their conversation returned to the present, she felt in a better state of mind to handle it. After all, there was still a whole day left, and as they talked, the letter from Susumu, her head vassal, had arrived.

"Well.... I do want to speak to the goddess. Susumu advises this strongly as well. I will also be writing a letter to the head chairwoman of Bellris, to see if we can open trade with them again. I wonder if I should stretch more ties out to Phobos also." She smiled slightly. There were a few letters she needed to write. And one visit to make. "There is much to do, but I feel I can start by making more connections, especially if the wall will indeed fall soon."

There were among the wild tribes of Phobos? Youkimi seemed a bit surprised by this new information. "Yes, I feel so. If they are willing to trade, they might make excellent allies in the future."

Youkimi learned a while ago not to be so picky when it came to allies, and she was learning the difference between those allies that could be trusted and those who seemed more likely to flake and betray them. Barbarians, from what she understood, had stronger ties of loyalty, and ones that earned the trust from some of her knights who traveled amongst them for a time.

She imagined that she didn't have to be there in person to arrange other trade routes. For instance, the ones into Bellris.... But, she imagined that Dixon could use his connections to better effect.... Youkimi wished to try the letter to the councilwoman to formally open the doors.

"If the king will also open their borders to trade, then all the better."

Youkimi finished the sentence she had been writing. She moved her quill in her hand and considered what how he asked the question he did. She returned her eyes to him, only to see that he buried himself in the letter.

But, she was touched that he asked and that he didn't presume. As she thought about it, the more it made sense to go with others, and to not go alone. For whatever reason, Susumu had been there, and from what she understood of the letter, the goddess had appeared before him and the lady Chhatrapati. She had blessed their lands. Why was he so hushed and quiet now? It was uniquely different from the energy and composure he maintained in the presence of the prince.

"You can accompany me when I go to visit the goddess." She nodded and her eyes returned to the letter she was currently penning, inquiring after the trading guilds within Ethe and asking if there were policies that limited their ability to trade with their neighboring countries.

No sooner had she finished the latest letter than they decided to be off. She asked the servants to send away the letters and she picked herself up. She brushed off her shirt and asked for her cloak to be brought. She was grateful to have had the opportunity to stay in Titania again.

But, Dixon's eyes and the plumes along his form did not escape her attention. Something troubled him, and it seemed to be rather deep. She did not inquire after it for now, but she did take him up on the offer to let him carry her. She was a smaller phoenix and her wingspan did not easily accommodate flight in the wind, which still lingered in the aftermath of the winter storm. Besides this, her powers did not allow her to radiate warmth for terribly long periods of time.

She situated herself on his back and held on tightly as they left the castle and flew out into the wintry day, making their course for one of two places... the mountain, or the city of ash... But, they would look for the goddess.


{Exit with Dixon}

After a quick stop at a dress makers to pick up a dress in order to change the dark dragon made its way to Titania. She had gotten wind of a auction going on at some estate and thought it best to at least attempt to make connections. She landed just outside the estate and transformed back into her human form, she had dressed in a white and red dress that showed some figure before she walked toward the estate. Her black hair was put up in messy curls as she began to mingle around with the others that had chosen to come to the auction as she listened out of one ear to see if anything being auctioned off would be of any interest to her.

as he entered the estate joachim could not help but thank his secretary on his mind. It had been well over a year since he had allowed himself to truly be seen in public other then for things that required his personal attention. Going outside and flying was a welcome distraction from the troubles that weight on hos mind.

He quickly let his mayoral mask rise when he saw the paintings of the fire goddess. She was the latest problem he faced. As he stared at the picture and let the artist technique wash over him. He let himself think the dangerouse thoughts. With the wall gone. The flames extuingish. ....

He looked around instead of. Letting his brain sink deeper i to those thoughts. He saw an interesting man get close to the count. And he couldnt be to sure from a cursory look but there was a woman who looked familar tho more filled out then when he last saw her.

His eyes continued to searche the guests. He wondered if this might finally be the time the queen deems her presence neccesary

The pride of good work always seems less