Welcome to Gaia! ::

For Zell & Seifer's part they gave no indication that there was a third member of their party. Or a fourth rather, as Relm touching down beside the fistfighter like his personal announcer would make three to all who observed.

Seifer appeared to ignore Maryline's whispered question, watching as Zell's only show of emotion happened when his hazel-blue eyes caught for one second with bright blue. Watched as Zell caught the wordless question, his only response: she'd known he would have to come for her. A geis stronger than any word of a protector.

Flashing intelligent green eyes flicked around the room, missing nothing. "Our apologies to the the honorable gathered." Relm's eyes glittered at her play on words, wondering if the king would realize that left him out as he was not honorable in her opinion. "But events here were alerted to us by our See-ers." She said the word intentionally to sound like seers which was not in itself even an un-truth. "That there was a matter to be seen to with haste."

Seifer's smirk became a chuckle as he stared almost intently upon the princess. Another warrior would be able to tell he was not relinquishing his watch elsewhere as he did so, though a poor one might think him distracted. "Quarrel? No, Princess Maryline. Not unless you wish one." Legs apart, arms casually crossed before his chest, Hyperion hanging with apparent (only) casualness from a firm grip. "Matters to discus which pertain to you, yes. Or would you rather 'have your answer' without all the options." Not a question, exactly. Seifer was well known for those within his new 'family'.

Hiding a grin and with surprisingly courtly manners -in truth Relm seemed to know exactly what to do- the carbunkle curtsied in proper supplication. "We request leave under the article of..." the teen blithely rattled off an ancient and seldom invoked law the likes of which she should not have knowledge of nor how to invoke it -which she was doing with annoyingly cunning perfection even to the point of how it was to be done in manners starting inappropriately as this certainly was. ((Yes I totally made that up. *razzes*)) "To add our own preposition to those already offered Princess Maryline Dorise Sang, Lady of the Morning, Daughter of the Dawn, Defender of the Sword of Truth, Princess to the Seven Seas of Oculupse and unbeknowest heir to the Dreia crown. With it, an offer as well to your majesties for the good of all Dreia & her peoples if you would but hear us out."

A hint of her precociousness danced within her eyes, but otherwise Relm's act was airtight. Espers... but this better work out. She had already lost more time with her musician friend than she liked in audiences with the royals of Aveldale. Of course... the results so far on that end had turned out far better than even she could have planned. Wouldn't Zell be surprised?

The gunblader's cool blue eyes remained narrow. He would not say aloud if she could not read it in his face that a death sentence was the last thing he had on the agenda for any of them.

And that included her.

His eyes were too knowing. 'Death or Living Death?' They seemed to say with hard mocking, while implicating that they would not let her settle with merely those choices at hand. She had already been sentenced to death when she walked in here. As had Zell. Either choice she would have made of those given... Death would be kinder to the fistfighter.

Relm did not like how the king seemed amused. Better then sicking his guards on us already, f---ing b*****d. Not only was he pissing her off, but it was making her miss her former companion, King Edgar of Figaro. HE would never have let his kingdom get like this. With a proper nod followed by a glance to see that the magical barriers of shell & wall were still in place around her companions Relm as the self-proclaimed voice of the prince of Aveldale (he sure as hell was not about to speak up) launched into the proposal.

If he could have permitted himself, Zell would have gaped. How in Hyne's name did the pictomancer know all that... much less pulled it together in a couple hours? And what was this with crown prince anyway? he could not let himself show anything though. He knew that. Enough that he was a prince and -if they could pull this off- he now could legally ask Maryline to marry him.

Of course... this was not the way he would have preferred. Inwardly he sighed, trying not to think of that. Waste of time, and he needed his head as focused as possible here. It did not help that he dare not look at Maryline. Oh he did look at her from time to time as Relm continued to speak, but only as often as it seemed appropriate in context to see if there was any reaction. Zell did not put it past King Roman to do something vile or drastic merely on discovering Zell was the commoner. That he had been a commoner something Zell did not want out of the bag -if at all possible. Better then to remain quiet. Easier to stay in the act he had to give.

It was an oddly good thing he was so worried & over-wraught inside or his usual cheer and energy would give him away. As it was... Zell was almost afraid he was losing strength. Remembering the fury in Maryline's posture.... he was nearly sure of it.

The pictomancer's glib tongue danced over the combination marriage proposal/alliance as if she was born to this role. Today she was not the smart-mouthed kid except that she dared to pull this off. She pulled out documents to fascilitate in the restoration of Dreia from its depression -sound options that would actually work, not simply monetary aid that could be squandered or simple fixes that would not set & last. The only reason things were not airtight was that the offer was created with some room for negotiation. Of course all the aid and skills offered were tied irrevicably to a marriage between Aveldale's Crown Prince and Princess Maryline Dorise Sang.

And the papers bore the king of Aveldale's seal.

Zell tried not to let his eyes widen at that & managed -somehow. Seifer in his role as head guard (go figure) did arch a brow but that was all. Clearly, he concluded, Relm had surpassed herself.

((gah... hate this post. hope it suffices... *pales & crashes*

*edits out Zell's name. After Ryu... Relm wouldn't be so stupid.))

Catching a glance of sad in beloved bright blue eyes, Zell Dincht nearly winced. He hated this: bartering for Maryline. He had wanted to... Christmas was in 10 days... everything would have been ready...

'Line, will you marry me?' 'You know I can't. I could only marry a...' *whips out official paper, grinning to see her stunned* 'Wha? Prince?' *grin* ...

Well... that's kinda how he had thought to have it happen. Sometimes, when he was awake watching Maryline sleep beside him the words would shift slightly. It was a good dream. Her surprise. Sure... Christmas was not a part of either his or Maryline's religions -not that he really practiced any worship of Hyne other than an explicative- but it had special meaning around his house. It was a happy, festive time of year. Besides... Zell didn't think he'd be able to hold out until Valentine's Day or Maryline's birthday.

Now he -and everyone else- was seeing that maybe... this wasn't a good thing to have kept secret.

Relm was ready, smiling at the king's question. Her green eyes actually lit up though when the son spoke up, delighting that perhaps he wasn't an idiot. She let that smile last, taking a moment to allow it to tell Dreia's prince that she was impressed -that there might be hope for him yet. Brief moments... but long enough for Maryline to start to speak before the precocious artist mage opened her mouth to respond.

Sir Mujaki? Relm clamped the cursing in her mind down and smothered it with a blanket so she could hear the princess' practiced voice give explanation over the roar. A seasoned pirate would have blushed at the words muffled in her thoughts and it should be no surprise that the merge overstepped protocol & without asking helped the pictomancer to lock them away & kept them from filtering to the rest of the family. The stun only showed in a flash on her face before Relm -proud little actress that she was- composed herself. Hopefully it would only show as surprise that Princess Maryline knew ... well ... that. Now it was time to keep a hold on her anger so she could weave this utter fabrication into the truth (or most of the truth anyway) she had been intending to tell.

Thankfully, she had a moment's more reprieve. Zell had been addressed directly. Hazel-blue eyes turned to meet the princess' bright blue. The corner of his mouth almost curling in the hint of the beginnings of a crooked smile -more to try and lift her pain & sadness then because he held any happiness. "Only enough to leave me wanting to know more, Princess Maryline." A fitting bow.

"The King of Aveldale has never forgotten Dreia." Relm added, finding her voice at last. The clear alto wavering not a bit at the truth which by way of who they now thought was the king made it a lie. She felt she was walking more with the Prince of Lies right now than she ever had in any of her games before. For the lie holding a grain of truth was always more deceptive. She would have preferred truth with a grain of lie for this. Less likely to bite them in the @$$ later. What the f--- was Maryline thinking? If someone went to look up Aveldale... they would discover right away something was off. Remembering the look of Sir Mujaki the teen had to suppress a smile comparing him to the jolly, Santa Clause-like king of Aveldale -complete with graying ears of a bear. It gave a whole new turn on the story of King Grizzlybeard. At least they both have silver hair... though King Conrad's once was blonde... Espers! The thought nearly made her laugh out loud and almost lose her pose worse than when she was furious! "It has long been a dream of His Majesty to see Dreia the gem it once was. There was no pretense He could use to do anything about it however, while Honouring Dreia. That was until He learned of the Rebirth of your Phoenix, Legend indeed Reborne."

Now Relm was wondering... how well had the Royals of Dreia read the documents? Had Maryline seen that Zell was now officially the son of the king? Intelligent green eyes knew for a fact the fistfighter had missed that, even had he seen. Green eyes twinkled, then nearly laughed upon feeling narrowed blue eyes trying to put her in her place. So.... Seifer had picked up on the unexpected boon the King of Aveldale had granted. Zell was holding up so well though... Relm couldn't bring herself to tell him everything now. He might crumple.

"To have an alliance with Princess Maryline of Dreia, Historically & Legendary known for her devotion to her people, the people will only think it romantic that the crown bequeaths her such a Wedding Gift. Thus all parties may find satisfaction." Better not to make it clear how much they wanted Maryline for being Maryline. No one liked it any better than Zell... but for this to work... it would probably have to be that the Princess was part of the bargain -not their reason.

((you know... now I'm understanding where Refies & Nahnia get their 'prince/princess' aspects of their personalities. Sure... Rune would raise them to be a gentleman & a lady, but they act like little royalty... now I know the effect of their mother being in the merge while they were developing.))

Yes. Zell had about a million objections. They fought and struggled within him, daring the fistfighter to do as he normally would and say them. But he could not. He could not. This was much too important. Maryline was much too important.

Still he hated this. Hated this with a fury he could not recall ever having known. He hated himself for this. But... but it was still better than losing her. Better than the high chance of her death. He just couldn't... he couldn't...

Zell wanted so much to pull her into his arms but that too he couldn't do. Everything that was coming natural to him to do or say at that moment he was having to fight. It was not a predicament he had ever been in even on a small level, much less with his emotions so through the roof.

One of the objections being to let Maryline out of his sight. Well you got it, Zell. All the non-fun stuff that comes with being a prince. Internally he sighed. It would all be worth it, for Maryline. He just had to keep telling himself that.

He looked at the woman he loved, wanting to say so much but not knowing the words even if he could at this moment. The smile he gave her an attempt to be reassuring.

"No. No Objections." A slight shake of his head accompanied his spoken words as he inwardly forced himself to look away from where he wished (Maryline) to light upon the king and his son. He was smiling, something like his 'be friends with everyone' charming boy smile. Only those who knew him might be able to see through it.

Seifer's facewas unreadable, his blue eyes traveling with slow precision over everyone & everything while at the same time being and seeming to be paying attention to the proceedings themselves. It was no longer his time to speak out. Relm could however. But what? "Good. Perhaps later we could arrange for the prince & princess to have some time to become acquainted under less intense conditions."

Zell could have kissed her. A bit of his normal light flicked back into his eyes at that thought. Even just the hope.

Separating. No one particularly liked that thought. It was easier to whisk everyone to safety when a group. The merge was also restless, finding even the barest touch to the king's mind repugnant. Digging deeper was about the last thing they would usually want to do. But to understand why he hated their dear princess so (the family adhered easily to those loved by one of their own) and to hopefully see at least a glimpse of his plans behind his public mind they would attempt the vile thing. Even if it overstepped protocol. At least… if there was not something that would give them away. They wanted to protect their own, not put them at greater risk.

Wait… Prince Sage? Just before the look of ‘wtf’ showed on Zell’s face the merge was able to remind him that ‘Sage’ was Mujaki’s sur name and therefor in this case his own in a way for the time being. What came across his tattooed young features instead could easily be interpreted as one accustomed to a different name only but knowing this was also his name.

Seifer nodded to the Princess, making a motion to step curtly aside to let her pass in a manner befitting a guard. Zell however was nearly to the end of his limits. Striding as quickly as he dared and still be within the parameters an internally stunned and worried Relm was feeding the telepathic collective Zell reached Maryline’s side just before his ‘personal guard’ moved fully to let her pass. As smooth as any of the Tai Chi he had taught her and as fast as -again- could be proper he was in seemingly one movement touching his hand to the underside of hers to lift it as he bowed, placing the lightest but most feeling kiss with gentlemanly perfection upon the back of her hand. Hazel-blue eyes lifted to her face as Zell gently returned her hand and released it –s perfectly executed as any of his forms. "It lightens and fills my heart merely to see you alive with my own eyes, Princess." He did not trust himself to say her name, nor it seemed to look upon her much more for the SeeD stepped sharply back with another bow which Seifer followed as if having been given an order (and to hide the almost laughing smirk as he did so).

**Aki… will you be going with the Princess? We apologize… it had not occurred to us that Seifer would alter the plan though we knew of the contingency. As long as she remains in the palace we should be able to pull her out of there. It would be better though were she not alone…** The implication that if she were with another it would be easier to ‘lock on’ to Maryline indicated better even then thought-words could relate.

Relm pretending not to have been worried about how Zell would behave also had to breathe a sigh of relief deciding too to hide such reactions in a proper curtsy … well the proper bow-curtsy that her outfit ascribed. She waited until Maryline was past and Zell was returning to her side before rising and properly addressing. "Your Majesties… let us see about the finer points of this potential union in a manner worthy of your Legendary Princess." Efficiency & elegance were unspoken words that sparkled in the all too intelligent eyes of the precocious pictomancer.

((by the way... I hate this post too. Just for the record.))

Zell knew she would be ... distant... so though it pained him it was not the knife it could have been. He wanted to go with her, sweep her away from this place -but he could not now. Not now... when it had become a -well whatever it was this was. The SeeD could not quite wrap his mind around finding a word when the word itself held so little meaning for him right now. They were trapped for the time beng. Trapped probably longer... How long did royal weddings take to get going anyway? Dammit! He would have preferred something simple! But... giving up the simple in exchange for Maryline being alive... it seemed a worthwhile sacrifice.

*We don't trust him either.* the merge confessed to Aki with heartfelt regret as it also buoyed Zell feeling him flagging a bit as Maryline left the room. Not so much flagging in nenergy, but in restraint for he wanted to follow her something fierce. He would not though, and the merge gently supported and comforted him *We do not like that you will be seperated either but it can't be helped now. We suspect even a precog will do little to guide but hopefully warn.* Also amid the merge's link with the water dragon the extent of their feelings for his silent oath and understanding the depths of it.

The slightest head tilt of acceptance for the prince leading him to hisroom, the proper bows of ended audience, and Zell stepped easily into place permitting Prince Mika to lead him to his room. With a sharp military kick Seifer rotated and followed the two out to only the sound of his trenchcoat snapping behind him.

((yes... ignoring Relm for the moment. Go ahead & have her be/go where she needs to. I can't think any more. ))

*We’re going away from Maryline’s room.* Zell shared uncomfortably, hazel-blue eyes staring mostly ahead at the ‘rival’ prince’s back though he still saw plenty in his periphery to notice –not as well or as detailed as Maryline did- that the layout was altered. He could feel Seifer’s derisive snort through the merge and knew he was looking at their surroundings more. Well that was his imperative as a guard, wasn’t it. The merge did not deny Zell’s comment which both took as confirmation that Maryline was in ‘her’ room. It did share some gleaned from the prince’s surface thoughts, wondering how he figured Maryline’s worth here in Dreia as he did. Getting even that inside scoop made Zell feel a little uncomfortable, like it was not fair. He shared those feelings even as he chided himself that it was all for keeping Maryline safe. Even if this Prince Mika half as accredited Maryline’s worth there was still his slimeball of a father to deal with. "So… Prince Mika. You intent to court Princess Maryline as well?" How Zell ever managed to keep his tone civil and even close to his normal level of friendly, much less having the edge of majesty that befitted (or at least nearly) a crown prince, surprised both the fistfighter and his stern-faced guard.

~~~~~

It’s like being alone with Kefka without the maniacal laugh. No… more like that sleazy Emperor Gestal from what the other’s told me about him. More conniving, less mad. Of course Relm was not completely alone –the still cloaked Illyana Rasputin was nearby and ready. The artist’s magical sight could almost see the taller girl’s outline if she looked at the magic hard enough. Only because she knew Illyana should be there and knew what her magical aura looked like naturally, knew how the invisibility cloak worked upon magical sight. The wizards that had designed those cloaks could not ‘see’ magic as the pictomancer often could.

Without fear Relm Arrowny stepped forward. She did not trust the old coot (her words) of a king as far as she could throw him. Which considering her weak physical stamina wasn’t very far. Now were she to say as far as the musclehead Sabin could throw him that would be another matter entirely. I’d better not miss my next concert with ‘Lijah over this bullsh--. The pictomancer thought to herself as they got down to business, missing her guitarist friend and wondering how their other musician friends were doing. This was a fun enough venture in the meantime. She would not be able to tell the dog anthro much about it likely right away though. Not without chancing ruining how he treated her like a normal girl.

((oh good. I don't want to RP that out either. ^_^ ))

Zell knew the ‘playing dumb’ tactic and could not help but grin wondering how much his ‘rival’ was a pawn compared to how much more he played it.

The merge, becoming more pure thought sharing than actual thought from their long contact of minds and sharing information, did not filter trying to read & share the prince’s thoughts in time –and had to hold a suddenly furious Zell back in a split-second reaction before he growled and attacked his ‘host’ with his fists. It wasn’t Prince Mika’s ‘playing the pawn’ by a long shot. Mentally the merge was straining around him, giving a mental image of those involved with their arms around the fistfighter & holding him back. It only lasted a fraction of a moment from hearing the thought, as a wash of calmness spread over the SeeD. Maryline would not have that happen to her for she would never choose the prince of Dreia.

Slowly he nodded, forcing a companionable smile that only those that knew him would suspect as forced. Even Seifer was nearly convinced. “Yes. She is.” Speaking that way felt odd, even without the words not summing up his love enough. She was more, so much more… but what the prince had said was a good start. He was even right about Maryline being willful & independent –damn straight or they wouldn’t be in this mess!- but if the prince ever voiced aloud his intentions for Maryline in such a way Zell would not hold back in beating his ‘vacant’ puppet face into a pulp.

The thought made Zell smile & feel guilty for thinking it all at once. But the guy was thinking of Maryline.


((what is it with my posts for this rp being so hard lately... and so full of fail? *pouts*))