A Royal Announcement [OPEN]

Many moons had passed since the red-haired queen had seen her recent friends. After a legendary battle with lugia, making the first real friend she’d ever had in life, meeting a ferocious new ally, a ravenous new trade partner, a sly but handsome militaristic doge, an innocent but deadly young girl, a strange girl holding an item of great power, and an absolutely brilliant minded young trainer, Akane felt somewhere very deep within the abysmal recesses of her mind, somewhere on her island, someone or something big was going to happen. She hated being so pessimistic, but she couldn’t help but fear what was to come.

A lowly guard knocked upon her chamber doors. She flitted ever so gracefully to the door and answered him. Yes, she was right. It was that aggravating pest, Dick, which always gave her trouble so. He waited patiently as she read.

”Interesting. Please notify Geoffrey and tell him to respond that I will attend. Then get out of my castle.” Her voice was cold as sharp like thorns as she continued reading the letter and the guard scurried away.

The ground was warmer than usual, Akane noticed as her toes gingerly touched the ground. Her massive amounts of hair were tied up into a massive ponytail which nearly brushed the snow off the ground behind her as she walked. It had been two years since she had seen this place; she had almost nearly forgotten how it looked. She regretted not setting aside more time to visit, but life was tough when you weren’t saving the world. She wished desperately something awesome had happened; something legendary could have swept her off her feet. But no. she was left in bored shambles, doing menial tasks and just trying to keep her people happy. The only thing keeping her going, keeping her walking up to that little lump of a house Eira called home was the fact she knew something deep in Asemon’s future, something was amiss.

Mr. Doom had been released as soon as Akane had arrived. Not only was the hell-hound bigger, but also meaner looking, taut, lean, and due to intense training and too much time with the serious-natured Silas, a spitting image of hell. He immediately recognized the scent of the fellow queen and led Akane straight to her. But something was off and Doom could sense it. His piercing red eyes shot through Eira’s own and growled deeply like heavy thunder. This pokemon meant business.

”Doom. Down. Or you’ll have to answer to walrein.” Mr. Doom considered the fight, ready to show off his new impressive battling skills, but maturely put away his fangs and decided it was better to back off. ”Queen Eira. How good it is to see you. I have actually missed you. Honestly, there have been some real sad emotions since receiving your letter of invitation.” She could tell something was off, but perhaps it was because she hadn’t seen her in so long? Eira’s hair was longer and her eyes more matronly and queen-like. Akane’s mind first wondered if she grew a spine, but was promptly distracted by somewhere far off, Akane’s sixteen year old self wondered if she actually had changed as much as the fellow queen.

When Walrein perked up at someone's approach, Eira's eyes followed towards where he smelled someone coming from. Eira's whole demeanor seemed to brighten at the sight of the red queen coming towards her with her own loyal companion at her side. Both she and Walrein made a small bow towards the pair before their attention was taken up by Z with his approach.

"I am so glad both of you were able to make it to this festival since we have not gotten to see each other in so long," she greeted them, coming down the steps slowly so she could give them light hugs with her Walrein close behind her. "I am terribly sorry for not inviting either of you to my wedding. Publius and I wanted it to be a very private ceremony with just us and our Pokemon."

She paused in speaking as she felt a wave of dizziness come to her, her hand coming down to rest of Walrein's head so that he could support her and make sure she wasn't going to fall. When the dizziness cleared, she smiled at her two friends and motioned towards her home.

"If you would like to rest inside, Z, please feel free to do so, though please don't mind the renovations, Publius and I decided recently that we wanted a little bit more room in our home," she said before turning towards her fellow queen. "If you would like to join me on a short walk, Lady Akane, I would like to talk to you about something."

”Just us and our pokemon” At Eira’s words the red queen grew furious, though not her normal fiery a fueled with passion furious, but rather more agitated there wasn’t a large ceremony to commemorate such a glorious occasion. I mean really, the first official royal on Asemon getting married and no grand celebration? Pshaw. The red lady would hear none of it.

But for now, she kept her cool, eyeing the young man beside her. He was brilliant, Akane had been hearing of Starfort becoming more and more populated by those rogues and wanderers in need of jobs and the city life. The brilliant youth, Z, beside her was rapidly becoming a threat to her kingdom. Perhaps she should make a proposal or truce between them now while they’re still friends? She didn’t know, but was relieved when Eira dismissed the young man for a moment. And surprisingly to the queen herself, not just for business purposes.

”Are you sure you wish to walk in such a condition? You seem paler than usual. Let me send out Pyrois for Meta to copy. I’m sorry Pyrois can’t do it himself he’s had a long journey already.“

It wasn’t a secret that Akane had a powerful charizard, but did people wonder why she never rode it? She didn’t really care to find out. But if even her best friend asked her, could she tell her such a revealing and vulnerable secret? ’No. It’s for the best that as few people as possible get involved.’

”Am I special Eira? Do I get to know the big reveal before everyone else does?” Her voice was lighter than air. ”So tell me, how’s your new man in bed? Hmmmm?” Her light-hearted jesting stunted with Eira’s reaction.

It was nice, the festival lanterns in a multitude of colors, the small dainty snowflakes from a light grey sky, and the company wasn’t bad either. Eira however, looked desperately like she had something to get off of her chest. Her hands kept finding themselves centered on her torso, and Akane’s keen eyes started scanning her, trying to prepare her for what was to come. Even with her prodding and digging, Eira still couldn’t voice it. It was then Akane realized.

”Huh. That’s odd. I’ve grown slow in my old age it seems.” She laughed a haughty laugh, but was pissed she hadn’t realized sooner. That was Mr. Doom’s favorite past time when he was younger, sniffing out pokemon eggs. Why would humans be any different? ”I realize it would be hard for anyone to say it. But I already know. Your body language has told me all already.” Akane had begun petting Mr. Doom and praising him, albeit a little late, but Doom did not reject and raised his much larger head up for his jaw to be rubbed.

”I realize I am alone in what emotional state I would be in, so tell me. What are your feelings on the matter? The fact you’re having trouble telling me suggests a few things, such as, we’re not as close as I thought-highly unlikely. You don’t trust me enough-you? Please. Or the most likely, you might be a little nervous, afraid, and or confused? But possibly overjoyed.” After her rigorous assessment, Akane stood patiently awaiting Eira’s conclusion.

The red-haired queen could sense something heavy was going to be dropped on her shoulders, she was not in the mood to deal with it. But she waited patiently to see how it played out. Eira’s eyes seemed to go hollow before glittering with the sensation of sadness. After Eira dropped the question Akane waited to hear, she paused for a moment, scrunching up her face. But she came to a conclusion, one she was rather proud of.

”Eira, a queen’s place is to marry for money and power. A queen is supposed to do everything she can for the good of her kingdom. You married within, gaining nothing for your kingdom, and now you are with child. Granted it will be true Eirlys blood, but then again, we can’t really be considered purebred persons of Asemon, can we?

My guess is because you are so non-traditional, your people will accept you as you are, and whatever happens will set the tone for future kings and queens of the land. However, I do recommend that Publius take to raising them. You need to focus on your job, especially in the coming years.” she paused, wondering if she should finish her statement with the other queen already so rattled. But it was the perfect opportunity, and she wasn’t sure she’d get another chance to tell her. ”I smell a raticate that’s been working their way in too close in my kingdom. I have my eyes on a few of said ratatta.” Doom registered the dark undertone and growled with Akane.

The red-haired queen mulled over what Queen Eira said. She knew who Publius was, but even so, her marriage to him didn’t gain the kingdom anything. It only gave them an isolation, which perhaps they needed in the early years of their respective kingdoms, but with Akane she had her eyes set on no one. Yes, she dreamed about being with Chazz, but she knew it would earn her kingdom nothing they needed, and so she could not marry for love. In response to Eira’s question, she chided,

”Eira, that’s not the point of royal marriages. It is to gain legal benefits and power for your kingdom. Only recently has it become a thing for love, could a person feel it. In my position I am not allowed to feel it, and therefore I chose not to think about nor answer questions like that. Clinging to fantasy is the fall of a great leader, so I’ve found it’s better to not have them.” But Akane knew this was going to make the fellow queen and expecting mother uncomfortable. Hey look at that, she had grown.

”On that note, I am allowed some leeway in who I can take to marry… I guess, and on that note there are a few I’m more interested than others. As in if I married that hairy old married duke that’s 40 years old on the mainland and been trying to get me for years. But as much as I’d like to say not a chance in hell, if my kingdom falls a little, I may have to and I have been letting him think I am slightly interested all those years. It’s an unfortunate risk of the job.”

The topic began making her heart a little heavy, but Eira quickly changed the topic of conversation. All the weight on her chest flitted away as she began to talk all business. Her response gave Akane a smile.

”If I have your support, that is all I need. However, I suppose I should be a little more careful and not just go about declaring war. Let’s just hope, it does not come to that. Besides, have you discovered any people on the western half of your kingdom? I’ve heard indication of human life there, and I don’t wish for you to be blindsided either.” Akane decided this should be all on the subject, ”Anyway, let us return to Z and your other guests. They must be anxious you’ve been alone with me all this time, perhaps some of my crazy had rubbed off on such a well-mannered woman such as yourself in that short time.” She haughtily laughed and escorted her friend back to the public.

Z was sitting in the warmth of Eira's house reading from a binder that contained some of the ledgers from the Starfort Mining Company.  Next to him, Scorpio sat with Demeter resting on his back as their trainer read through the paperwork that came with running a successful cooperation that was extending its arms into the surrounding Kingdoms through trade routes and business deals.  Z sighed a bit, he wished he didn't have to bring work with him on this friendly trip, but he was a bit behind on his paperwork and the ledger had to be read and approved not long after his planned return date to the city.  The mines had been upgraded to ensure the safety of the miners and their pokemon, and they continued to pump out valuable resources for the city and its economy.

Z scratched Demeter's head, getting a happy purr from the grass type, "I'm glad you're having a good time, little one.  Too bad Tsurara is busy at her shop, she always loved it here.  I'm sure you'll get along with Eira, but I'd watch out for Lady Akane and her pokemon."