Political Scales [Eclipse Jalodra & Shyone]

[Eclipse Jalorda]

She woke up as the sun's rays started creeping into the horizon, a fierce orange that chased away the dark purple of the night sky. She could hear the soft chirps of the first birds to wake, and willed herself to open her eyes, gazing quietly for a moment at the sleeping face of the prince. He seemed so peaceful in the early mornings, it was almost a shame to wake him from his dreams. She was comfortable herself. He was warm, and her tail was coiled gently around him, and his arms clung to her torso. The Prince liked to have someone in the bed with him while he slept, and she was able to sleep better knowing that she was in there to protect him, just in case. Plus he was a constant source of warmth, something her generally cold blood appreciated. Still, he needed to get up and start the day, duties didn't wait for dreams to finish, unfortunately. The lamia lightly propped herself up on an elbow, using her free arm to shake him gently awake. "Your highness. Your highness. Wake up, it's morning." She uncoiled as carefully as she could, wanting to wake him up, not render him dizzy.

Biyu glanced over shoulder at him as she slid into a small side room, giving him a few minutes to wake up before she began her duties. Her nightshirt went off, replaced by her light lavender attendant's dress and gloves. She kept an ear out as she combed and twisted her auburn hair into a loose bun, pinning it in place with a simple flower pin before slithering out of her little dressing room, opening up his closet and selecting his robes for the day. "Which would you prefer your highness, orange or green today?" She asked softly, glancing over at the bed. "Your highness, it is time to awaken." She bid, moving to lean over the bed, lightly shaking him. "I'll put the green one in your dressing room. She said softly, putting the orange back into his wardrobe for another day. The clothing was carefully hung, and a warm bath was run, at just the right temperature. She fussed about, trying to get the towels and soaps just right. She liked making things perfect, being good at her job. Technically she was an advisor, there to provide advice and keep him from harm. But she couldn't help but take it further, getting his day started. Biyu was in there anyway, here was no reason that she couldn't complete those simple tasks.

Biyu was honored to be in the service of the royal household at all, sometimes she was still stunned by bearing such an esteemed position. At least, it was esteemed to her. The royal family had done her people such kindness, allowing them into their kingdom when their homeland all but crumbled. They flourished, and the royal family did them further kindness by installing a lamia as one of their advisors, Biyu. She shook herself from her pleasant reverie, quickly slithering out of the bathroom. The sunlight streamed through the windows, and she drew the curtains, savoring the light that seeped into her lightly tanned skin and bounced off her dark teal scales, the purple tips reflecting on the walls and ceiling. It was so very warm. She wasn't exactly cold, but it still felt great to sit in the sun. She coiled up in the sunlight, settling herself for a short sun. "Your bath is ready, and your clothes are as well when you're ready for them. Please call me if you need me your highness. I'll be here in the warmth until you're ready."

Biyu gaze out the window, her lips lightly lifting in a gentle smile. The view from his room was beautiful. Her original room, appropriate for an advisor, had a nice view as well, but she rarely went back, only a few of her old things were still in there. She spent most, if not all, of her time at his side. There wasn't even any need for there to be a separate room at all. But the prince had wanted her to sleep in the room with him, and if it helped him sleep, then she didn't mind the slightest. It was her duty and it wasn't as though it was any strain. Biyu shifted watching as the grounds keepers began spilling out in the courtyard. This moment of calm wouldn't last very long, the day would begin and there was nothing but a whirlwind of things to take care of. She couldn't guarantee that the Prince would do everything on the list, but she could attempt to persuade him to comply. She turned and smiled as the Prince emerged, politely bowing. "Good Morning your highness. I hope you slept well. Have you thought about what you might like for breakfast?" She asked, slithering to his side and pulling her tail behind her.

((I couldn't help it I punned.))

 

[shyone]

Kurosawa Ryou smiled softly as he shifted in his sleep, curling his body up closer to the Lamia that held him. The prince's dreams had taken to places that were well away from the planning of war and the shifting nature of the political battlefeild. Ever since Biyu had started sleeping with him, the young man had found himself able to rest even more soundly than before. His adviser... and gaurdian, was a presence that made him feel safe. Biyu kept the nightmares that the prince always seemed to have away. Whenever it she slept with him Kurosawa knew that it would be a peaceful night, but before she had started... the tossing and turning, combined with cold sweats. It had gravely affected his ability to sleep, but such things were in the past now. Why they had happened, only Ryou knew, and he was scared to admit the reason. So with Biyu strong coils holding him in such a protective manner, the young man had slept well only to be slowly pulled from his dreams... by the feeling of the sun on his skin.

Slowly Ryou opened his eyes the first time his gaurdian began to prod him. Though the feeling of her heavy coils, and the warmth of the sun made him whine in protest, "Do we really have to? I think we ssshould just ssstay here all day." When she uncoiled her tail from around his body, the prince knew that any further protest was completely useless. Sitting up in bed the young man wacthed the Lamia slither away to the dressesing room. His long raven colored hair hung down in fornt of his face, with only one of his black eyes revealed to the morning sun. As she reapeted her call the male sighed softly, "Alright Biyu... you win." Laughing softly to himself in his usual manical manner the prince swung around and stepped off the bed, "It really doesssn't matter to me actually" He knew she would make a better choice than himself. Strecthing out his body the prince could hear her getting the water ready for him. Sometimes Ryou actually entertained the idea in his head if she wanted to join him, but at the same time... there were many factors controling his reasons for not doing so. One simply being that there quite a number of the royal house hold and other nobles that simply tolerated the Lamia's presence. Among them, were some who were quite verbal with there displeasure with the fact a Lamia gaurded the next Emporer. This was not a majority, but certianly a loud minority.

Standing there for a moment he wacthed with a soft Cheshire-eqse grin, as he wacthed Biyu come out of the bathing area. He waited until he was sure that she was comforntable in the sunlight before heading towards the bath that she had prepared, "Thanksss getting it ready Biyu, but you know you really don't have to." The prince always found it a little silly that a creature like her was in a more serveal postion. So the prince went into the bathroom and settled down into the tub and softly began to relax as he looked up at the roof. He was thankful that Biyu gave him time to relax alone... since the young prince was nervous about being naked around the Lamia anyway. Though that had more to do with the fact that he was attracted to her... and his shy nature. Soon the male was standing up and cleaned off his body before dipping back under the water and making sure that everything was cleaned off. Before getting out the bath and drying off. The Emporer wanted to make sure that he was completely dressed before he went back in other room with the Lamia.

As he was dressing Ryou thought about the day that he had ordered his troops to protect the Lamia villages. Their had been only one tribe left at the time, and the bandits to the north had been trying to wipe out the Lamia. So dispite his fathers wishes Kurosawa had extended his nations protections to the Lamia tribes by those actions. It had not exactlly been the smartest policitcal move that the young man could have made. Though such a close alliance with the Lamia had been a long time coming... his internvention had simply forced things to happen a little faster. Why the prince had done such a dangerous thing... only he knew, and only time would tell if it would pay off. All the male knew was at that moment it had earned him the only true friend he had ever had, beyond his generals. He really never admited to Biyu why he had done it, and the people of the palace were good at keeping on facade from those they felt as an outsider. Still... the Lamia had been there since Ryou was young... given that the protection of her village had been the first thing he had done politically, and that had not even been his intent.

Coming out of his thoughts the male stepped out of the bathing room, and into his chambers where he saw Biyu was still relaxing. So he stepped back quitely to make it look like she had gotten up just in time. When he finally walked out, and stood there looking out the window the prince didn't answer her question at first. Wacthing the busy nature of grounds keepers at work for a few moments before turning to his gaurdian, "Eggsss mossstly Biyu. How about you pick today... My nightmare partically... brutal lassst night, but that motherly Lamia instinct came in handy again." Kurosawa had realized that female Lamia's naturally reacted to comfornt their young by squeezing them on impulse. Meaning they can do it in there sleep, if somthing feels wrong or they are squirming to much. Basically somthing to calm the child down, but the result for a human... it wakes you up because it is a bit tight for somthing that doesn't have the strength, nor flexability of a Lamia.

 

[Eclipse Jalorda]

Biyu couldn't help but be particularly fond of the Prince's speaking voice. It had such a gentle, musical quality. It was so soothing, and yet, it could be so strong and commanding when he needed it to be. Biyu was lucky to be able to spend most of her days listening to her favorite sound. It was an innocent enjoyment, a calm fondness for the sound that she heard the most. It didn't matter the task, she'd do it gladly if the Prince's voice was involved in one way or another. Even something as mundane as a breakfast decision was a lovely thing when he spoke about it. Biyu smiled softly, and nodded. A classic breakfast with plenty of eggs it would be then. Perhaps something sweet, so that the Prince's day would be assured to be a sweet and pleasant day.

Her happy thoughts about his voice faded and a small frown sprouted on her face. "Another, your highness?" Biyu said softly, uncoiling from her sunning position and slipping to his side, gently placing an arm over his shoulders. His nightmares worried her. They never woke her, she just curled tighter around him, apparently waking him up, but that alone added another layer of worry. She didn't want to accidentally crush him in her coils while she slept, adding a painful night to his already painful dream. She wished she could find a way to just make the nightmares stop forever, but no matter what she tried, it didn't work. Keeping the chef from feeding him certain foods, subtly having the room rearranged so his bed faced in a more 'positive' direction, special good dream charms and tricks, nothing seemed to cure the Prince of the shadows that plagued his dreams. The most she could do though, was console him whenever she could, and continue to keep him safe at night. She just wished there was another way.

"I am sorry you had another nightmare your highness. I wish I could do more." She admitted softly. "The only thing I can offer you though is a good meal to start your day, and my ears, if you ever want to talk about it. I'll always listen to anything you want to say." Even if it wasn't her job, Biyu would listen to the Prince anyway. She couldn't fathom how someone could know that a person suffered from nightmares and not offer to help them. Nightmares were bad. The Lamia regard them as bad omens, or at their worst, curses. Biyu tried her best to keep the kingdom's culture in mind, and just think of them as, nothing superstitious, but she couldn't help but secretly think that perhaps there might be some sort of curse plaguing the Prince. She couldn't bring it up though, she would surely come across as helplessly silly if she came out blabbering about curses and such things. It wouldn't do, she needed to remain the calm and kind advisor, not the crazy advisor who whispered old folk tales from her homeland into the Prince's ear. She quietly removed her arm from his shoulders, offering him her most reassuring smile.

Biyu reluctantly slithered to the door, opening it and holding it so that he could pass through. She wanted to sit there for a while longer, allowing both of them for a few more moments of quiet, but she couldn't hold the day off any longer. If the Prince truly desired to talk with her about the nightmare, then he could always put off one of the items on their agenda to do so. She would not argue with him, regardless of what they had to get done. She knew she ought to be like the others, pressuring him to get everything done, to do this and that, to be the perfect prince. She knew that it was good for him, politically, to be the perfect prince. But there was already so much pressure on him, so many people shouting at him to march to their beat, to be what they expect him to be and more. Biyu couldn't bring herself to add her voice to the already deafening cacophony. Besides, she doubted her behavior had any real impact. She didn't think that the nobles and generals and whoever else the Prince dealt with on a daily basis cared much for how she supported the Prince. Her voice didn't stretch as far as her tail did.


She anxiously tugged at her glove as they traveled down the hallway. The staff all bowed to the Prince as he passed, shooting Biyu a friendly smile if they could manage it before she and the Prince moved on. The others were skilled at moving their work around her, but Biyu was still worried about accidentally clipping a housekeeper with her tail or knocking over a bucket or some other household object. She'd nearly knocked over the Prince himself more times than she cared to think about. She was able to catch him well enough, but she was still moderately embarrassed over the memories. She shook off the blush and gave a small wave to a butler who opened the door to the dining room for the Prince. Biyu waited for him to pass through, before quickly entering the kitchen, relating the prince's desire for eggs, and adding on a nice sweet porridge for him. Its warmth and sweetness should do his day some good. Strawberries too, to ward off any negativity. A good thing about putting in the Prince's meal orders was being able to make requests for, folkish, reasons, and not have them questioned because he was the prince and could ask for whatever he wanted at a meal. Biyu returned to his side with a cup of tea. "May this warm you up." She said brightly.

 

[shyone]

Nodding his head slightly he looked in the Lamia's direction with a soft smile, "Yesss Biyu another one... though it was particularly bad one last night, essspecially sssince... Well since I couldn't sssave you thisss time." The way Ryou said it was with a certian note of acceptance and with a tone that showed he didn't let his dreams get him down all that much. He never mentioned it to anyone, accept for Biyu, but even he somewhat shared the Lamia viewpoint on dreams. Though the exact details on how the prince view them were a bit more of a closely gaurded secret even from the Lamia. As she slithered over to his side the prince did as he was always prone to when she held him, which was to hold her as well. Slipping his arm gently around her wasit the Kurosawa nuzzled his face into her shoulder sweetly. If thier was one thing the young man seemed to enjoy, it was his gaurdian's psychial contact. There was certianly a comfornting feeling in the strength that the human could feel in Biyu's coils.

Never taking his head off her shoulder the male gently curled the fingers of the hand he had around Biyu's waist with her gloved digits. Nuzzling his face sweetly into her shoulder again he in a reassuring tone, "Biyu it isss nothing for you to worry about. In fact you are doing more than anyone elssse could at the moment to keep away the bad dreamsss. Besssides just knowing you are there protecting me when I sssleep is the bessst thing in my opinion. If you want to though, maybe we could get them interpreted?" He laughed softly, in the manner of someone who was thinking of doing somthing a bit sneaky, and certianly not laughing at the Lamia belief in dreams, "I am sssure we can find waysss to talk to sssomeone who knowsss a bit about that. Unlesss you do Biyu?" The look on his face was one of geniue curiousity, as he was sure that his Advisor knew a little bit about such things. "As for detailsss of the dream itssself Biyu... I think it would be bessst if we left that coversation for a time when we can curl up alone together. Whenever you think that we might have time to do that of courssse?"

The shiver that ran through his body gave away the fact that they disturbed him some what. Plus people thought he was a bit crazy enough that Kurosawa didn't want to add bad nightmares to the mix. It was obvious that Ryou wouldn't mind talking about the nightmare, as for when and were... well he was leaving that up to Biyu. Especially since he knew that she would be best a figuring out a time that they would not be intruppted, and the Lamia would not be caught coming across as a fool to people who just didn't understand her culture. "I guesss at this point though, a good meal would probably be for the bessst. Consssidering if we don't get going eventually they will come and start trying to intruded on thisss mossst peaceful of momentsss." Though Ryou waited until she had let go of him before letting go her, and following after towards the door... making sure to be careful of the Lamia's tail. Though Biyu as usual seemed to be well in control of her long apendage.

As they both exited the room and traveled down the hall towards the dining room, the prince noticed the slight blush on his Advisor's face. Kurosawa assumed that her anxitity was mostly over the fact that the Lamia was worried about tripping people with her tail, considering how the staff that passed them needed to work around her. Gently the male took her hand in his own and gave it an affectionate squeeze. Looking up at her with adoring gaze, it was one which he had given the Lamia many times over the years that they had been together. Kurosawa admired Biyu, and dispite the fact she was a bit out of place in the palace... he did his best to make sure that she never felt that way. He did worry sometimes about the day he would become Emporer, and would have to pick a queen. The male had grown so used to the feeling of Biyu's coil's... he didn't really know if he felt comfrontable having anyone else share his bed. Even if Biyu's presence there had always been somewhat plotonic.

His entrance into the dining room was a bit less poised than his walk down the hall, as he moved quickly to claim the larger side of the table by sitting in the middle. Normally breakfeast was a time that advisors and his general's, though those from the military were always welcome in the prince's eyes, to come and lay out things for the day. So instead of sitting at the head, he liked to sit on one of the longer ends for Biyu's sake. So that the Lamia could curl up around him, hold him in her coils while she sat next to him, or simply curl up next to him... whatever she wanted there was room for it. All that matter was that he wanted to show that she was at his side when it came be an Advisor, and how much he expected her to be respected. This was never a problem with Ryou's generals, who respected Biyu's military knowlegde... as for his advsiors it was a differnt matter. The problems being a mixture of xenophobic untones towards Lamia, and a worry she had the prince's ear a little to much. So really... typical palace politics with a twist.

 

[Eclipse Jalorda]

Biyu watched the generals and advisors come in, bowing to them as they took their seats around the prince. The generals were always the most friendly to her, and she appreciated their kindness. They appreciated the guerilla tactics the lamia used in battle. Their most common tactic was disguising themselves in their surroundings, separate their enemies into manageable groups and then overpower them. It was particularly useful in the now nonexistent jungles that the lamia once made their home. The generals took their seats, exchanging greetings with Biyu as they did. She made light conversation with them as the other advisors slowly spilled in, their negativity already flooding the room. She wasn't sure why they didn't like her, but she tried her best to keep it from getting to her. Biyu knew that if she got into, confrontations, with any of them, then it would just make things more difficult on the Prince, and she would do anything to keep that from happening.

As it was, his earlier words replayed in her head. He couldn't save her this time. So she died in his dream. It was a chilling and uncomfortable spot. Not only did she die, but this time. Her loss, or risk of her loss, was apparently a re-occurring subject of his nightmares. She worried what sort of loss he might be cursed with. Or, if it wasn't a curse, what sort of loss he might fear. Or why he would fear at all. She knew he knew of her loyalty, that there wasn't anything that could pry her from his side. But what could inspire such discomfort that it would plague his dreams. She wished there was something, anything that she could do to help him. Biyu sighed softy to herself, looking up and politely greeting the advisors as they sat down, ignoring the short and grumpy tone their replies held, and the looks they gave her as they sat down. She ignored them, instead mentally going through their schedule, wondering if there was a moment that she and the Prince could sit down and just speak to one another. She didn't think they'd have that luxury, unless they spoke right before they went to sleep.

Biyu coiled up next to the Prince, giving the workers bringing in the food room to do their job without worrying about tripping. She was pleased to see that they'd made the simple meal look so luxurious. The advisors seemed to disapprove whenever Biyu suggested that the Prince eat 'peasant food'. She didn't really understand what made a dish undeserving, but at least the kitchen staff knew what made a dish deserving. And that was far more important. She quietly murmured her thanks as the staff finished serving the table, watching them disappear into the kitchen. She half-wished she could join them, but she knew that she had to stick to the Prince's side, even if the conversation would just sour his breakfast with work. She just smiled though. Smiling was important. If she was friendly then it would just ease any conversations that they had. The advisors were the ones who launched the conversation first.

The advisors began to talk about possible brides for the prince. Various princesses from allied countries, or from countries they wanted to align with, high nobility with money and beautiful daughters. It made Biyu uncomfortable, although she wasn't sure why. She had spent so many years with the Prince, knowing that some day he would have to get married. It was his duty, as he would become Emperor one day, and every Emperor needed an heir. She just wasn't expecting that conversation, not so soon. She wasn't sure why it bothered her so much. Perhaps she was just concerned with the type of woman the other advisors might try to set him up with. Yes, that was probably it. He deserved better than the average power seeking noble. Plus there was the matter of his nightmares. She would need to make sure that the woman he was going to marry would be able to handle his nightmares. Or, perhaps she would just have to find a way to solve his nightmares before he got married. Then it wouldn't be a problem for anyone.

Biyu just quietly ate her food, watching and listening as they moved to the top of the day's itinerary. She hid her relief at the topic change well enough. He was to have a longer meeting with the generals after breakfast, meet with some nobles, look over their most recent treaties, meet with some ambassadors, study politics, meet again with the advisors, a host of meetings an conversations. The only time he could have a moment to himself was a very brief window for him to take an afternoon meal. Other than that, he would be dragged to and from across the palace grounds the entire day. Biyu was worried that the stress might be what was causing his nightmares, but she was powerless to do anything about that. The only thing she could do was try to keep him healthy. Biyu glanced at the Prince, trying to exude and aura of peace and serenity. " How are you enjoying your meal, your highness?" She murmured softly as there was a slight break in the constant noise.

 

[shyone]

Sitting down at the table the prince greeting his commanders as they came in and began to join him at different spots on their side of the table. The way that the Prince talked to the men, it was quite obvious that the prince was more comfortable in the company of his generals than he was when around his advisers. This was especially the case because of the respect that they seemed to show Biyu, since it made the overall atmosphere just feel a lot more at ease. The young man seemed to be quite interested in any news from the front, even though they were meant to meet about that later. It was quite obvious that war was something that the soon to be Emperor was interested in. One of his general had come over to sit down next to Ryou, and the two constantly seemed to be whispering back and forth about something. It was that Kurosawa had been conducting a long and hard fought campaign in the south to try and regain a proper homeland for Biyu's people. The reason he was trying to keep it a secret was that he wanted to give it to her as present... for being their for him all these years.

It was about this time that his advisors started to spill into the room and took up their places around the table. Though Kurosawa found that their less than positive attitude about Biyu's presence was really starting to get on his nerves. There was really nothing he could do about it though, beyond that extremely cold and doll eyed stare that he sometimes gave. It normally worked to shield Biyu from anyone's words. There was also the annoyed nudge that some of the larger and more battle hardened generals gave the small scholarly advisors. These were men who had at one point under Ryou's father fought the Lamia's in battle, and had the scars to prove it, along with there respect. This included the Captain of Ryou's Imperial Guard... who especially wasn't about to see the prince's guardian insulted in such a manner. Soon though even Ryou was distracted away from such things as the food was brought out, and he gently thanked each servant that sat down a plate.

He was very quick to dig in and start eating the food as it was laid out in front of him. The more simplistic nature of the meal brought a sense of comfort to the princes belly. As well as his natural well being in a overall sense. The cooks that made food for Ryou were some of the best, and he always made sure that they had the best ingredients of even the simplest things. Such as the chickens that laid the eggs came form a royal hatchery of hens... that the prince tried to tend to with loving and adoring care whenever time allowed him. Of course he also liked to use the time when he was outside like that in order to spend time alone with Biyu. It was always a good chance to talk, at least if they could get away from the advisors long enough to go on a walk. It was obvious that was what he was thinking about at the moment... as he glanced over at his guardian and gave a soft smile. The Lamia had always taught him the importance of being pleasant, and so that was what he was going to do.

The Lamia wasn't the only one who was made uncomfortable by the conversation about finding him a bride. There was a reason that Kurosawa was the oldest of his fathers son who wasn't yet married... and that was because the prince seemed to always do his best to deflect the topic. Of course this time he knew that it would be a lot harder to do, and so that was when he did something that he normally did to throw off his Advisors... as well as to make himself more comfortable with a situation. Reaching over the male gently grab hold of Biyu's tail and gently pulled it over towards himself, before wrapping it around his waist. The prince didn't use enough to disturb the way the Lamia was curled up in her spot, but it was enough that he felt the weight of her tail in his lap... which he softly began to pet in a very nonchalant manner. To Ryou it was certainly a comforting feeling to have his guardian this close, and in a way it was his method of tuning out the Advisors about any potential bride.

Then suddenly he had the most wonderful idea, as he slammed a hand down on the table along with the drink that he was holding. It was quite the uncouth action for a prince, but then again given he smile on his face it was quite obvious that this was normal Ryou behavior. Looking right at some of his advsiors he said, "You know what sssilly boysss... I think my meeting with you guysss will be later tonight if you don't mind. I am sssure that mossst of you would be more than happy to ssstay up a bit later than usssual to accomdate the time of your prince?" It was very uncharacteristic of Ryou to be a bit on the heavy handed side even with advisors, but given the playful wink he shot towards Biyu... it was obvious what his goal was. He had a feeling she wanted to talk to him, and so he was giving her the time to do just that....