Vigilance (with MysteriousD)

[Innocent Anathema]

Sparx

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Word had been sent out to find the legendary barbarian fighter that was famous in the North. Some redheaded woman that just went by the handle of Flame. After careful negotiation, it was determined that she would come to the palace and take up the position of the prince's guardian. Interesting. What sort of prince needed protection and from who? That really left Flame to wonder but she made the journey South none the less.

It was dark when she'd made it to the palace. She bathed since that seemed to be the polite thing to do even if it did make her scent sharper by removing the dirt. Some fuss was made by the guards and some chancellor came to speak with her. The man frankly looked scared of her but she was informed that it was far too late at night to make any introductions at this hour and that the prince had retired to his room hours ago. So, she would be brought to him in the morning.

Yet, Flame was itching and restless after her long journey. Being confined to a room was not her idea of unwinding. So, she did what any good barbarian woman would do. She climbed out her window and used the different statues and ornate finishings to climb her way along the outside of the castle. At least, until she reached a balcony. She sniffed lightly at the air. Now, who's balcony might this be? She wandered across the balcony slipping to the shadows and found the doors closed. Pity but not enough to stop her. Lock picks later and the door swung open near soundlessly. Peering inside, she could see that it was dark and still. No one was inside stirring. Then she spied someone sleeping on a bed and a feral grin crossed her features as she slipped into the room quietly and sauntered into the room quietly to get a better look. It was far too easy to sneak in here to not enjoy something for her time.

A man was asleep on the bed and she tilted her head to the side watching him. With a grin, she slipped onto the bed and crawled over him quite smug that she was able to get this far without waking him. Her face leaned close to his studying his features. Who was this man? He must be important to have his own room. Her hood shielded most of her face except for a few whisps of red hair that were trailing out toward his cheek. Those green eyes of hers flashed in the moonlight as she leaned a little closer to his face. Her lips almost, just almost brushed his as her gaze studied his face as she tried to place him yet, he had an enjoyable scent.

 

[MysteriousD]

The Kingdom of Goldwoods... at first glance, it was a rather modest kingdom, known for its lovely gold-colored forests, its access to crystal caves, beautiful scenary and having the largest literate populace on the continent. However, beneath its exterior laid power. The Power of Magic. For Goldwoods was a kingdom of magicians. Founded as a small village of magicians, it grew in power as various groups and peoples flocked to it and soon it became a surprisingly powerful kingdom, with the Royal family possessing obscure yet completely powerful magicks, lost since the ancient days when the Gods ruled the lands.

However, people have begun taken more notice of Goldwoods, wanting to possess that magic for themselves. While the various different mages and the somewhat odd group of mercernaries who lived in the area have been enough in protecting the lands, King and Queen Vendrix they decided they needed to find a bodyguard for their oldest, Diego. The Princes were pretty different in their approaches, attitudes and expertise. Diego was a scholar and always possessed an interest in the magical arts while his brother preferred more physical activities. Despite this, their parents loved them both. His brother did possess magic, albeit in a more subtle manner that suited his physical style while Diego was just a resevoir of poweful magic yet volatile. Like taking every storm to have existed and bottling it up.

Diego could defend himself pretty well, but he was prone to potentially tapping into too much of his magic and causing large amounts of destruction. This along with the fact that this unique capability is why he needed a bodyguard. They sent their younger son, Sebastian, to find someone. Through his contacts, he reached out to a legendary fighter up in the north, a woman named Flame. Diego was told about her, but only the much they did though. Diego had been accepting of his parents decision and he only hoped the person was friendly.

He was told by the Chancellor he would meet her in the morning and so he went to bed. He was a doughy figure. For some reason, when he ate, he ate alot. However, according to the Royal Doctor and Royal Alchemist, it was because of his unique magic. It was like stocking up on firewood for future fires. Of course, it would probably be easier if Diego could use more of his magic better. Beyond that, he didn't look any different. He possessed light olive skin, so he looked a bit paler than the average person around the southern lands with brown eyes and dark colored hair. His glasses rested on his nightstand while he slept. The entire palace possessed charms and magicks of its own, powerful protective wards though since Flame had no malicious intents, it was why they did not detect her.

Diego stirred a bit when he felt someone slip into his bed, but he was still fast asleep. However, having sensed a presence nearby, he couldn't help but snuggle up to the person, an arm even going to try and bring them closer. Diego was always a hugger and he liked showing physical affection to people. Yes he was viewed as a bit odd, but he always meant well and eevr gave up in trying to improve the lives of others.

 

[Innocent Anathema]

Sparx

The redhead was still trying to figure out just who this man was making up some idea in her head that he had to be some nobility to have his own room. Yet, it was his scent that got her as she breathed in off his skin. At least, it did until he made a move to get closer to her. She was immediately on guard and yet, this seemed an innocent gesture that she brushed off as she caught sight of something interesting on the nightstand beside the bed. A pair of glass lenses caught the moonlight and her attention as she leaned across the man reaching out to pick up the interesting bits of glass. They were joined by a bit of wire and got her curious about them. What were they?

An arm snaked about her waist as she was leaning over the sleeping man beside her and tugged down. Her balance hadn't been set well enough and the pressure was enough that she fell forward. Her armor was back in her room and there was only a thin shirt and a loin cloth to shield her body from his. Her breasts pressed and pooled against his chest as she found that she was stuck with her weight on her elbow beside his shoulder, still on her knees and with those bits of glass still in her other hand. Oh Hell... She froze and took a deep breath trying to keep it even and still that way to perhaps keep him asleep. She raised a brow lightly looking at his face. "You are a cuddly one, aren't you?" She whispered with a small chuckle.

 

[MysteriousD]

Diego smiled a little bit as he snuggled more to the warm presence that was in his embrace. He didn't know who they were and he was pretty much mostly sleep, but he likee feeling the presence of another person there. It was a doft presence and he felt a sense of protection from whomever was there. Diego himself was wearing just a thin shirt and some pajama trousers.

He would remain asleep for the night and he would not wake up until mid-morning, an hour or so after the sun had risen. He began stirring and slowly waking up. As he rose up, he began looking around for his glasses before he noticed they weren't there. If that wasn't enough to alert him, he turned to see there was a woman in his bed there with him!

 

[Innocent Anathema]

Sparx

In the end, Flame ended up unable to successfully pull herself away from him without causing too much fuss and probably waking him up. Gotten herself into a troublesome situation once again. Oh well, she'd deal with it in the morning and what man would really fuss at having a woman sleep with him, at any rate? So, she shifted until she could rest her weight on her side rather than on him. That still left his arm about her waist. With a roll of her eyes, she tried to shift it off her but he seemed less than willing to move off just yet. Ah well, she rested her cheek on his shoulder and studied the features of his face for a moment. Wouldn't it be funny if she'd happened upon the prince that she was to guard? Nah, this would probably be someone else at court and then they'd be looking at some scandal. Damn, nobility really didn't have much more to do with their time beyond gossip, did they? At least, those were her thoughts until his warmth started to make her feel sleepy. Her eyes drifted closed and she fell into sleep. She'd been hoping that he might move sometime later and she'd be able to slip away but seems that wasn't the case.

Come the morning, Flame's hood had fallen partially away from her face come the morning revealing that riot of red hair that drifted about her face like some cloud. A blue tattoo crossed her face from one ear to the other making an angle pointing down each cheek before splitting into a double line over her nose. Odd really, so was the lip ring but sleeping, she looked almost sweet. In one hand, she was holding his glasses from the night before. When he shifted, she stirred and blinked sleepily. Her eyes were green and her skin was more a light bronze betraying that she was typically outside a lot. Her arms lifted overhead and her back arched in a lazy, sensual stretch. "Morning," she murmured before noticing that she had those strange lenses in her hand once more. Those were held out to him. "Think these are yours."

 

[MysteriousD]

Diego was startled to say the least yet he took the time to examine the woman. Based on her skin color, she was definitely from the northenr region and her blue tattoo on her face added that she was probably from one of the barbarian tribes. This was reinforced by her attractive and muscular physique that clearly shown off by her light clothing she was wearing. Diego couldn't help but eye the bronze powerful woman as she stretched out as they're both now awake.

"Thank you," Diego managed to say before he put the glasses on, and now better able too look at her and admire her. "M-my name is Prince Diego. I'm guessing you must be Flame, my new bodyguard?" Diego asked as he got out of bed and was looking at her. It was still relatively early persay and the castle was a calming sort of peaceful. He knew that when he met her, they would need to go to meet his parents and talk to them. He figured she probably knew as well. As he got up, he helped her out of the bed as well.

 

[Innocent Anathema]

Sparx

Flame was sleepy still watching him lazily like some big cat. Those eyes of hers widened a fraction seeing that the lenses fit over his face and her interest stirred her into more wakefulness. A rich laugh left her lips at his introduction and guess on who she was. "Oh, that is rich. What are the chances of me wandering into your room?" She chuckled to herself highly amused by how the situation had played out before he offered her his hand. It confused her a moment and she stared at his hand like it was some foreign object. Did he think that she was an invalid unable of getting up on her own. That was assuredly not the case. Or... was that just a custom for royalty? Or was that just him? Or was it a ploy just to touch her? The reasoning mattered little really.

Her hand reached up and instead grabbed his forearm like she would a comrade in arms and stood beside him. Yet, she didn't release him just yet and stepped closer with her face close to his own. Her eyes narrowed studying him or rather those bits of glass on his face. "So those lenses fit on your face... what do they do?" She asked with a curious tilt of her head. One of her braids brushing her shoulder with the motion.

A little wry smirk crossed her features. "I am the warrior known as Flame, yes. Well met, Diego." Seems that she wasn't one for formalities or maybe she just didn't have the experience with them. Although, she did give his forearm a squeeze like she would another warrior before releasing him.

 

[MysteriousD]

Diego's inquiry was rewarded by hearing Flame's rather nice chuckle. She had a lovely voice. He coudln't help but chuckle back at the coincidence. From what he figured out, the entire thing was a chance encounter that he would meet his bodyguard like this. He was a bit confused at to her hesitation for why she did not take his hand at her. However, when she grabbed it, he relaxed and smile. He pulled her up like they were comrades. She was about as tall as him if not a bit taller. Granted, Diego was about average size for a male so that just said on how tall Flame was.

"They're to improve my vision. Given how some people are born with poor eye-soght, the lenses bend the light so you could see better," Diego explained to her with a smile while seeing her braid move when she tilted her head. She got a confident smirk which made him blush a bit and he gave a sheepish smile in response.

"Well, I'm sure my parents would like to formally address and so on," Diego said to her, his blush glowing a bit brighter when she squeezed his arm. "We should both get dressed," he said to her. "Would you like me to escort you back to your room?" he asked her with a shy smile.

 

[Innocent Anathema]

Sparx

Those green eyes of hers narrowed shrewdly at his mention that they were to improve his eyesight. Well, that made sense and she wondered just how that would work bending light. How would it look to peer through those lenses? Curiousity glittered in her gaze as she met his own once more.

"Dressed?" She glanced down at herself wondering if this was really considered that informal. She ran a hand over the back of her neck shifting those red hairs that brushed along her nape. "I suppose your people do have a thing for clothing." She put a hand on one hip considering a moment. "All of that cloth, I do wonder how your people really move at all."

She blinked at his offer to escort her to her room with a chuckle before shaking her head. "Oh, I can find it. I found you, after all." A grin flashed over her features as her nose wrinkled up cutely with another laugh. That amusement shifted back to curiousity and without a hesitation, she reached out and gently plucked the lenses off his face before holding them up to her own eyes. "Ooooh, they make everything blurry. How do you see out of those?" She reached out and carefully set them back on his face light as a feather really.

With a snort, she chuckled once more. "I guess I'll be seeing a lot more of you, Diego. I'll be good and wait in my room until everyone is ready." With a wink, she turned and slipped back out onto the balcony the same way that she'd come and made an easy leap over the edge of the railing. It was easy to catch a hold of statue and let her body weight swing herself forward before she let go dropping down into a balcony that was a floor below his but a good two rooms over. She landed on her feet in a low crouch like some cat and looked back up to the balcony offering a cheeky wave before slipping back inside to put her armor back on since really, that was probably the most formal clothing that she had.

 

[MysteriousD]

"Well, namely it's because of the coming colder weather. That and it was done to protect it from some of the more exotic insects and plants here," Diego told her in regards to some of the robes and such, tough also because it was for culture and such. Though he did wonder how much clothing that her and her people wore. He figured it would be more because of the colder weather, but then again, he could be wrong

"Well, I normally see things blurry, so when I put them on, I can see normally," Diego explained to Flame with a smile on his face. He was happy to have them back in his face and be able to see more of her. Upon seeing her wink, he blushed a bit and watched her begin making her way over to her room with her athleticism and skill. Diego's heart began beating faster.

He liked strong gals, especially those who were tall and confident. The image of her remained burned into his mind as he began putting on his clothing. It was a nice tunic and trousers along with his boots and robe. He adjusted his glasses before he began going over to Flame's room/ It wasn't that far though it took him longer to reach there than Flame did. On the way, he informed one of the statues to tell his parents that he woud be there with her soon.

Living statues were just one of the castle's many defenses after all.

 

[Innocent Anathema]

Sparx

Flame tilted her head to the side considering. "Clothing to keep warm and for protection? I suppose that I could see that. My people do similar things in order to stay warm with furs and such." Her favorite was a fur cloak that her mother hand made for her. Of course, what she didn't know is that her body was naturally adapted to her colder climate. That meant that what felt cold to Southerners just wasn't the same type of cold for her.

She'd enjoyed playing with his glass lenses and figuring them out even returning them to him. They gave him a rather smart look like he may spend quite a bit of time reading. She wondered if that was the case. Either way, she had a good time getting back down to her room. Had she been showing off? Perhaps but it'd also been practical. His time was precious, yes. She was here to be sure that he was safe. She'd also gotten into his room on her own and was more than capable of handling herself. This was simply the quickest way to facilitate his needs to get dressed and go about his day.

Back in her room, she ran her fingers through her hair to untangle the knots from sleeping and redid one of her little braids. Then she found her armor beginning to strap that back on. Leather boots with metal plating on the shins and top of the foot. Cuisses that covered her thighs in that same pattern of leather and metal plating. Her pauldron covered her shoulders and tied into her breastplate that did a good job supporting her breasts just as the name said. Seemed she had a small vanity as the metal had a small rose decoration between her breasts. Last but not least, bracers on her lower arms. The armor was very clean and looked after well even if it did have knicks and small dents in it here and there from doing its intended purpose of protecting her. She carried both a short and long sword on her back as well as a bow and several daggers that were harder to see on her person. Seemed she had a thing for weaponry but she saw them as tools and a tool was only as useful as it was available. So she didn't mind carrying them.

She wondered over the prince curiously. He seemed nice enough. A little smile played across her face at the thought but why had she been able to sneak into his room like that? It was worrisome. Did these people not have defenses in place? He hadn't even stirred when she'd gotten into bed with him. Well, other than that booby trap arm of his keeping her stuck in bed with him. No wonder that he needed protection. What would have happened if she hadn't been there with good intentions? Well, they were curious and perhaps mischievous intentions but no harm intended. At least, these were her thoughts as she waited for him like she'd said that she would. Since it probably wouldn't do well for her to go wander in search of him when she didn't know the lay of the castle just yet.

When she did hear him at the door, she cracked it, appraised that it was him before opening the door. Old habits died hard. Leaning in the doorway, she looked him up and down with his being dressed properly now. "Well, you cut a fine figure like that. Hello again. Flame, at your service, Diego." She bowed her head with a grin before looking toward him. "Guess we should all be introduced in the proper way, I suppose." That grin widened a little on her face. "Shall we tell them that you awoke to my pretty face this morning?" She asked with a laugh.

 

[MysteriousD]

Diego saw Flame appear with a smile on her face and saw her in her proper outfit. Seeing her there confident and strong in her armor, which showed off her body quite nielyu to saw the least. Diego began wondering if he should begin having magical armor try and be made for Flame. Most magic tends to not work well with most metals. Granted, this was mainly because of how metal seemed to work, which was related on how heat seemed to be sucked in by metals. However, alchemy was a strong field and he figured that it would be possible to make a good enough metal or metal substitute to help Flame with a brand new suit of armor to better protect her and so on. Seeing her smile was quickly something that Diego was growing very much to appreciate.

He blushed a bit at her choice of words, but he nodded with a smile.

He began leading down the hallway to the throne room. Diego then stopped by a statue and looked at it. It was that of what looked like some sort of guardian beast, a mix of man and beast. His hand glowed when he pressed is on the statue. The beast's stone eyes lit up green for a brief moment, confirming to Diego that indeed, his parents got the message and they were doing all right.

"The palace has alot of magical defenses and so on. That's why you were able to move about the castle and such. But most of it is confined to the caslte and as the crown prince, I will need to start venturing out for foreign meetings while also just seeing what lays beyond the walls. That's why my parents were looking for the best of the best with a bodyguard," Diego was explaining to her as they were going through the palace.

It was made out of stone, designed to be held together strong, tough and practical. There would be enscriptions in the ancient tongue and design, along with statues and so on of what seemed to ber various creatures and monsters. There were also a few unusual ligths and so on hanging around.

"Tell me about yourself," Diego asked Flame, genuinely curious and wanting to know more about her.

 

[Innocent Anathema]

Sparx

Flame was surprised to see his interaction with the statue and she'd touched it curiously after he'd left it. Strange thing. Of course, they did things differently down here. Magic was some novelty that had always fascinated her even if she saw it infrequently. It was still impressive to see.

"Not much to say really. My tribe was taken when I was younger and sold off. I was a pit fighting slave up in Draytha for a long time. A knight of your realm named Gavin purchased me. He said that I looked like his granddaughter." She sighed thinking about the old man fondly. "I was half-wild back then but he taught me to be somewhat civilized and to put my skills to good use. When he passed, I kept on trying to pass on the good turn that he did me. Helping others earned me a reputation as well as there wasn't a tournament that I couldn't win." She said with a laugh sounding pretty proud of herself for that accomplishment. "Then you needed my help. So here I am."

She really didn't have much in the way of manners since she was treating him the same as she would anyone else and walking at his side. Leaning a bit closer, she nudged him with her shoulder. "What about you? Always been cuddly?" A little chuckle left her recalling their night spent together.

 

[MysteriousD]

Diego listened to Flame talk about her backstory. He frowned when he heard of what had been her fate, but smiled when he heard of Gavin the Great. Gavin was one of the Knights from a neighboring kingdom on the other side of a nearby mountain, the Blackbriar Kingdom. One of the few allies of the Goldwoods Kingdom, the Blackbriar Kingdom was a more standard affair of knights and so on though they were deeper in a more ganrled part of the woods over on the other side of Blue Ridge Mountain. Furthermore, their current affairs was why they couldn't send someone to bodyguard Diego and why King and Queen Vendrix chose an outsider to guard him.

He was snapped out of his thoughts by her nudging of his shoulder and he blushed in response to her questioning about him being cuddly.

"Yeah, ever since as a kid. I was born as a Prince, but I never saw myself as different from anyone else, or at least, because of my status. But I was always kinda lonely as a kid. Even with my brother, we're kinda the opposite so while we always have one another, it can be hard sometimes just the two of us. He's the one all the ladies would swoon over and he's capable of alot while I'm the scholarly magic one. I mean, he has magic too and strong one, but his tends to be pretty physical... and I'm sure he has magic luck as well," Diego said, chuckling at that last part, recalling hos his brothers' fortune along with his natural charisma.

They were nearing the main door. "Maybe after wards I can show you a tour of the town," Diego suggested to her with a smile.

 

[Innocent Anathema]

Sparx

That blush was rather cute on his face and brought a grin to her own. Her initial thought of him being sweet seemed to be right on the mark but it was a fact that she wisely kept to herself. "Hmmm I believe we make our own luck. I wonder what yours will bring you. I hope good things. Mine always seems to bring me trouble that I have to turn on its ear to find that silver lining." She eyed him up and down appreciatively. "I wonder what sort of trouble that you'll bring me or me for you." She teased him just a little bit. Harmless fun really.

His offer to see the town with him was met with a grin from her. "Already wanting more of my time... I'd love to." The latter was a good chaser to that little tease. Why was she quite so keen on teasing him? Huh, maybe that blush from earlier was an appreciated sight. That and she liked the sound of his laugh.

Those green eyes of hers traced over the large doors and she took a deep breath letting her breasts rise and fall with the effort. "I guess we find out if your parents made the right choice for your guard. Shall we?" She reached to push open the door and see them both inside. Once inside, she looked about curiously before offering an arm across her chest with her fist against her shoulder in a sign of respect. "Good morning. I am Flame, reporting as requested and honored to be here."

 

[MysteriousD]

Diego blushed some more when Flame made a teasing comment in regards to how he will bring he trouble. Especially when she was eyeing him. No one ever eyed him like that before. Despite that, he still smiled. Her teasing was actually kinda welcomed and knew that none of it was even the slightest bit malicious. "Well, there's alot of people who are after me and my kingdom, so we'll have to wait and see," Diego told her with a bit of a shy smile, happy that she accepted in being given a tour of the capital city. It will take a longer while to show her the whole kingdom.

It wasn't long before they were at the doors. He opened the door alongside her where the King and Queen were sitting at, awaiting the two. From first glimpse, it was easy to tell Diego got his looks from his mother while his brother looked more like their father. While the Queen was looking somewhat relaxed, the King was looking more stern and focused, analyzing the two of them.

"Thank you very much for being here. Furthermore, we thank you for coming here to protect our son," the King said as he smiled a bit and got up. "Our son was born with extraordinary magical potential and our humble kingdom has become targeted more frequently as a result of the growing envy of our neighbors or ambitious empires," he was explaining as a matter of fact to her. "This arrangement is indefinite so you are considered a part of the kingdom, including part of the upper echelons of the Aegis Forces, our royal guard," he added.

"Please take care of our son. He is a good person and wishes to do so much good in the world," The King said as he saw back on the throne with a smile and waited to her Flame to respond.

 

[Innocent Anathema]

Sparx

Flame chuckled to herself as she crossed her arms over her chest for a moment. "Oh, all sorts of things for me to do then. Although, sounds tiresome for you." Shaking her head lightly, those whisps of her hair brushed her cheeks with the motion. "How lazy can someone be taking from others instead of creating it themselves." She snorted. "They'll miss the point of the pride in it and yet, perhaps that's why they make these foolha rdy attempts to begin with. A lack of pride and imagination. Eh, that's beside the point and will make it that much sweeter to kick their tail." From the smirk on her face, it was rather obvious that Flame enjoyed a good fight. She had the scars to prove it too.

When he opened the door and walked in with her. Those eyes of hers did a quick assessment of the room as was her typical go-to. Look for threats. Know her exits. Her hands down by her sides casually was the time that she focused on his parents. Those jade eyes of hers giving them both a quick study before glancing at Diego and back to the queen with a bit of a grin recognizing who he took after. Yet, the redhead was good and didn't comment on it just yet since his father took that opportunity to address her. She raised a brow at the latter part of her being part of the royal guard and the corner of her mouth quirked up just a bit. No tryout or anything. Just a handout. Well, that was something that the redhead wasn't quite used to at all except for that kindness from Gavin. Was this somewhat similar? She wondered.

"You are a good person," Flame said looking toward Diego. "That's easy for me to tell and there'd be no other that I would swear myself to." Taking a deep breath, she pulled her broad sword out of its scabbard on her back and dropped down to one knee before the prince holding the sword out to him across both of her palms. "My sword and loyalty are yours, Diego." Now, wasn't that interesting that she'd pledge herself directly to the prince and not in general to the family. Well, for one thing, she didn't know his parents and for another, he was to be under her guard. So, it felt right. Her eyes did flick to the queen. "You've born a good son," she commented and grinned hearing the queen chuckle in response. She glanced back to Diego once more. "Want to go look for that trouble now?" Oh dear, now she was asking for it or was she just teasing him outright in front of his parents. Could be both.

 

[MysteriousD]

"Magic is a gift that chooses its wielders and is a dangerous force when mishandled," The King said. He was not that versed in magic like some of his ancestors were though it seemed Diego had been born with the potential leaps and bounds over anyone else. As such, he needed to ensure his son's safety and everyone else. Diego's magic was tied to his emotions, his largest strength and potential weakness. Furthermore, some would want to use the magic for terrible purposes, either to awaken some ghastly abominations or for insidious megaincantations.

Diego smiled at hearing Flame's words that she was saying he was a good person. However, he was surprised to see her go and one knee and pledge loyalty to her. He blushed very brightly and felt a little embarassed about it. However, he also immensely flattered and honored. Diego did what he thought was right. Before she could get up, he also went down on a knee so that they were at eye level, that they were as equals.

"And I swear to my soul I will do everything to make sure that loyalty is not misplaced at all and that I'll take care you of as well," Diego said to her as he placed his hands on her shoulders before he was blushing at his impulsive decision and Flame's comment made it even more so. "W-well, I can show you the rest of the castle before we move on to the town," he said with a stammer before he went to hug and kiss his parents good-bye and they went off to continue their business.

 

[Innocent Anathema]

Sparx

It was probably one of the more solemn things that she'd done in her life: swearing loyalty to another person. Flame had always been independent and did her own thing. There was just something about Diego that she liked and appealed to her. It was a feeling that she couldn't exactly place her finger on but this, it felt like the right thing to do. Although, when she glanced up and saw him blushing at her action, well, she had to try not to smirk at the sight since it was rather cute. Why would this be embarrassing?

What got her though was when he got down on her level and looked her in the eye. She lowered her sword to rest on her knee as she met his gaze frankly surprised to hear him pretty much pledge the same. Well now, she hadn't been expecting that at all. There was a strange light in those green eyes of hers. No one, except Gavin, had cared enough about her to offer to protect her too. Her needing protection? It was laughable and yet, it was a reassuring gesture that let her know that he had her back. It felt almost, almost like when she was back with her tribe. That sense of fellowship. She teased him to lighten the mood but it still left her feeling a bit in awe. "Well then," she drawled more to herself than to anyone in particular and sheathed her sword behind her watching him go be sweet on his parents. "I wasn't expecting that."

"Well, since you're being all gallant and making sure that I'm familiar with your turf, why don't you show me around then?" She said with a bit of a laugh as they both headed out the door. "That went rather well. Of course, I'd already spoken at length with your brother. So, I didn't think that there'd be much else to go over. You look like your mom." A grin touched across her face at the thought. "I like them both. They seem to balance each other out rather well." She reached up and ran her hand through her hair scratching her head lightly. "I wish that I could remember my parents. I've often imagined that my mom was tall and that I got my hair from my dad. He would've been the fighter and she was probably in charge of making sure that we were all well-fed and looked after. Of course, I have no idea at all. There is a warm feeling inside me though when I think about them." She mused and glanced toward him. "You're lucky to have them."

 

[MysteriousD]

"Y-yeah. I guess I wanted to let you know we're equals and I wanna take care of everyone that's important to me and that includes you too," Diego said with a bit of a blush on his face when she was admitting on how she wasn't expecting for him to go on his knee and look her at eye level. "Well, Sebastian hasn't been one much for rules outside of when he wants to exploit them for loopholes," Diego said as he rolled his eyes a bit, thinking on the mischief his brother would get into back when they were younger. However, he then looked to her with a bit of a sad look when she talked about her missing parents and he wondered if maybe there was something they could do.

"Maybe I could help. The Royal Seer will be back in a few weeks and he's the best divining so maybe he could find your lost family," Diego suggested to her with a smile on his face as he was leading her through the palace. It included a few things like the weapon room, containing mainly steel-reinforced magic books to serve as impromptu shields along with spears and daggers, which Flame could see were staffs and wands with crystal points at the end. They were not heavy on physical martial prowess, but spears were always something they could do pretty well with. Others included some safety rooms, a few laboratories and other rooms like libraries and observatories.

Diego then heard a grumble. He realized he was hungry. "Since we're both awake, should we go and get breakfast? What do you like?" Diego asked her.

 

[Innocent Anathema]

Sparx

Flame found that she had a lot to consider with what Diego had said. It made her feel strange and wanted on some level that she didn't quite recognize that well. "Sleeping with you with a night makes me important to you?" She asked with a raised brow. Oh yes, she was very much teasing him and making light of the situation when she didn't know quite how to react to it herself.

That was until the conversation drifted off to his parents and the ones that she'd made up for herself since a dream was better than a void in her life. One simply didn't walk out of thin air. She'd like to hope that she was brought into this world with a purpose like her parents had wanted a child perhaps to take after them, to walk in their footsteps and lead. She glanced toward him looking a bit incredulous. "You think this See-er could find my parents?" She asked in disbelief and a little awe that it was even a possibility. Then she looked down in uncertainty. "Perhaps... perhaps, I don't want to know. I am not sure honestly. What if they aren't what I imagined?" She worried some over the possibility. "What if I'm not what they had wanted..." It was strange to feel insecure about herself. That was a new feeling as Flame had always been overflowing with confidence. So, this was strange to say the least.

A particular interest for her was the armory and inspecting what weapons that they had since that was her speciality. The books were curious as were the staffs and wands. Yet, they were probably something that she just didn't understand. There was something to be said about being well-rounded and well, this appeared as they were quite dependent on their magical skills. What if their opponent was immune? What then? She'd have liked to see some more bows in the least to make a stand from a distance but she minded her tongue for the moment as this was his home and she was a stranger here. Her priority was him, after all.

A moment passed before there was a loud growling sound and she glanced rather pointedly down to his tummy. "Well, that's a rather savage cry," she drawled with a smirk as he mentioned finding breakfast. That smirk widened. "Oh, I'm not that picky. Usually, I don't get the chance to pick and choose with what's available. What do you like?"

 

[MysteriousD]

As becoming a usual habit, Diego was blushing and reduced to stammering by her phrasing in regards to how she had become important to her. However, he was getting a little used to it and he liked her too much to tell her to stop. He kinda liked it in a way. From what Diego was getting, it was just Flame's way of being comofortable with people.

However, he was then surprised to see her become quite surprised at the possibility of meeting her family again. He saw her confident look shake to reveal disbelief, awe and then insecurity. He could understand what she was saying, especially when it came to insecurity. "Parents are people. And it doesn't have to be them, but also any one of your kin. I know the possibilities could be... frightening, but I've always tried to see the good in people and so," Diego confessed to her. He did not much, but he hoped that Flame's parents were good people who indeed missed her. "And at least you have me," Diego added, trying his best to reassure her.

He noted what she was thinking about in regards to checking out their weapons. He figured she probably was confused by their lack of variety. Msot of the people were not martial warriors and preferred not to. Magic resistant items and materials existed, but were hard to come by and could be overpowered through sheer force.

"Well, how about some pancakes?" Diego suggested to her as they were leaving the courtyard and gardens of the palace and were beginning to enter the palace town. Diego let Flame admire the various buildings and shops. It was a bright and bustling morning and many people were going about doing their businesses.

 

[Innocent Anathema]

Sparx

Flame was shaken by the idea of finding her family and/or kin. It was a daunting thought. Exciting and yet terrifying. It was a nice thought to hope for the best with them. It really was and really that positive outlook that Diego had was probably the better way to go about it. Otherwise, she'd be pretty muddled with worries over it. "I guess we'll see," she said with a little shrug. "I can't have appeared out of thin air." He'd mentioned that she had him and her green eyes sought his face with a little smile. "That I do." A little chuckle left her. "You're stuck with me since your parents liked me." There was that teasing again to try to save some face this time and build a little confidence back.

It was later that they were walking through the garden and Flame kept getting distracted by the flowers here and there with their bright colors. They were so pretty to look at. It wasn't too long before they were through the garden onto the cobblestone of the courtyard leading out to the town that she'd had to pass through to get here. "Oh this should be fun," she mumbled to herself as they went out the portcullis. She glanced toward Diego. "Pancakes? What are pancakes? And please don't tell me cakes that are made in a pan." The latter was a quip to keep from getting a wise remark. She lifted her head some looking around and tried not to notice how others were staring at her curiously just like they had upon her arrival here. "Have they ever seen people with red hair or do I have fangs or something? They stared the last time that I came through here too." With a snort, she jovially waved at someone that was outright staring at the merchant blinked before offering a half-assed wave in return. Of course, it could be the fact that she was a warrior, well-muscled, confident, well-armed and well, her armor was practical but it also showed off her body too using that as a distraction as well.

 

[MysteriousD]

"I'm happy to have you with me then," Diego told me with a smile, responding to her statemenet about the fact that she was with him. He liked seeing her confident, but also liking seeing her with a bit of a sheepish smile. He began wondering if she was using her teasing as a coping mechanicism in order for her to being able to deal with some of the stress in their life. He was happy seeing Flame look at the colorful vibrant flowers. There were many of them here for a wide variety of purposes.

"They're also called flatcakes or flapjacks. They are made out of batter and tend to be serve with fruits or syrup," Diego was explaining to her with a smile on his face, chuckling a bit at her response. "Well, red hair is prety uncommon. That and warriors from the north are rarely seen," Diego told her with a smile and indeed, he did find her quite pretty, especially in her confidence. They arrived inside of a building, where plenty of delicious smells coming in. There were some chefs making various foods behind some sort of counter while there were waitresses taking orders and such.

Diego led Flame to a nice seat and displayed was a menu showing off pictures of the items along with what they were in common. "This is a place specifically for people to go and eat," he explains as he was looking through the menu.

 

[Innocent Anathema]

Sparx

A soft smile touched Flame's mouth. How he seemed to enjoy telling her about the pancakes. A smart remark or two jumped to mind but she was good and held her tongue. Restrain on her part, now that sounded like a foreign concept. There was usually no filter between her brain and mouth. She did enjoy teasing him probably more than she should. It was just her way of trying to make him feel more comfortable around her though. "Hmmm I think I'll look forward to trying one or two." She said with a laugh.

"Do you not get many visitors around these parts?" She asked curiously as she ran a hand through her hair shifting the red locks about before a few fell lazily across her face. Was that why they were staring so much? They just weren't used to newcomers. That she could understand quite well. A soft chuckle left her as a smile crossed her face and she held her head a bit higher as if she was showing off. "Hmmm well lucky them for me to grace them with my presence." Another snicker left her. "I think they're looking at you, Diego. Not me. They recognize you, I bet." She nudged his shoulder with her own playfully.

The building that her charge lead her up to looked interesting enough and oh... a scent crossed her nose... smelled divine. The seats and tables inside were interesting and even how everyone were sort of huddled around each of those tables. "This seems organized..." They sat down and she bounced a moment on the cushy seat before giggling. "Hmmm soft on the tushy. Why would anyone want to get up from one of these chairs. I feel like my ass wants to grow into the seat." A little chuckle left her as she nestled her hips deeper into the cushion. "How do we get the food then? Visit the kitchen and take what we want?"