Necessitas is the mother of frustration

[gladtoseeyouidiots]

Her parents are actually going through with this. Carolina has negotiated and argued for countless hours now, only to find out that they signed the treaty behind her back. Never mind that she will one day rule the country of Necessitas in her mother's place. She's being married off like chattel to a man who cares more about his profligate affairs with various lovers than about his own kingdom.

Some stories call him a demon. Carolina is already convinced he's a monster.

She won't weep. Not in front of the court. But when she sweeps into the privacy of her own room, angry tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "This is wrong," she whispers.

Comments

[protective_logic]

Oh Lor and Shikan, why this vanguard to test his lovers? Delta should not have come. He should have stayed back in that room to keep an eye on that maid girl Daphne. But no, he came to be supportive, and now the large man is approaching his men.

"Big," he mumbles under his breath again.

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

Maine doesn't hear him. He does approach, though: in the apparent absence of the prince, he's probably better off leaving these documents with the most academic-looking of the lot.

"For your prince," he says.

[protective_logic]

"Y-yes," Delta stammers. Oh dear the mm is looking at him and talking to him. He reaches out and offers his hands for the papers. When they are handed over he tucks them into the maples sleeves of his robe. Which is too hot for this outfit. But the stuff out here is so revealing.

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"Are you the mage?" He has no idea who is who in this pack--York barely introduced them--and if he wants to assess them for the competitions, he needs to know who's interested in what.

[protective_logic]

"Yes, and no," Delta notes nervously. "You want Sigma. The one whose shirt is open. He is here to learn at the Mage college."

Why are they talking?

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"You're a mage." That's good to know, even if he isn't the one who fended off the assassin. "Did you want to compete?"

That's what he's here to find out. (Among other things.)

[protective_logic]

"My magic isn't... competitive in nature," Delta answers, his words becoming a soft mumble. What in the world is going on? HE feels a bit like a younger man again, like he was before York helped him find confidence in some ways.

Lor don't you dare turn back time to that Delta.

"I'm merely his steward. I do not believe there would be something in which I could compete."

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"Magic isn't required," he says. There are other things this mage could do, if he so desired. "You aren't interested?"

[protective_logic]

"I am a servant. I will entertain none to see perform. The fire mage is a student at the mage college now. IT will be expected of him. The Prince's friend and companion, the one doing the knife work, he will do it for pride. The head of the guard to prove his competence at protecting the Prince. And the Prince himself if he can get away with it for the joy of competition. But who desires to see a scholar doing anything but failing?"

Well, that's the most he's managed to say to the man. Too bad it's only a thought running wild in his head.

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"Our scholars don't fail," Maine says, suddenly defensive of his surrogate home. "They compete in puzzles and tests of logic. As could you."

[protective_logic]

"Tests of logic?" Delta asks curiously.

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"Contests to solve riddles. Word puzzles. Lore challenges." All sorts of things.

[protective_logic]

For those Delta has to beam. Those sound amazing. "Logic based riddles or those based on local knowledge? What are the linguistic differences? Oh please, I would enjoy those."

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"Both," Maine says. "Cultural knowledge or logic. Don't know the differences."

He's a bodyguard, not an academic. The man's enthusiasm makes his expression soften, though.

[protective_logic]

Oh. His face is nice when it's not hard.

He doesn't even know that he speaks the words even as he thinks them, just continues on with what he means to say.

"I would prefer logic based puzzles. It is something I pride upon."

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"Would you consider a test?" he asks. "To see what the challenges will be like." And to assure the judges he can compete.

[protective_logic]

"Of course," Delta smiles. "It is only right to make sure you have competitors who will enhance, not diminish things."

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"This afternoon?" He doesn't have the challenges on hand. The judges like to give those in person. "I can escort you."

[protective_logic]

"It would be a true pleasure," Delta smiles and nods. "I want to prove myself."

This is not a date. Maybe.

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

Maine can empathize with that. "Meet at your suite?"

He could have Daphne escort him, but that might blow her cover.

Re: This is not a date. Maybe.

[protective_logic]

"Of course," Delta smiles. "Should I have a selection of foods sent for the testers?"

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"Foods? Why?" Is this a ritual from his nation, or a bribe?

[protective_logic]

Delta pauses, looking at the man in shock. "Well, it is customary that when one invites guests, especially when asking them to come out of their way for a favor, to provide light refreshments."

Plus the custom that sharing food together under one's roof makes the person visiting an honor guest, and to bring harm upon that household during their stay would bring down the retribution of the gods. But he supposes that might not be a tradition here, if they even worship the same deities. Strange how he didn't think to look into religious customs here.

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"You're our guest." Does that mean he should be providing food? This isn't a usual tradition in Necessitas. If anything, it reminds him of home, and the old tradition of bringing an animal for your host to cook.

[protective_logic]

"And you have provided us with shelter, support staff, and the kindness to welcome us into your traditions," Delta counters with a small, knowing smile. Wouldn't hurt to make the Lady, through her servant, think that she's failing somehow in the realms of courtly manners to her guests.

"As the space allotted us has been said to count as our place under our rules until such time as our departure or an agreement otherwise, then welcoming those individuals necessary into our space to judge my skill means that I have a host duty to them to see that they want for neither food nor drink while they are present."