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

timeskip?

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"Late afternoon?" he asks. "When our lieges meet for their afternoon tour of the grounds."

Absolutely. Allow me to wave a magic wand.

[protective_logic]

"Alright," Delta nods with a smile. "I shall await your presence, and that of your esteemed judges."

---

Sure enough, he finds himself preparing the space just before the agreed upon time. A meal has been sent to their rooms, prepared with the help of the lesser chef they had brought from home. Delta thought it only right to offer the judges a taste of the cuisine of home while welcoming them. He even sets out a warmed pitcher of spiced wine, hot and lovely to be seasoned one last time with an ice cube made of more of the wine, frozen by magic and all the better to chill to the right degree without watering the mixture.

As for Delta himself, he sets aside the heavier robes he had been wearing before. When it comes down to it, the cloth is not nearly comfortable for the situation, and at this point he's finally had a tailor finish adding pockets such as he desires to the interior sleeves of a far lighter set of sage robes. Why the thing needs to be so billowy and slightly cut open on the front he does not know. The whole thing makes him a feel a bit mindful of himself, shy even. Fashion here is weird... Well, he'll give them credit for the absolute delight that is the sandals made here with thongs that lace all the way up to the knee, but for little beyond that.

And with it all ready, Delta waits in a chair with his eyes closed, meditating upon his magic to help it fight the anxiety in his mind.

yay magic

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

Finding the judges didn't take too long. They were more than happy to come once Maine promised them food. Maybe the little mage is onto something.

Maine leads them to the prince's suite, a small basket of pastries in hand. The baker knows what he likes. There's a good assortment of fruit, chocolate, and cream treats in here. The judges carry an array of papers--apparently an essay is involved for the preliminary testing?--and magical oddments. Maine will leave that for them.

He's just here to say hello. Knocking softly, he hesitates at the door, unwilling to come in without a welcome.

[protective_logic]

Well, that's a sign if any to rouse himself from the meditation. Delta uncurls from the seat and heads to the main door of the suite. All he has to do is remember that he is master of this domain in almost every way at this point to keep himself calm and collected as he opens the door and bows slightly to the large man there, as well as his guests.

"You do me an honor to make this time for me. Please, come in. I have arranged refreshments for us all," he greets them as he stands aside, keeping the door open wide. "If there is anything at all which you require, but speak the word and I will send someone to fetch it."

With that he looks to Maine, giving a thankful smile, which falters as he sees the little basket. Pastries? He is already almost drooling.

:sleepily hand-waves judge identities:

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"Thanks." Maine enters first, habitually checking the room for threats. Not that he expects to find any. The judges follow him in, ignorant of any potential danger.

"Brought these. As a token." He sets them on the table, and the judges follow suit with their materials. Maine takes a moment to introduce them.

[protective_logic]

Delta greets each in turn, complimenting small things about their appearance or bearing, or even their lives if he has heard tell of them before, and soon he has most of the group seated and drinks being served out before he turns his attention back to Maine.

"You mean to tell me that people in this land make treats out of chocolate? We only make drinks out of it. Well, that and eat the bars of it, sweetened of course and made into little squares."

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"My lady's pastry chef is very skilled," Maine says. "It is a rare treat." And an impressive one at that. But then, that's the point. Maine wants to impress him.

[protective_logic]

Impress it does, and leaves Delta a touch off balance. If he really thought about it he might find it to be the goal itself, if he can ascribed something so underhanded to this man. Then again, he does belong to the Lady, so it's entirely possible. Not that Delta's thinking about it as he looks with open desire upon the chocolate treat.

"Then I am doubly blessed to have a chance to sample it. But I fear I will be too distracted if I partake of it now. Chocolate is a rare delight back home, and to be allowed to have some a boon itself from my lord. So to sample this might find me distracted from our purpose, my lords..."

He needs to think about anything other than the chocolate right now. To taste it so soon after it was brought might make him want to reward the giver as he always did back home. And that would be massively inappropriate. Not to mention the fact that he might truly die of embarrassment to approach the man such.

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

Fair enough. Maine nods and motions for the judges to step forward. They can all eat first; he may be a lord back home, and Carolina's Vanguard here, but he has come as a guard. Let the judges do their job; he'll do his.

He does watch the mage carefully, though. And if he's more interested in green eyes and slender hands than in watching for weapons, that's...purely unintentional.

[protective_logic]

The judges collect bits of food and sit in the chairs Delta arranged before he composes himself on the floor before a low table. The judges soon turn their attention to him, and he spends a lot of time answering logic based riddles. But what really gets him is when the men lay out a board and pieces on it. They teach him the basics of chess and Delta delights it. In less than an hour of play he's beating the judges with ease. Predicting their movements many turns out is surprisingly simple.

"This game is a delight," he informs them as he beats the third judge. He's smiling widely at all of it. "I must bring this game back home."

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

Maine watches with interest. He's never seen anyone take so quickly to the game, and while he's no good at it, he can tell the judges are surprised by Delta's aptitude. Fascinating.

[protective_logic]

"You can easily acquire a set in the city," a judge informs Delta as they set up for another game

"I would like that," Delta smiles. "I can use it to help the Prince learn strategy and logic. Some of our usual puzzles would not suit him so much as this."

But really, he wants to show Sigma.

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"I can take you," Maine offers. Because that's only civil. Besides, the prince's men shouldn't wander the city unescorted. It has nothing to do with spending more time with the curious young mage.

[protective_logic]

That wonderful voice with so kind of an offer makes Delta's head snap up. And then he realizes how unseemly that is and looks away, fighting a blush.

"Thank you ser. I would be honored for the company and guidance."

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

The honor could very well be Maine's. The judges certainly seem impressed.

And was that a blush? Maine smiles softly. "I will escort the judges to my lady, then return for you." Give him a chance to breathe after all those tests.

[protective_logic]

Get ahold of yourself, Delta he tries to remind himself as the final judge waves off a match.

"We must go consult and figure things out," the judge notes. "Thank you for this chance to meet, Delta. I am sure we can find you a place in our tournaments, if it is alright with our overseer."

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

Maine lets them finish with their pleasantries, then shepherds the judges out. He's the last one in the room, so he nods politely.

Delta. Huh. He'll have to see what else he can learn about this mage during their trip to the city.

[protective_logic]

"Thank you for your assistance sir," Delta bows his head, and his body a bit. "And I thank you for the chocolate treats. I shall surely enjoy them."

Then he bows a little deeper and moves forward to close the door. That was nice. NO doubt the man will not return to show him where to buy one of these chess sets, but he'll live with it anyway.

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

Getting back to the prince's wing takes longer than Maine had hoped. The judges want him to give Carolina his feedback as well (never mind that Maine will report to her later, and in greater detail). It takes at least a half hour before he escapes.

Is Delta still expecting him? He knocks at the suite door and hopes he hasn't missed his chance.

[protective_logic]

He's sat at the low table, enjoying the chocolate based sweets since they left, reading a book on the local culture, and when Delta hears a knock at the door, he's completely shocked for it. He rises, expecting a messenger, and goes to the door as he finishes another one of the chocolate tarts. He doesn't even realize there is a smudge of chocolate on his lips when he opens the door, and all he can do is stare at Maine in shock and awe.

"S-Sir Maine. You've returned? Did you leave something?"

Maybe he brought news of whether Delta was accepted. Or... was he serious about that chess set thing?

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

Did. Did Delta not expect him to come back? Clearly he knows little of Cytherea, where a host's word to their guest is a promise.

"You," he says. He left Delta. "Would you like to tour the markets?"

[protective_logic]

Oh. Oh? Oh!

It takes Delta a second but he does get what Maine is saying at last. "Yes. For the chess set. I would appreciate that. You do me a kindness. I would not even know where to look."

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"I know," he says. "Where to look. If you'd like." He's not a big talker, but he does know the markets.

Don't look at that chocolate on Delta's lip. He's not as fond of chocolate as...well, some of his acquaintances, but he knows the temptation. It's good to know Delta has a familiar indulgence.

[protective_logic]

"I would be very grateful for that. Allow me to find my sandals."

Delta turns and rushes off, and a few moments later he returns, money tucked up in his sleeve and sandals on his feet. That done he closes the door behind him and smiles up at Maine.

"If you would."

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

He will. Maine holds the door so Delta can leave. He's accustomed to being an attractive door holder, after all.

It's nice to see the visitors acclimating, though. Better than he ever did, in fact. Maine still doesn't like sandals. Dalta makes them look comfortable, though.