IN THE FOREST OF THE LOST

[beathollow]

it's all too perfect.

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[cirquedesang]

[So they're being watched.

They've been watched in every palace so far.

Given the facade of perfection here and that he knows she's been suffering under, he ignores the monitoring and walks faster down the path, whether or not anyone keeps up with him.]

[beathollow]

He can't progress to stage two without the others, but a few maids seem to be attending to the garden at the doors.

The princess is so wise, isn't she?

She's so humble and sweet, too!

[cirquedesang]

[Speedrun blocked--

But. Well. He can probably talk to the maids, right?]

Is the princess seeing visitors today?

[beathollow]

One startles, before smiling.

You seem to be a man of good standing... The Queen must approve, but she loves letting her daughter meet people who can guide her in life.

[cirquedesang]

[A h. In that case...]

Then I'd like to seek approval from the Queen, to tutor the princess, if she'd be willing to meet.

[If they have to go through mafumom......]

[beathollow]

Oh! How exciting! We'll send word out, but while you're here, please rest a bit! What do you teach?

One maid is humoring conversation, while the other ducks inside.

[cirquedesang]

[Hm. What does he teach.

Something to fit his own skillset that would apply to the fairytale-nature of this place. Something her mother would approve of, because someone in this motely squad should probably keep a good reputation if they want any hope of getting into the castle and reaching Mafuyu...]

Presence.

[A bit of a double-meaning there (for him and him only) but the maid is free to interpret it as charm and etiquette and such things like that. The art of not-wallflowering with grace, etc...]

[beathollow]

Ohhh, that's always useful... the princess can be a bit shy sometimes. She's so good with her subjects, though. Not a single person doesn't love her!

[cirquedesang]

So I've heard. [A nod!] Just imagine how much more beloved she'll be if she has the confidence to reach people who are not yet her subjects.

[beathollow]

Eventually, the maid returns and the front gates open slowly... And two lights float from the trees. A teal light circles around Sunrise and Argenti, and the feeling of being held in comfort touches their hearts- I'm with you.

A soft orange light circles around Celeste, Arven, Joshua, Yi Sang, and Ai- You're not alone. Let me sing for you, when you need the reminder.


...

Behind them, a red light flickers. Soujuurou will feel it calling to him. But will he urge it to come with?

[beautifulknight]

[ Oh...that's nice.

Argenti brings a hand to rest it upon his chest. ]

How beautiful...

[supherb]

[Arven catches up to Celeste around this point. He’s stuck close to the man in previous palaces, and he’s keen to do so again.

He finds Celeste in the middle of a conversation and offers the maid a wave before turning to him.]

Any progress?

[cirquedesang]

[A glance to Arven! Hey, that's +2 to the squad... good, good.]

We are presently finding out if the queen will allow the princess to take an audience today.

[supherb]

[He sees the angle that Celeste is working with the maid, so he nods and plays along.]

I hope she will. I’d…really like to meet the princess.

[He can’t help but feel like he’s walking on egg shells at every moment. It must be exactly how Mafuyu felt too.

He’s totally practiced with being polite around parents, at least…even if it internally disgusts him in this case.]

[cirquedesang]

As would we all.

[Thanks for playing along, Arven, you're a real one.]

And I should say a young prince from another land has as good a chance as any.

[That's you, you're the prince, and this is teasing because if he doesn't then the pressure will boil over.]

[supherb]

[His eyes widen with surprise and he almost says “prince?”, but he has to remind himself that the maid is there.]

Ah… [He puts on a modest laugh.] Do you think so?

[He feels so weird pretending to be a prince.]

[beathollow]

The maid watching like 👀👀👀👀 prince?????

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Eli finally tromps his way out of the forest, one (1) apple devoured and numerous smudges all of his clothes. He's still scrubbing the dirty handprint off of his face, assuming he can do that at all. ]

...don't do anything that would upset the mom.

[ He grumbles as a warning to Celeste (and Arven, who beat him there). ]

[beathollow]

He kinda can... texture-wise at least.

The maid seems to frown a bit as he approaches, but she forces a smile.

Don't worry. No one can be as perfect as the princess. She'll still see you kindly, too.

[fullmoonmutt]

[ ...ha ha, wow, he knows a forced smile when he sees one. People put on a nice face around him since they need his mom on their side. Shitty people. He opens his mouth to say something rude, but after a quick glance towards Celeste and Arven, he decides against it.

Mouth closes.

He'll just glare daggers at her instead. ]

[supherb]

[He flashes a knowing, sympathetic look in return. He wants to say something in Eli’s defense. He really does. But he’s kind of tongue-tied at the moment.]

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Eli catches the look and returns a grin and a wink. Yeah, yeah, he's being cheeky, but if anyone here needs some cheering up (besides Mafuyu herself), it's Arven. ]

[cirquedesang]

[Hm. That displeasure towards Eli sure is noted - and it's assumed there will be more where that came from for others, so.

Gonna start cooking up excuses for it, if needed. Something something rougeish bodyguard for the princess, etc.]

[supherb]

[He gives Eli an up and down look. Yeah…figures Eli would immediately fail to meet Mafuyu’s mother’s standards. He feels like it’s only a matter of time before his own clothes are smudged.]

I had a feeling it’d be like that…

[fullmoonmutt]

At least now we know for sure, yeah?