'It's not like this is a formal meeting with the Elders, why do I have to wear this thing?' Wren pouted to herself as she was finishing getting dressed. Her hair was a mess so she decided to quickly shower just a few moments before. Her hair was naturally curly, so if she didn't style it soon after washing, it would only need more product to keep her curls together. She decided on 2 braids today instead of her usual of one, so as she finished one side, she looked up to the wall where the clock was. "Oops, guess that took longer than I thought. Better hurry and finish the other braid." She quickly finished the other braid, fixed her bangs which partly cover the side of her eyes when split down the middle, and tied a thin black ribbon on the ends. Aster brought her two different outfits. One was a more casual choice; black pants and a dark grey long sleeve shirt, and the other was a slightly form fitting, long sleeve, deep violet colored dress that went just past her knees.
Wren groaned, it's not that she hated dresses, 'Pants are just a lot more comfortable, plus they have pockets,' Wren chuckled to herself, "Sorry Valen, but I shouldn't have been offered a choice," She quickly put her clothes on then reached for her ceremonial robe, which was made out of a lightweight grey colored material with an intricate black hemline. She then looked back at the clock, sighed, and prepared herself for the lecture she knew she would be in for later. "Well, since I'm late, I guess there's no other choice. Hopefully I've recovered enough to pull this off." Wren took a few deeps breaths and closed her eyes. She readied her stance and her mind, 'Focus...Breath...' After a few seconds of focusing her energy, strands of Wren's hair began to slowly start moving, as if there was a light breeze in the room, even though both the door and window were closed. After a few more moments Wren's clothes also began to flutter...
"Hey Jayce, where's Naya?" Aster was casually sitting in the small dining room. Jirobo and the other kitchen staff, were busy finishing breakfast. The main breakfast had already been served, so the staff was simply preparing what they had set aside from earlier in the day. Jayce was sitting next to Cole and Ari, and his face turned a light shade of pink due to embarrassment, "H-hey, why do you always assume she's going to be with me? It's not like we-Ouch! Okay who just hit-" Jayce looked behind him to see who had hit him, "Jasper, go figure! Why are you always so aggressive? " Jayce swatted behind him in efforts to hit Jasper, but to no avail. "You will never succeed with that aim. Found the Miss in question while I was coming back from the Eastern Garden, figured she would be attending." Behind Jasper was a giddy Naya. "Hey guys...hey Jayce!" Everyone that was there either smiled, nodded, or waved. 'She is always so cute, that smile if her is just some-thing-else!' Jayce thought to himself, as he was lost within his mind.
Jasper then went into the kitchen to greet Jirobo while Naya went to sit in front of Jayce. "Hey your hair looks longer now. Will you leave it this length or cut it?" Naya said as she reached across the table to touch Jayce's hair. Ari rolled her eyes, "Save this for later if you would, I'd rather NOT loose my appetite before the food gets too the table," Ari said with a sarcastic tone. "That's enough. Please take a seat and make your self comfortable. Lady Wren will, hopefully, arrive soon. Miss Vivi, please find a seat. Jirobo I need you..." Michael walked off into the kitchen and Vivi took a seat next to Aster. She wrapped her arms around his arm and leaned her head on his shoulder. 'Sheesh, so clingy,' as Aster tried to get Vivi to let go of his arm, Jasper made his way out from the kitchen and Jirobo soon followed. The other members of the kitchen staff exited next, bringing in carts of food. "Mm yummy! This smells so good Sir Jirobo. Thanks to you and the staff for the mean!" Vivi bowed her head slightly, and was all but bouncing in her seat ready to dig into the food.
Michael chuckled a bit, and helped Jirobo and the others distribute the food and drinks. Michael made sure to save a plate of food for Wren, once Aster saw that Michael was saving her a place, he bolted up and ran to the kitchen. "What got into the kid?" Jirobo asked looking towards the others, but before anyone could answer, Aster ran back out to the dining room holding a small bowl of strawberries. "I almost forgot. Madame requested extra strawberries, I hope that won't be any trouble Sir Jirobo?" Aster walked to Wren's still empty seat and set the bowl down near her other food. Since the war, the variety of food was diminished. They spent years trying to grow enough vegetables and fruits for everyone on the island with limited success. After some time, the different territories eventually came together to increase their likelihood of success with crops. Animals were also casualties of the war and since then, many species that once thrived on the island, are all but extinct, making everyone on the island, rely more on the Tradelands than in previous years.
"Nah kid, if it's for her, I'd gladly give the last fruit on this island." Jirobo smiled gleefully, closed his eyes, and cupped his hands to his face, making Vivi giggle to herself. "Oh, is that so? I seem to recall you stealing my last mango." Jirobo almost jumped out of his skin, "M-My Lady!? When did you-" Wren walked out from behind Jirobo and looked towards the others and smiled. Jayce, who hadn't seen anyone teleport until now, nearly choked on his food. *cough cough* "Also Jirobo, I seem to recall another-" *cough cough* Wren sighed, "Did no one explain to him our range of abilities? Get him some water or juice. Anyways, you Jirobo, also denied me strawberries on more than one occasion. Even when I offered a trade. Don't try and play innocent now," Wren was looking up at Jirobo, staring at him in the eyes. Michael and the others were chuckling to themselves, while Jirobo was sweating nervously. "Y-you can't just appear like that My Lady. You scared me half to death." Wren walked over to her plate and sat down, grabbing a strawberry in the process.
"I can and I will...You knew I had been saving that mango, yet you took it and ate it just like that. We have an extremely limited amount of whole fruit, you should know that better than anyone." During Wren's statement Jayce had finally stopped choking, and the others took their seat around the table. "My apologies Lady Wren. I was just-" Wren put her hand up to stop him from talking, "Just don't let it happen again," Jirobo quickly nodded. "Madame Priestess, the Elders want you present for the ceremony at the start of the new season, however with the Haruki incident, I as well as other Fire Unit members do not think you should do so," Ari looked to Michael to make sure she could continue; Michael nodded slightly. "With the potential threat of Remo or even Jabari attacking the temple and our people, even with our newest recruits we are still short handed." "I agree with Ari My Lady," Cole chimed in, all the while Wren was enjoying her breakfast.
'Mm, real food, finally!,' "The Elders wish to discuss this matter with you further. I have informed everyone here about the happenings of the recent attacks. I have also prepared some documents regarding the temple happenings while you were away at your mission leading up until today. After our meal, you are required to report to the innermost chamber to meet with the Elders. They do not allow even me to attend alongside you, My Lady, do be careful," Michael said in a matter of fact tone. Wren stopped eating and looked at everyone around the table. "Understood. Business aside for a moment, I missed being able to share a meal with you all. It has been entirely too long since we've done this. If you have a moment, I would like to take time with each of you individually to catch up on your recent activities and hear any requests or concerns you may have. Do inform Sir Michael about times your have available." Wren picked up another strawberry and bit it in half.
"Oh, Miss Vivi, will you be present in the medical ward later this evening?" Wren took the last bite of her strawberry as Vivi thought to herself for a moment, "Yes Madame Priestess, I will be there. Sir Shoyo was going to inform me about your progress." Wren nodded, "Good I'll see you then. For now, if any of you have anything you wish to discuss with me, now's the time," Wren smiled towards everyone. For a few moments, no one said a word, all that could be heard was the sounds of eating. "We are just glad you are back Lady Wren. The temple isn't the same without your presence," Cole said finally breaking the silence.