Robertus enters back into the palace. His posture relaxes, as he dismisses his imperial guards with a gentle wave, signaling their leave for the night. He still doesn't feel at peace, there is still a melancholic feeling lingering with him; it was his own shadow. He keeps trying to push down the stress of ruling over Valhalla and his need for success so he can prove himself. Even with the support he has around him he still feels uneasy. This new development with the federation could prove interesting or disastrous. He met their current king when he was in his traveling era. They were friendly with each other as they worked together while playing poker. The federation throughout the existence of the modern Pimogie Empire has been their longest rival, war has been an ever-looming threat. The last war between the Pimogies and the federation wasn't even a century ago, it was when both of their emperors were around Robertus' age. Robertus' great-grandfather died in that war, being slaughtered with everyone else on Roma. He shakes off the stories of the horrors that were carried out by the Black Korps. He takes a deep breath as he starts making his way through the halls of the palace. At least now he can stop worrying till tomorrow, Juniper should help him to be able to relax. He wonders if Korë is doing fine, he hasn't seen her since he had her shuffle out the Cherwinskis. She won't be too happy if he spends the night only with Juniper; it might be wise to check on her.He looks around for someone to tell him where Juniper or Korë is, he continues along the hallway when he stumbles onto Meara and Tassa scrubbing the palace floors by hand with rags. He is surprised they are cleaning the floor, and even more so in such a laborious way, shouldn't this have been left to the Ratmon.Robertus smiles warmly as he comes up to them kneeling gently, before giving them both a kiss on their forehead as he greets them. "Is this Korë's doing? Or are you two just trying to get the floor to shine more radiantly than your own smiles." the two servants giggle at Robertus' playful jest.Meara sighs, "Well, we were talking about the Cult of Helios and well Tassa said, OW!"Meara stops talking as she rubs her arm glaring at Tassa who, rather roughly but still playfully hit her."Don't lay it all at my feet," Tassa retorts. Robertus smiles, they are almost like sisters sometimes, always causing and getting into some sort of trouble.Meara gives her another glare, before turning again to Robertus. "As I was saying, it turned to the subject of the Cult of Korë, and well... Let's just say Korë wasn't very happy, and well here we are." Meara says gently throwing a rag to the floor, letting it hit with a mild flop.Worshipers of Helios are rare if they even still exist, they were destroyed a long time ago by his ancestor Deus Aelia. The Cult of Korë is still alive."What did you guys say?" Robertus probes."They compared it to the crazed nature of the Helios worshippers," Korë's voice sharply interjects.Robertus looks up to see her glaring down at them with her turquoise eyes, she is draped in a fine silk robe. It's dyed in the softest shade of blue, reminiscent of a twilight sky, as it is filled with the last light blues of the evening sky's embrace. As she kicks her bare feet off the wall stepping into the center of the hallway, the loose-flowing fabric billows gently around her, as if there was a breeze in the still hallway. It still hugs her form showing off her beauty, she stands as if she were the goddess of her namesake, as the translucent almost transparent silk fabric almost seems to glow in the light of the palace. Robertus feels his heart falter, a ping of love beats through him, as he looks up at her glowing divine figure looking over him."Korë... I," Robertus feels his words catching on each other as he attempts to collect himself.Korë's eyes turn soft as she looks at Robertus a smile dances across her lips, "You're looking at me the same you did when we first met."Robertus stands up, the world around them melting away, "I would say you look even more stunning."He is going in for a kiss when he feels his lips grace her hand, "You are a fool to think, that I would so easily forget about the show you forced me to put on for the Cherwinskis. Surprising me with having to escort them out of the palace, I take it you just shoved them out at the end of your meeting, they wouldn't stop complaining to me." Her playful meanness switches to silliness, "You know I don't like playing sweet that's Juniper."Robertus groans playing along with her game, "Aw, but I know I can always rely on you. Plus she did it last time it was your turn."Korë giggles, "So why are you bothering Meara and Tassa?""I was looking for you." He pauses for a moment feeling he forgot something, "And I heard that Juniper was looking for me.""I heard she was in the baths, don't expect me to come join you two tonight." Korë has a hint of coldness in her voice, she then directs her focus down on Tassa and Meara. "You two will not be either.""Is something wrong," Robertus is taken aback by this sudden change in her tone.Korë places her hand on his chest as she gently pushes herself away slowly walking back to where she was before, "I just wish I could have more of you sometimes."Robertus is hurt by Korë's feelings of neglect, "You know I love you right, you and Juniper, we both know its not right to tie a heart down, especially one filled with so much love."Korë scoffs, "Just go to Juniper, I don't want to see you right now.""Korë don't be like that, I am here now if you want to talk," Robertus begs.Korë grows cold crossing her arms and turns away. Its clear she wants nothing more on the subject tonight, they will work on it tomorrow, Robertus is unhappy to have another item added on to his plate to deal with the next day. He lookd back down at Tassa and Meara they look upset and like that had just witnessed something they weren't supposed to. Noticing Robertus' attention back on them, they quickly turn away and get back to scrubbing the floor. Robertus gives one last look to Korë but she is looking only at Tassa and Meara.Robertus decides to just go to the baths, this little hiccup should be nothing more than a speed bump in their paths. Korë is going to probably request to bring him breakfast tomorrow and they can hash things out like normal. He knows she isn't really mad at him or Juniper, Korë loves them both. There is some jealousy there due to Juniper being deemed his primary, but to Robertus that really doesn't mean he loves anyone one any less or more. He hopes that Korë knows that with her being right behind Juniper. She has just as much power and being able to boss around guards and servants alike, although she has never worked to abuse this authority. He can't worry about this now, another thing for his plate tomorrow, to which he reminds himself again he will be able to deal with hopefully peacefully in the morning. He quickly moves past a Royal Guard helping a Ratmon move some laundry. The guard nods to Robertus, while the Ratmon is oblivious with the clothing blocking their sight.The palace itself is like a city, with its upper floors of the palace housing all the guards and the partners of those who wish to stay there. Many though stay at the local Mir Center in Parba with their children. The Ratmon live on the ground floor by the kitchen, Léa is in charge of the sixteen that serve the palace. Hundreds of people live with in this massive complex keeping it goin. The whole Palace looks over upon Parba, with its hundreds of thousands of Pimogies that live in it. Surrounding them both is the rest of the few million souls that have made their home on this planet. All these lives are in his hands.Robertus starts to think about how things will be a bit more empty with the suits leaving, all five hundred of them. He will only have thirty five guards to defend him and those who live with him in the palace. He smiles just as he did in the meeting when he gave the suits up. Thirty royal guards could take on a group one hundred times there size, with the addition of the five imperial guards that could very well increase their abilities to the point the could take on an army of fifty thousand. He has no problem in believing thatAaron and his cousins can protect his life and those of his harem.As he almost at the stairs, he passes some ratmon moving along on their way down to the kitchen having finished up their day's work. They are carrying some cleaning supplies with them. One has a mop, another a broom, one to Robertus' surprise has a vacuum. Ratmon tend to not like using them very much due to their sensitive ears. They stop at the sight of the Caesar dropping what they are holding falling flat on the ground. They start to do a strange singing, as if praising the sight of a god, Robertus is amused."Come on guys, you can get up and continue on, its late for you all, and I am sure its been a long day." Robertus can't help but chuckle, as they all quickly get up seemingly flustered at the mess they made as they help one put some cleaning products into a bucket one was holding.He continues on his way down the hall and then climbs the stairs up to the third floor making his way out the stairwell and towards the baths. He heads down the hall and into the palace baths. The entry way of the baths quickly leads into the changing room where he strips down. He stretches a bit before he continues on into the showers. He puts the heat up high, he has been too tense, and he wants to free up his body before he enters into the baths. He rolls he shoulder as he starts to scrub his arms and chest. He continues on until he has cleaned himself up to take off the surface of grime that has built up naturally through the day. Robertus turns the water cold and lets it run through his body shocking him and jolting him with the sudden change. He feels heightened and more sensitive as he turns the water off and gets out. He gets out and tosses a towl over his shoulder as he confidently moves on in to the main baths. The air is thick with steam making it hard to see the room, let alone if anyone else is there. Its a quiet night with almost no sounds other than that of the water. Robertus knows he is not alone as he hears someone kicking at the water of the pool slowly. He moves down the hallway through the steam he starts to see the silhouette of a woman come into form she is sitting on the edge of the water holding one leg as the other dangles in the water swaying on the surface occasionally dipping underneath. The woman's long platinum hair is damp, her body glistens in the warm light. A soft pink towel is drapped across her shoulders covering her chest. Robertus approaches Juniper, sitting down next to her cross legged."I hope I didn't pull you from anything too fun." Juniper says playfulness lurking in her voice.Robertus sighs as he stretches out his legs dipping them into the warm pool, "I spent most the day dealing with the joys of governing," he says putting his hand around her shoulder bring her in for a hug. She looks at him a smile spreading across her lips."What is it?" Robertus asks.Juniper turns away giggling, "It's nothing you just look so serious, 'Oh Juniper you wouldn't understand its all governing stuff,' so just all boring things I take it. That or you just sat around brooding."Robertus is annoyed as Juniper exaggerates her movements as she pretends to act out Robertus' actions. "Come on, you know its not at fun dinners and all that."Juniper playfully punches Robertus accidentally knocking him into the bath. She can barely hold back her laughter as she catches his towel before it can fall into the water. "Don't act like you know it all its very unflattering, I could run this city just as well as you. If not better." She smirks with that last statement.Robertus playfully splashes Juniper's legs, "Oh come on don't act like I have no trust in your abilities, don't dismiss my vision of you I promise its nothing but flattering." Robert swims up and starts to rub Juniper's legs."How about you let me handle smoothing over things with Tyrell," Juniper says through her giggles."You heard about that," Robertus says as he pushes himself back again. "I still don't get how he doesn't have faith in it. They didn't need our soldiers swarming the Cherwinski district that would just increase tension and cause trouble. I am sure Kata will see my reasoning, the suits will serve better, being a more secret force. I think it benefits everyone if we have them actually doing something."Juniper watches as Robertus floats in the pool dunking his head under the water getting his hair wet. "I don't know I can try and make sure that everyone is put back in line we don't want any issues with the Militum, they do tend to cause trouble. I think though he just feels a bit blindsided, seems like you were doing something drastic with only consulting your own thoughts," she kicks water with the last word."Come on Tyrell is not going to be causing a rebellion, I don't think we need to worry about that." Robertus sinks down into the water so that only his head is above."What about Romulus?" Juniper pushes.Robertus is surprised by this question, "What do you mean? Do you really think he is failing his duties? I think this stuff with the Nest is beyond him, and all he has is a bunch of gladiators loyal to him. Above all though he is my cousin, we are brothers; him, Claudius and Titus, they are all my brothers."Robertus pauses for a moment to think about what he said. His relationship with all his male cousins isn't all that great, he starts to wonder if he even has met all of his cousins in general. He is surprised that Juniper would be pushing him on this. She doesn't really know her father's other child. She may have been her mother's only child, but her father has four other children. Robertus can't blame her; Barabbas not a kind father to her, if it wasn't for her great uncle she wouldn't even have the honor of the Septema name.Juniper moves her other leg into the water, "Don't you think we need to be careful, Romulus has always been a source of trouble, you remember how he was when we were kids. He still has a lot of ties to House Josel, they might be a hollow house, but you remember how Nathy was and probably still is. Most of his gladiators are from their school. I can't say I would be surprised if, I ever found out he was trying to get in on an operation with the Nest or in the Red Market."Robertus stands up, "Come on Juniper he has changed, we can't hold this over him forever. He has Pimogie interests at heart. Same with the Josels, Nathaniel from what I heard has really grown into leading New Capri. Maurice might not have been a good mentor to help them along, but seems like the Mir Center did some good.""Oh sure, New Capri is going to get back to its old glory." Juniper jokes sarcastically.Robertus is hurt by this sharp attack, "They are a very old house, a long time friend to my family, going back to Earth Prime, not every ruler can be perfect, its like life itself, we just have to try to make everything the best we can. Maurice wasn't a great leader, he partied away his father's success and I can hope that Nathaniel is making things right again."Juniper takes the towel off her shoulders placing it down next to where she put Robertus' towel, "But of course House Clericus has never had any hiccups with their bloodline.""Why are you so fiery tonight?" Robertus sinks back below the waters.Juniper slips into the water, her blue eyes sparkling, "I thought you liked it when I challenged you, I can play sweeter if you need it."Robertus smiles, "You are already far too sweet I am shocked you aren't melted everytime I find you in the baths."Juniper gently walks through the water have it gracefully part around her as she cuts forward through it. She comes face to face with Robertus she looks into his eyes, they are like looking into a sea, with all different colors, hazel, green, and blue. The gold hazel moves out like a shore to the blue green almost gray waters. She puts her hand up on his face and gently holds him. "Is this how Deus Clar Mar felt when she look at Deus Tata. You do share his eyes right? That is what they say, 'Robertus Caesar the reincarnated Deus Maxim,'" she giggles turning away. "I know Deus Tata is his father but they probably shared the same eyes right."Robertus turns her face back to his, she quiets again as he looks into her deep blue eyes. He closes his but their ocean remains in his mind as he kisses her. While it only lasts for a heart beat it feels like a blissful eternity. "I have heard that Tata had brown eyes."Robertus' laugh fills the baths as Juniper starts to aggressively splash him, peeved by his ruining of their moment. "How dare you say that I am sure they were a beautiful blue just like yours!"Robertus dives under the water dodging her attacks quickly moving just above the surface to the other side of Juniper giving her a tight hug. "Maybe you are right maybe you are not, I could be mixing Tata up with his own father." He dunks her under the water."AHHHHHHH! ROBI WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Juniper squeals with excitement as she quickly surfaces and dunks Robertus."What? I thought you wanted to play!" Robertus laughs.Juniper spring out from the water tackling Robertus down. They twirl around bouncing around the baths moving around quickly splashing each other. Its a dance as they chase each other around. Juniper dips up under the water shooting to the back wall and swimming into the tunnel waters. The waters become noticeably cooler as she enters into the darker cave waters, Robertus comes up behind her spinning her around laughing."Are we going to swim out to the balcony?" Robertus is excited at the prospect.In the darkness Robertus can only hear her giggle and go back under as he feels water get pushed back at him, that is his answer. He sinks back underneath the water swimming out towards the faintly glowing exit that leads into slightly warmer waters of the the balcony. The water is still not as warm as it is with in the baths. Juniper is waiting up by the balcony. She is looking out on the lights of Parba. The Pimogie city is alive with lights. Robertus buts his arms around Juniper resting his chin on her head. They stay there floating watching the city. The air begins to cool as the night deepens, and the warmth from the waters of the subterranean hot spring lays beneth part of the palace that are pumped up to the baths.Robertus feels as Juniper's heartbeat slows along with her breathing. She has fallen asleep. Robertus picks her up and carefully walks towards some steps with in the pool. He grabs a folded towel that was left on one of the chairs of the balcony. He gently wraps her up in the soft towel, cradling her like she is his child. He continues on into a door leading into the tunnel falling the faint glow towards the door that leads back into the palace baths. The humidity and steam seems to do little to awaken the slumbering Juniper. Robertus just continues on moving past the showers. He pauses as he hears voices coming from the changing rooms. He pushes through the entrence separating the showers and the changing room, Seeing Tassa helping Avillion and Cara to undress while Meara waits impatiently. They turn hushed as they turn to see the bare Caesar holding Juniper. They all look at Juniper seeing she is asleep, Avillion sign to the girls that they all need to stay quiet, with a seeming targeting at Meara, She chucks a towel at Avillion and then crosses her arms. Avillion makes a fist and is about to say something but not wishing to disturb Juniper holds her tongue. Tassa gets back to helping Cara to take off her shoes, she forgetfully tickles Cara get her to giggle which is met by a stern stare from Avillion. Robertus can't help but smile while holding in a laugh, but a slight squirm from Juniper gets him moving again. He nods goodnight to the girls and continues on his way out of the baths.He continues down the hallway pasting a yawning Aaron who simply nods at him. Robertus guess he is going down to the kitchen to get a snack or maybe going to go down to the baths to have a swim and to relax.He makes his way slowly up the stairs to the top floor and then down the hall to Juniper's room. He leaves the lights off and carefully places her on to her bed. He covers her up with a blanket. He kisses her forehead then backing away. He gives her one last look smiling at her before carefully closing the door. He then makes his own way to his own suite at the end of the hall way, where he collapses on to the bed and falls asleep.