Upon entering the castle, I noticed what looked to be an elemental elf, sitting close to the King and Queen. Interesting, I hum to myself, approaching the Royals with Opal Lee by my side. "Your Majesties," I purr lowly not dropping my eyes as I curtsy lowly to show my respect to their status. "Who is this?" I ask, gesturing to the fey. "Arymyr, Orlah's favored ambassador across land and sea, this elemental fey is an ambassador from another realm, they contacted us to see about a trade offer." The King says, looking between Opal and I approvingly at how we are dressed.
My ears flick curiously, my eyes roaming over the fey as I catch their scent, noting the strange amount of metal that clings to it. "Interesting, and of course, Opal Lee being the best seamstress in all of Arizaela, of course she was first pick for some goods to offer in trade?" I question with a raised brow. "Of course, Ambassador, nothing but the best for potential trade partners. Of course, the requirement for this deal is that you be there, in their realm, to learn about their culture and needs so that we may get a better understanding of what type of goods they will be requiring. This fey, Aruka Marlo, is the ambassador for their realm, Atlas. I will require you to show them our beloved Orlah for a year before you leave. You will be in Atlas however long you please as they are more technologically advanced than us from what I've gathered. Determine if we should need this technology and see what they have to offer that would be beneficial to us. I entrust you will not let me down, Ambassador." The King states in a low growl, flashing his signature cheshire smile at me as I bow my head in acceptance of my new task. "Of course, your Majesty, Aruka, follow me." I stated with a small smile, trying to keep my teeth partially hidden so I am more approachable as my parents and eldest brother have drilled into my head since I was a kit. Riktor never cared much about looking approachable, and rather enjoyed when others feared his toothy smile.
Opal walks on Aruka's other side as we lead him around the castle for the festivities, teaching him the rules of societal norms. "Aruka, I do not know how you all do things where you are from, but here," I gesture around to the folks dancing, not one touching another unless they are mates, "one is not allowed to touch another unless they are mates or family. It is considered the highest of insults and disrespect to do so." I purr out, nodding my head towards the dancers. "How do they, dance, then? I can see them, but is it not easier to just hold onto one's partner as they twirl around the room?" Aruka asks in confusion, his face betraying slight disappointment upon hearing the rules of touch. "Aruka, think about it, we are all very territorial and very possessive creatures. If one were to see their mate dancing with another, touching, there would be a lot of bloodshed, and for what? Dancing is an intimate form of art, where two souls wind together in a beautiful and graceful dance, their bodies and hearts intertwining with one another, touching in ways one normally would in private, but in public, toning it down enough for the younger eyes of future generations. Would you not rip another's hands off for touching what is rightfully yours?" I chuckle ruefully, "I know I would." I state, a small growl escaping my lips. "Dancing is an intimate action, if you put distance between the two, no touching at all, the intimacy is removed. We still dance, as you can see, we just do not touch unless the one we are Dancing with is family or mate." I say, gesturing to the dancers on the floor, watching Aruka curiously.
He seems to consider what I said, his thumb and forefinger on his chin, deep in thought before turning to Arymyr, a ghost of a smile on his face, "Teach me?" he asks, gesturing towards the floor. I smile widely, momentarily forgetting the horror that is my smile as I nod my head once. "Of course, Opa, let us demonstrate." I say, noting his eyebrow raises at my smile before a grin of his own graces his thin lips. Opal and I twirl around with each other, not straying far from the elemental fey so he never loses sight of us as we dance, our bodies and hands maintaining a healthy half foot of distance between us, twisting, spinning and bending our bodies gracefully together, not once touching as we come to a stop in front of Aruka, both of us curtseying, my eyes never leaving his. "Now, you, dance with me. As Ambassadors of our respective realms, it is only fair to dance with one another." I purr to him, smiling brightly since he did not seem put off by it earlier. "Your smile, it is, interesting. I have seen the kings, but yours, it has more of an edge. It is very intimidating, I will not lie, but not wholly unattractive. Let us dance, Arymyr, Orlah's favored Ambassador." Aruka chuckles out, mimicking Opal Lee's movements in the beginning stages of our dance.
I escort Aruka to my father's home in the willow grove, walking hand in hand with Opal Lee, supporting some of her weight as she stumbles slightly. "You know Opa, you have got to quit drinking so much at these events, you are nearly twice my height." I growl out disapproving as she giggles, teetering to the side slightly as we walk along. Rahuhl seems to sense Opal's intoxication as we approach the willow grove, rushing out to scoop her up in his arms, rolling his eyes at her. "Another even for the King, another intoxicated Opa," he grumbles out, shaking his head, eyeing Aruka closely as we approach the massive willow trees, entering through its large entrance. "Bringing home a stray?" Rahuhl asks with a raised brow, carrying Opal to one of the massive couches in the den. "He is an ambassador from Atlas, the majesties want me to show him our ways as the ambassador of Orlah for one year before I go to Atlas for him to show me their ways as well. He is wanting to see if they will be worth a trade deal." I explain, plopping down beside Opal as I pull Nanih, who also seems to have taken the couch for a bed as well, to my chest, nuzzling her neck to take in her little kit scent, gesturing for Aruka to take a seat on the other couch.
"How was she? I hate having to be away from her for so long." I breathe out quietly as Rahuhl wraps a hide blanket around Opa. "She missed you, as always, Father coddled her most the night. She said she was going to wait in here til you came home." Rahuhl chuckles, stroking Nanih's right ear. Aruka looks between Rahuhl, Opal, myself and Nanih curiously, clearing his throat as he asks, "Is he your mate? Or is Opal…. who are you all to one another?" Aruka asks, his heart speeding slightly in his chest as he looks around at us nervously. Rahuhl chuckles lowly as he takes a seat next to Aruka.
"I am the eldest of the hybrid children, Arymyr is the youngest. Opal is adopted. Nanih is Arymyr's daughter, from her first mate." Rahuhl explains patiently to Aruka, flashing a look of mirth at me. "Let us get some rest, Rahuhl, could you show Aruka to a room please? I am going to take Nanih to bed." I purr out, the exhaustion of the night finally hitting me. "Her father is no longer present, she was a twin, that is all that will be revealed about them. Each species type has a certain number of potential mates. The sea has three, the land has five. I take after a bit more of our mother, so I only get three where Rahuhl gets five. Opal is from the North, lots of desert land up there. I will explain it all to you, but right now, I must get some sleep, or I will be very cranky tomorrow." I say with a small smile, standing with Nanih in my arms, walking to my room as I pull the door closed behind me with a flick of my tail.