Talia listens intently. Her own reason for being her was similar to Elias', as she wanted to see the Fire Magic Source, amongst the many other things hidden in the castle. She considered popping in to join them, but she had been eavesdropping a good 5 minutes, it would be awkward to attempt to join the conversation like a normal person. She decided to just follow them for now.
She took a step back. Her mother, bless her charcoal heart, had told her to guard the source with everything in her power before Asthma had taken her. "Um. No."
Her heart sped up, although she couldn't exactly say why. Sure, Queen Ember had warned her to protect her source as some of her last words, but she had no reason to feel so defensive. And yet, alarm bells clanged in her head and she felt the overwhelming instinct to take up a defensive stance and prepare to fight. But that made no sense; she knew Einar, knew he was trustworthy.
"I mean-" she tried to salvage the situation before she lost control. "Id like to know why you made the journey all the way from your kingdom just to see my power source. And why you lied about 'Dev' here."
Ciana frowned slightly. Why did the dark kingdom need to see sources? She absent-mindedly fingered the arm band that held her source, then called over the Ginger. "Need any help, your majesty?"
(Hey, quick question– can I make up how the Fire Source looks? I just got an image of an Obsidian marble with a glowing heat inside, really cool looking. Black Obsidian on the outside, with orange and red glowing in the center. there is a large boulder of obsidian somewhere special, and they can break chunks off to make pendants and such, polishing them to make marbles. is this idea acceptable?)
Ginger looked to the guard standing just out of earshot. She waved a hand, signaling that she was okay.
She turned back to Einar and 'Dev', looking for their answer.
Ciana nodded, moving a tiny bit closer
( @CaseyJ , its your turn )
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(Hey, quick question– can I make up how the Fire Source looks? I just got an image of an Obsidian marble with a glowing heat inside, really cool looking. Black Obsidian on the outside, with orange and red glowing in the center. there is a large boulder of obsidian somewhere special, and they can break chunks off to make pendants and such, polishing them to make marbles. is this idea acceptable?)
(sure)
(Sorry I had a test)
Elias sighed, running a hand through his hair, causing small sparks to fling out. "well, see, he's a stranger, and you know me, so I had no doubt you'd let me in, but I was worried about my friend here. He is.. a bit intimidating, no? I mean, with the whole" He waved over at Devon, "Dark emo thing going on" He chuckled. "I am doing research, comparing sources, yours just so happens to be the closest I can get to. I mean, the Ice Kingdom is next, but that place is cold as heck and I would much rather enjoy the heat of this kingdom before I freeze my ears off" He shrugged.
Devon crossed his arms, getting impatient he sighed. No one could know who he was, he had lived in a literal cave up until now, so while no one knew him, he didn't know anyone either.
Ciana was watching Devon uncertainly. "Princess, if you do show them your source, I wouldn't let them hold it .." She kept up the act of a guard, while still watching the dark kingdomer wearily. "It's a very important thing, although I'm sure you already know that."
The red flags that seemed to have no place here didn't dissipate, but Ginger decided to ignore them.
She nodded, exhaling to clear her mind more. "Okay." She glanced at the guard, nodded to let her know her concerns were valid and acknowledged, then reached down into her shirt front, pulling out a round gem in a chain cage, about the size of a half-dollar coin (roughly an inch and a half diameter). It was black and shiny, like obsidian, but of course it couldn't be. Deep inside its core, warmth radiated from a glow like molten magma. The chain that looped around her neck was black with soot near the Source.
She held the end of the chain out, but didn't remove it from around her neck.
Ciana nodded, coming a bit closer. She knew the dark kingdom was not to be trusted, even if she also wasn't supposed to meddle in the affairs of other kingdoms. Her own source, secured in an armband, reminder her to be careful.
Elias hummed, "well… I meant the big one, the one that little thing came off of. Because that is your source, not your kingdom's source" Elias pulled out his own charm, it was an electric yellow gem. "Like mine, but I can't really see the details of it, unless you want me practically looking down your shirt" He grinned.
Devon face palmed at Elias, shaking his head, this was not helping, he just needed to get a piece of the source, not that he would reveal why, as far as anyone knew, the source was useless to anyone not from that kingdom.
"Pfff," Ginger felt comforted by that silly grin. "Like you wouldn't enjoy the view."
She straightened. "But I cant take you to the Kingdom's Source. That is… Big No-No. How'd you feel if I waltzed in with an emo boy and asked to see your Kingdom's Source?"
Ciana managed not to react, although it was very hard for her not to laugh. That would be a strange sight, some random emo boy walking into the castle with one of the other heirs.
"Oh, Id gladly let you in if that random emo boy was this tall- " Elias pointed at Devon, "I mean, id probably go to my room instead but, you know" he shrugged, a huge grin on his face, "besides hes harmless, he doesnt even have magic"
Devon was attempting to ignore Elias' sexual comments, but shot him a gĺare when he mentioned Devon had no powers, which…as far as the electric prince knew, was true enough, but it still stung to be pointed out.
Ciana noticed this look, and stored the information away to tell her parents later. If a royal of the dark kingdom had no powers, did any of the dark kingdom had powers?
Ginger rolled her eyes. "Whatever. My point being, I can't take you to the Source. It's actually a crime, you know."
She lifted the chain from her head. "But," she kept a fist wrapped tightly in the loop of chain, not holding it out. "I will let you get a closer look at my Source, if you promise not to touch." Sh lifted an eyebrow, staring into his eyes with dead seriousness.
Elias huffed, "but why? So what if its a little rule breaking?" He rolled his eyes.
Devon, beings that this plan obviously failed, turned to leave, I dont have time for his games, he had his chance.
Ciana came a bit closer again, wishing she had more than just a knife on her. worse come to worse, she could protect the source and the princess for enough time for them to run… and probably get killed in the process. But she would try. the sources were important, and so were the heirs. the current heirs would all make fair and just rulers, as far as ciana could tell, and it would be difficult for everyone if even one of them got hurt. so she'd protect the sources, and both heirs, if it came to it, from the dark kingdomer.
Ginger shrugged. "Nope. Bye." She waved to the guard. "Please show Prince Elias and his boyfriend the way out, thank you." She turned, heading for the archway she had first appeared through.
(Im giving him a chance to do the classic "Wait!" so she can do the classic 'stops walking'🙃)
(i'll wait for half a second then)
(I think I missed something. how does Ciana know Devon is from the Dark kingdom?)
(She's been taught about all the kingdoms.. except the dark kingdom. And devon looks nothing like the people from any of the other kingdoms. she dosent know for sure, but she's 95% certain that he is.))
(ohhhhh ok)