Cas nodded and gave the coins to Aki, managing to take the bag before the guards started dragging him away. "Thank you!" He called back into the shop right before the door snapped shut. He huffed indignantly and struggled against the guards' hold, but they wouldn't slacken their grip. "Let go of me! I'm eighteen years old and should be allowed to make purchases on my own!"
"It's for your own safety, Prince. You aren't to run off." Cas groaned, looking frustrated.
Aki waved faintly to the prince being dragged away. He took a trembling breath. At least he hadn't been arrested for "housing the run away prince". He carefully gathered the coins and placed them into the safe. He hummed to himself as he tried to calm his breathing.
(How should we meet again? Royal banquet? He's old enough for his parents to try and betroth him to someone)
(That's true, we can do that)
(Cool cool)
Cas was sitting in the throne he'd been assigned, looking very unhappy. He'd been forced to neaten up his hair with gel and wear a small crown.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the banquet!" The king announced in a fake cheery voice. "Today, we're looking for young princesses for Prince Casper to marry." Cas looked away at this, feeling even worse. "Enjoy yourselves!"
Aki was there with Zephyr, shyly staying beside his master, his eyes wide with amazement. "Wow…" He whispers as he looks around. He was wearing a long robe that almost looked like a dress, his ears flattened against his head. He gasps at the smell of food and grins at Zephyr. "May I go explore?" He asks shyly.
Cas stood up as soon as he was allowed and reluctantly conversed with the princesses at the party. They all seemed rather nice, but that didn't change the fact that he couldn't be attracted to any of them. He would never have a loving, happy marriage with any of them. Perhaps he'd have better luck at a banquet full of princes…
Zephyr nods and smiles. "Go ahead." he says gently. Aki eagerly went to go explore. He walked into the ballroom and giggled softly as he did so. It was so pretty, all the dresses and all the decorations. He hummed as he walked around, inspecting everything. He liked this. It was fun. He saw Cas and blushed a little before looking around before continuing to explore. He highly doubted that the prince would remember a common person like him. He takes one of the snacks from a tray and nibbles on it.
Cas separated himself from the crowd and bumped into Aki. "Oh, pardon me-" He turned around and recognized him. "Oh! You're from the shop, right?"
Aki starts when he's bumped into and starts when he looks at the prince. "Oh- Hello." He says softly as he smiled shyly, hiding behind his hair. "Yes." he whispers softly. His eyes widen before he bows politely. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. I'm Aki." He mutters, a little smile on his lips.
"You don't have to call me sir." Cas laughed and shook his hand. "You're probably older than I am anyhow. I'm Cas, although I'm guessing you know me as 'Prince Casper'."
He nods a little shyly, a small smile on his face. He enjoyed talking to Cas. Or well, Prince Casper. He looked around, "It's beautiful here." He whispers softly. He looks at Casper. "I don't think so. I think you might be older. Or… I'm not sure." He chuckles softly.
"I'm only eighteen, so I dunno." Cas glanced around. "These banquets are pretty dumb. Never did enjoy them much."
Aki perks, smiling. "I'm eighteen too!" He giggles sweetly. He hummed, "Well I like them. I've never been in a place like this." Aki had grown up in poverty until his master saved him last year. He looks around with curiosity.
"Yeah… it's fun now, but I still get lost like, all the time." Cas laughed, swiveling his head a bit. "It's even more confusing when the whole place is full of girls I'm supposed to try and marry…"
Aki nods a little, "I suppose that makes sense." He says softly, a sweet smile gracing his lips. "I never liked girls. Some were okay." He mutters softly. "But I don't want to marry one." He mumbles, shifting a little, he had always been confused as a girl. He smiles at Cas. "But I'm sure whoever you choose is very lucky." He plays with his hair.
"Heh, I don't exactly want to marry one either…" Cas rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "The whole thing feels kinda forced, and I'm not exactly, you know…" He blushed a bit, but didn't finish his sentence audibly. You know, into girls…
Aki understood perfectly. He smiled a bit. "It makes sense." He shuffled a little. "I wouldn't want to either." He smiled a little and bowed politely. His ears were a soft red, but they were hidden behind his white hair. He smiled gently at the other.
Cas smiled weakly. "I'm glad you understand, but I can't really tell my dad that I don't want to get married. At least not to any of these girls, as lovely as I'm sure they must be."
Aki nods and smiles softly. "Makes sense. My master made sure I wasn't sold off… so I'm grateful to him for that." He chuckles. "He's taught me a lot about magic." He scratches his head before looking at Cas. "I wish I could help though." he fumbles with his hair.
He shrugged. "There's probably not anything you can do. It's the customs, and my dad never listens to me anyways." He glanced around again. "I've always been intrigued by magic, but I can't actually really do any. Potions are about the extent of my abilities right now."
He grinned. "I could teach you! Potions, spells, cards, anything really." He grins happily, looking absolutely excited by the mention of magic. He perked up and seemed to shine with happiness. He giggles softly. "Potions can be very hard depending on what you want to make."
"Mhmm." Cas smiled softly as well, amused by the other's excitement. "I've made a flight potion and an invisibility potion successfully, but I haven't tried anything more complicated. I was trying to make another potion of flight, which is why I bought the ingredients off you."
Aki nods and smiles warmly. "I'm glad you chose to stop by." he smiles a little bit. "Flight spells are useful." He chuckles quietly before looking down. "I apologize. I'm probably bothering you." the rather feminine male says quietly. "I should let you go." he says quietly, not wanting to bother the other.
"No, no, that's okay!" Cas insisted, blushing a bit. "You're more interesting than anyone I've met here yet. They're all stuffy with ulterior motives…"