Astrid looked over at Cassian before remembering that it was considered rude. She looked in his direction and broke the silence to speak to him. "Are you alright King Cassian?" She whispered to him.
Cerulean saw another male who looked as fidgety as he felt. He walked closer to him and observed him
(They… they know each other already? Also, they're all supposed to be in line for the ceremony already)
(Yeah ik but cerulean is near the shadows and can’t see his face lol)
Astrid - she looked kinda nervous under Iris's gaze; she decided to spare her and looked away.
"I'm fine," he whispered back. "This part's always weird for me."
(Yeah ik but cerulean is near the shadows and can’t see his face lol)
(Wait but shouldn't he be in line with the others??)
(We’re in line? Oops lol)
"That's understandable. I believe this part is something that should be changed. It is unfair to ask you to remove your mask if it is part of your culture." Astrid huffed, she hated this part and couldn't wait for it to be over. Iris was making her uncomfortable, which was causing a few vines to grow up from the cement and wrap themselves around her legs.
"There's nothing wrong with it. We've been doing it for centuries, and tradition is tradition. I'm just too used to having it on. We don't take them off for anyone other than family or those that we truly trust. And religious events, of course," Cassian said. "I suppose that just shows how little I seem to trust those around me."
Impatiently waiting for the ceremony to be over - it was unreal how long they had to act like statues - Iris could feel the air around her getting colder and colder.
Cerulean sighed and fingered the mask that he clipped to his side. He was getting restless and started combining water droplet from the space around him
Astrid glanced at Iris before looking back over at Cassian, "You are correct in that tradition is tradition, but in some cases, tradition must change. Many of us only trust one another for this event but return to our unease once it has ended." The vines had now grown up past her waist and wrapped themselves around one of her wrists as she held it up and looked down at it. It sprouted a small flower in her hand and she smiled softly.
Cerulean nodded in agreement at Astrid’s word
"It's true," Iris dropped in. "Most of you I only know by name and kingdom…"
Cerulean decided to speak then “I also know you because that is what is expected of us.” He sighed
Cassian raised an eyebrow at the others. "This is supposed to be a sacred event. We haven't even started and you're already admitting your lack of trust for one another. Thank the spirits our people can't hear us."
“It is common knowledge that the kingdoms get a long but aren’t very friendly towards each other.” Cerulean said
Stilling at Cassians comment, Iris altered her mask once again. Mouth straight, eyes look forward, features relaxed. It came to her like second nature, and for the bajillionth time, she wondered which of her was real and which the costume.
"I would barely call this "getting along," as you put it. You each look a minute from leaving the ceremony and unofficially declaring war." Cassian glanced back out at his people. He noted that they each seemed to look as uncomfortable as him. Except for the children, of course, who weren't wearing masks in the first place.
“The Ellayians are peaceful people who possess crystal magic, we don’t like war but in times of need, we will not hesitate to defend our home.” Cerulean states calmly
Wondering if that was a threat, Iris spent a few seconds sizing him up, "Neither will we," she challenged in a nonchalant tone. "But, of course, this is a time of respect and worship, so I should hope we don't need to bring further discussion along this topic."
"Pathetic," Cassian said, almost amused. "We're all pathetic."
"Excuse you?" Iris practically hissed.
“I’m sorry for sounding so pathetic to you however I would rather make allies then enemies.” He stated half smiling in Iris’s direction
"You don't sound pathetic," Cassian said firmly. "But we've been in each others' presence for less than an hour and we're already exceedingly uncomfortable. None of us want to be here. It's pathetic that we are."