[Queen's Paradise: Prologue - Dragon Flight Part Two]

[11:30] <!CYOA-sama> [Queen's Paradise: Prologue - Dragon Flight Part Two: The Diamond Dragon]
[11:31] <!CYOA-sama> "Mornin' Rinny~" Mesina says as Asterinian stirs awake.
[11:32] <!CYOA-sama> "Where am I?.... Rinny?"
[11:32] <!CYOA-sama> Lucia stands from her throne and approches the sleepy eye'd dragonkin.
[11:33] <!CYOA-sama> "You're in Aldeas' throne room, he carried you here after your duel." She says as she looks down with a warm smile.
[11:33] <!CYOA-sama> "I.... I see." Asterinian blushes and rubs her arm.
[11:34] <!CYOA-sama> "And Rinny is a nickname since dragon names are long and hard to say." Mesina states as if it were a matter of equal importance.
[11:35] <!CYOA-sama> "..... Where is the king?" The dragoness asks as she ignores Mesina entirely.
[11:35] <!CYOA-sama> "Wow, okay.... meanie." Mesina says aloud before hiding behind Lucia.
[11:36] <!CYOA-sama> "He's asleep in his chambers, resting for the arrival of the Dragon Gods."
[11:36] <!CYOA-sama> Lucia orders the servants to prepare tea for their guests.
[11:40] <!CYOA-sama> "My apologies, madam...." Asterinian says with a bow.
[11:41] <!CYOA-sama> "Eh? You did nothing to offend me." Lucia says a bit surprised as the dragoness drags herself to her feet.
[11:41] <!CYOA-sama> "N-no... the red-haired madam behind you went to the trouble of giving me a nickname and I ignored her kindness in my haste."
[11:42] <!CYOA-sama> "Please forgive me." Asterinian says as she takes Mesina's hand in hers and plants a kiss on it.
[11:42] <!CYOA-sama> The freckled red-head's face turns red as steam nearly shoots from her ears.
[11:42] <!CYOA-sama> "Dragon knight indeed. Such chivalry." Lucia says with a giggle.
[11:43] <!CYOA-sama> "You're too kind milady." Asterinian says as she takes a seat at the table set up by the servants.
[11:46] <!CYOA-sama> The trio enjoy their tea while waiting for Aldeas to awaken from his nap.
[11:46] <!CYOA-sama> Now that her fight has concluded Asterinian behaves like a lady in every aspect.
[11:46] <!CYOA-sama> From her manners to her polite speech.
[11:48] <!CYOA-sama> Even her innocent giggle is like that of a refined lady. Her aura of ferocity and violence seems to have melted away with the end of the battle.
[11:49] <!CYOA-sama> Lucia smiles as she's reminded of a similar quality to Aldeas.
[11:49] <!CYOA-sama> Mesina spends much of the conversation avoiding eye contact and blushing.
[11:50] <!CYOA-sama> "Milady.... did I offend you with my forward apology?" Asterinian asks concerned about Mesina's facial redness.
[11:50] <!CYOA-sama> "Hii! N-no!" Mesina says as Asterinian gently touches her hand.
[11:51] <!CYOA-sama> The freckled girl hops from her seat.
[11:51] <!CYOA-sama> "I should go wake up Ald-.... his majesty. Hehehe...." She says nervously as she bolts up the stairs.
[11:52] <!CYOA-sama> Lucia giggles.
[11:52] <!CYOA-sama> "Maybe she has a thing for the gentlemanly types." The young queen says to herself.
[11:53] <!CYOA-sama> Asterinian's look of total cluelessness serves only to complete her air of chivalry.
[11:53] <!CYOA-sama> Density and all.
[11:53] <!CYOA-sama> Moments later, Aldeas walks slowly down the stairs with several feathers clinging to his messy hair.
[11:54] <!CYOA-sama> Despite his lethargic appearance his expression is the same as always a wide kingly grin.
[11:54] <!CYOA-sama> Lucia stifles a laugh as the image of Mesina assaulting the sleeping king with a pillow flashes into her mind.
[11:55] <!CYOA-sama> "Good evening ladies." Aldeas says as he takes his seat at the table.
[11:56] <!CYOA-sama> The tinge of pink in Asterinian's cheeks doesn't go unnoticed by Lucia.
[11:56] <!CYOA-sama> "I see you've made yourself quite at home." aldeas says across the table to the dragon girl.
[11:56] <!CYOA-sama> "Your wife and servants have been most hospitable your majesty." asterinian returns as she bows her head.
[11:57] <!CYOA-sama> She has this diplomacy thing down to a science, even with her obvious crush she doesn't allow herself to become flustered.
[11:58] <!CYOA-sama> "So, did you find out what you needed for your report to the Dragon Gods?" Aldeas asks with a grin.
[11:59] <!CYOA-sama> "Yes, I'll be ready to report to them in turn as they arrive." Asterinian replies, ignoring the slightly flirtatious undertones of Aldeas' question.
[11:59] <!CYOA-sama> Or perhaps she's just oblivious to them.
[11:59] <!CYOA-sama> The silver hairedknight takes another sip of her tea before standing and bowing to the royal couple.
[12:00] <!CYOA-sama> "Thank you for the hospitality, but I must prepare my formal report."
[12:00] <!CYOA-sama> "Of course." Lucia says, eager to get Asterinian out of her hair so she can scold Aldeas for being so forward.
[12:01] <!CYOA-sama> "Please show her to the quarters we've prepared." Lucia says to a servant girl who quickly offers her hand to the dragon knight.
[12:01] <!CYOA-sama> "I-I'm sorry?...." Asterinian replies puzzled.
[12:02] <!CYOA-sama> "You don't know? Part of the proposal for peace is that each of the representatives of the monster races will dwell within the palace for the duration of the peace talks." Lucia states matter of factly.
[12:03] <!CYOA-sama> In an instant Asterinian's facade of dignity is shattered as she turns cherry red.
[12:04] <!CYOA-sama> "I.... I'll be... l-living here then?..." She says as her cheeks nearly glow from and her eyes begin to spiral comedically.
[12:04] <!CYOA-sama> "Yes..... you'll be living here, with me." Aldeas says with a grin.
[12:05] <!CYOA-sama> The final "with me" pushes the pure dragon maiden over the edge as her eyes roll back in her head going completely white and she faints into the arms of the servant girl.
[12:05] <!CYOA-sama> Aldeas makes a shooing motion with his hand as if to say "it's fine" and the servant carries the armored dragoness up to her chambers.
[12:06] <!CYOA-sama> ".... It's not like you to tease someone so much." Lucia says with a pout as she glances over at her husband.
[12:07] <!CYOA-sama> "Ahahahaha! How could I resist?" Aldeas laughs, his laughter met with a rather obvious pout of jealousy from Lucia.
[12:07] <!CYOA-sama> "Astilabor will be arriving soon." Aldeas says suddenly as his laughter stops.
[12:08] <!CYOA-sama> "How do you kn-" "It's burning...." Aldeas interrupts as he places his hand over his chest.
[12:08] <!CYOA-sama> The draconic crest is still visible, despite no longer being exposed to dragon fire.
[12:09] <!CYOA-sama> Likely a side effect from being so close to such a tremendous amount of Dragon Force.
[12:09] <!CYOA-sama> An amount easily a hundred times what Asterinian is capable of....
[12:09] <!CYOA-sama> [Intermission]


[12:32] <!CYOA-sama> [Intermission Out]
[12:32] <!CYOA-sama> From the horizon it spreads.
[12:33] <!CYOA-sama> A dazzling multicolored light that fills the entire sky.
[12:33] <!CYOA-sama> An aurora born from the sunlight refracting from the wings of Astilabor as she flies lazily through the air.
[12:34] <!CYOA-sama> With none of the urgentcy of Asterinian she flies towards the capital leaving glittering rainbows behind her.
[12:38] <!CYOA-sama> Her incredibly short boyish white hair blows gently in the breeze.
[12:40] <!CYOA-sama> Her dazzling eyes twinkle and change colors to match her diamond earrings as light reflects within them.
[12:41] <!CYOA-sama> Her bare midriff is also imbeeded with a small diamond in her naval.
[12:42] <!CYOA-sama> Her clothing is a brilliant white and decidedly tomboyish, her long pants hugging her hips tightly but opening up near her ankles.
[12:43] <!CYOA-sama> She wears no shoes, instead allowing her diamond scales to serve as the only foot protection she needs.
[12:43] <!CYOA-sama> Likewise her tanktop is sleeveless and her scales refract light into a prismatic radiance.
[12:47] <!CYOA-sama> "Hmhmmmm.... I wonder if he's the wealthy kind of king.~" she sings idly to herself as she twirls through the air with a grace and control lesser creatures couldn't even fathom.
[12:49] <!CYOA-sama> As she lands perched on the outer walls of the city she fully extends her 20 foot wingspan and rainbow lights dance across the cityscape.
[12:49] <!CYOA-sama> Aldeas stares out the window as the citizen's of his kingdom look up dazled by the brilliant radiance of the queen of Gem Dragons.
[12:50] <!CYOA-sama> "She's every bit as beautiful as the rumors say." He says as he returns to his throne and await her arrival.
[12:52] <!CYOA-sama> Like a marvelled child Astilabor strolls idly through the streets enjoying the looks both of marvel and fear she gets form the people of the kingdom.
[12:53] <!CYOA-sama> "Oh?~" She sings as she stops before a jewelry shop and admires the craftmenship of the items within.
[12:53] <!CYOA-sama> "How much?" She asks the elderly man who runs the shop.
[12:54] <!CYOA-sama> "F-for what.... milady?" He asks, both terrified and ecstatic that such a wealthy woman is admiring his crafts.
[12:55] <!CYOA-sama> "Eh? The jewelry silly.~" She says with a mildly confused look.
[12:55] <!CYOA-sama> Her smile shines as bright as pearls and the shopkeeper squints his eyes to even look upon her.
[12:56] <!CYOA-sama> "W-which piece, milady?" He inquires further.
[12:56] <!CYOA-sama> "Oh! All of it of course!~" Astilabor giggles innocently.
[12:56] <!CYOA-sama> The merchant's heart sinks.
[12:56] <!CYOA-sama> Does she intend to rob him of all his wares?
[12:57] <!CYOA-sama> "I.... I don't think.... I-I'm afraid I cannot sell ALL my merchandise milady...."
[12:57] <!CYOA-sama> "Don't be silly, buying and selling is the foundation of economy silly!" She says as she places a hand on her hip and wags her finger.
[12:58] <!CYOA-sama> "I'd offer a night in bed with a goddes but, and I mean no offense, you look to old. So how about a trade?" Astilabor says with a playful giggle as she takes off her necklace.
[12:59] <!CYOA-sama> The amulet, crafted from one of her shed scales illuminates the shop, refracting the dim light shining in through the window into a glow as bright as a flame.
[13:00] <!CYOA-sama> Truly it's value is incalculable, the jeweler could likely spend the rest of his life living comfortably just on the money he could make by having public showings of such a piece.
[13:00] <!CYOA-sama> The old man looks upon the amulet with lust in his eyes.
[13:00] <!CYOA-sama> "I'm sorry my lady...." He says as he closes his eyes and swallows hard.
[13:00] <!CYOA-sama> "I could never cheat a customer in such a way."
[13:01] <!CYOA-sama> Astilabor seems a bit dumbfounded. but then smiles brightly.
[13:01] <!CYOA-sama> "Hehe~ Value is all about supply and demand right? I say it's a fair deal, so it's a fair deal."
[13:01] <!CYOA-sama> The dragon goddess places the amulet around the jewelers neck and pcks him gently on the cheek.
[13:03] <!CYOA-sama> "Please bag all of it for me.~" She says as the jeweler's wife weeps uncontrollably from behind the curtain leading to the craft room.
[13:03] <!CYOA-sama> The elderly man chokes back his tears as he hands all of his marchandise, carefully wrapped, to the dragoness.
[13:04] <!CYOA-sama> "Your kindness is boundless milady." He says as she takes the merchandise.
[13:04] <!CYOA-sama> "Oh? I just really like your jewelry, honestly if you had continued to refuse me I'd have just taken it. Ahahaha~"
[13:04] <!CYOA-sama> Astilabor turns to leave and the old man hugs his wife tightly.
[13:05] <!CYOA-sama> Her shopping spree completed the Diamond Dragon, known across all worlds for her greed and fickleness approaches the palace with a large bag of jewelry in each hand.
[13:05] <!CYOA-sama> [Intermission]


[14:23] <!CYOA-sama> [Intermission Out]
[14:23] <!CYOA-sama> Astilabor enters the throne room and is met by the warm smile of the king, covered in bandages.
[14:23] <!CYOA-sama> "Ahahahaha~ I see Asterinian's been here already."
[14:23] <!CYOA-sama> "Indeed, she's asleep upstairs." Aldeas replies with a laugh.
[14:25] <!CYOA-sama> "The fact yournot dead is impress.... oh my...." Astilabor bites her lower lip as she looks at the glowing mark on Aldeas' chest
[14:25] <!CYOA-sama> (DAT_CREST.jpg)
[14:26] <!CYOA-sama> "That certainly explains a lot...." She says as she takes a seat across from the king and queen.
[14:27] <!CYOA-sama> "Forgive my rudeness but I have a question." Aldeas says cutting right to the chase.
[14:27] <!CYOA-sama> "No fun... I was hoping to flirt a little before we got to the boring part." Astilabor says as she puffs her cheeks.
[14:28] <!CYOA-sama> "We have all the time in the world to flirt, I'm just curious what made you accept my invitation considering the gem dragons stance of neutrality even in the dragon wars."
[14:28] <!CYOA-sama> Astilabor shrugs as if it's not a question worth asking.
[14:29] <!CYOA-sama> "humans have a lot of treasure, the thumbs you know? you guys make shiny things and I figured peace talks might mean trade agreements too."
[14:29] <!CYOA-sama> Astilabor giggles.
[14:29] <!CYOA-sama> "What can I say, I'm more concerned with expanding my hoard than remaining neutral in this case."
[14:30] <!CYOA-sama> "Haha. That kind of honesty is worthy of praise." Aldeas says in response.
[14:30] <!CYOA-sama> "To be frank I'm glad it's such an easy to understand reason. I'll try to make sure your desires are well sated."
[14:31] <!CYOA-sama> "What would you know of my desires?" Astilabor asks as she narrows her eyes.
[14:31] <!CYOA-sama> (Emieyesdragonedition.jpg)
[14:32] <!CYOA-sama> Aldeas raises an eyebrow and grins.
[14:32] <!CYOA-sama> "That's a lovely ring." Astilabor says as she crosses her legs.
[14:32] <!CYOA-sama> Aldeas looks down at his diamond wedding band.
[14:32] <!CYOA-sama> "Thank you, milady."
[14:33] <!CYOA-sama> "What do you want for it?" The diamond dragon leans forward and asks.
[14:33] <!CYOA-sama> Aldeas laughs.
[14:33] <!CYOA-sama> "Is something funny?" Astilabor asks looking confused.
[14:33] <!CYOA-sama> "It's not for sale."
[14:33] <!CYOA-sama> Aldeas says it so flatly.
[14:33] <!CYOA-sama> The silence that follows is heavier than it should have been.
[14:34] <!CYOA-sama> "What do you mean? How much is it worth?" Astilabor asks suddenly, shattering the wall of tension in the air.
[14:34] <!CYOA-sama> "It's priceless." Aldeas says with a grin as Lucia's cheeks turn slightly red.
[14:35] <!CYOA-sama> "Impossible, everything has a value." Astilabor says suddenly looking quite cold.
[14:35] <!CYOA-sama> The aura of kindness and warth she had been exudeing now replaced with a heavy pressure more befitting the unimaginably powerful entity she is.
[14:35] <!CYOA-sama> "Is that so?" aldeas asks.
[14:36] <!CYOA-sama> She sharp "Yes."  that it's met with tells him that Astilabor considers this a very important matter.
[14:36] <!CYOA-sama> "Indeed. I guess it's rather naive to say it's priceless." Aldeas closes his eyes and considers how to handle this situation.
[14:36] <!CYOA-sama> Astilabor has been known to raze cities for a single copper piece.
[14:37] <!CYOA-sama> "Rather, the reason it's priceless is because it's value is greater than the combined value of all the riches in the world, at least to me." Aldeas says with a calm smile.
[14:38] <!CYOA-sama> Astilabor tilts her head and makes an innocent expression, like a child who was just explained why the sky is blue.
[14:38] <!CYOA-sama> "Is that so? What makes it so valuable.?"
[14:39] <!CYOA-sama> Aldeas glances at Lucia and laughs as she clenches her hands together tightly in her attempts to supress her urge to hug him.
[14:39] <!CYOA-sama> "Ah.... I see, so it's not the ring that has value but what it represents. Like a deed, or a contract." Astilabor nods sagely.
[14:40] <!CYOA-sama> Lucia frowns at having her marriage described in such a way but purses her lips and pouts rather than speaking up.
[14:41] <!CYOA-sama> "Then... what makes her so great? Would you trade that contract for another one with a superior woman? Like Me? Or one of the other Queens?" Astilabor asks.
[14:41] <!CYOA-sama> Her question wasn't meant to be malicious.
[14:41] <!CYOA-sama> It was an innocent hypothetical question, so she could wrap her mind around Aldeas' sense of value.
[14:41] <!CYOA-sama> The cold stare with which he delivers his response would ahve made a lesser creature cower in fear.
[14:42] <!CYOA-sama> "Allow me to reiterate. This ring and all that it represents is more valuable to me than all the riches in all the worlds, physical or otherwise."
[14:43] <!CYOA-sama> "I s-..." Atilabor attempts to respond but she's cut off.
[14:44] <!CYOA-sama> "Allow me to clarify milady. What I'm saying is that to me, Lucia has more value as my wife than all of you combined would."
[14:45] <!CYOA-sama> Astilabor's eyes widen as if Aldeas just put a blade to her neck.
[14:45] <!CYOA-sama> She stares blankly at him in utter shock of what he just said.
[14:45] <!CYOA-sama> And she's not the only one.
[14:45] <!CYOA-sama> Mesina stands on the edge of the room with her hands over her mouth, like a deer in the headlights.
[14:45] <!CYOA-sama> Even Lucia looks at him in utter shock.
[14:46] <!CYOA-sama> Aldeas laughs loudly.
[14:46] <!CYOA-sama> "Of course that's only as my wife. She has a long way to go as a queen." He says with a wide grin.
[14:46] <!CYOA-sama> Everyone's guard relaxes, but the statement remains hanging in the air.
[14:46] <!CYOA-sama> The sting in Mesina's chest.
[14:47] <!CYOA-sama> And the fluttering in Lucia's.
[14:47] <!CYOA-sama> It's not washed away by Aldeas' laugh, not this time.
[14:47] <!CYOA-sama> Astilabor stands.
[14:48] <!CYOA-sama> "I understand.... we'll have to see how true such a bold statment is in the long term."
[14:48] <!CYOA-sama> The diamond dragon looks up suddenly as she stands.
[14:48] <!CYOA-sama> Her cheeks crimson red and tears in the corner of her eyes.
[14:49] <!CYOA-sama> "W-we'll see what's so special about her over the course of these peace talks, but I won't be shot down so easily!" She shouts as she runs for the stairs like a child.
[14:49] <!CYOA-sama> "..... What?" Aldeas says with an awkward smile as he sits on his throne dumbfounded.
[14:49] <!CYOA-sama> As Astilabor reaches the stairs a thunderous roar washes over the city.
[14:50] <!CYOA-sama> In the distance the massive shadow of the Destroyers wings blocks out the sun.
[14:50] <!CYOA-sama> Tiamat....
[14:50] <!CYOA-sama> Astilabor quickly dries ehr eyes, unwilling to let her sister see her cry like a child.
[14:51] <!CYOA-sama> The diamond dragoness turns towards Aldeas as if to say something but he closes his eyes and looks away.
[14:51] <!CYOA-sama> She nods.
[14:51] <!CYOA-sama> It's a conversation for another day.
[14:51] <!CYOA-sama> At the moment, the single most critical encounter for these peace talks is at hand.
[14:53] <!CYOA-sama> [The Diamond Dragon - End]