Zeig

...This was ridiculous. And not a ridiculousness of the normal variety, no. This was...more than ridiculous. Were artificial kisses meant to entice sales rather than entice emotion really worth such a long wait? It apparently seemed so, as the line showed no signs of moving, either forward or backwards. The current contenders for apples were apparently content enough to wait a decade or two for said fruit, and Nocturne could only assume they were the best, thrice-cursed apples in the entire nation if they were all so willing to stand in line for such a long while. ...Didn't they have anything better to do? He certainly did, and with nothing more than a quiet snort, Nocturne Wisp turned around and headed straight back the way he came, back along the first road that led into the town proper. Generous pricing or no, he would settle for a small bag of apples at the local market instead, for there were simply far too many things to get done in his day to simply loiter about. The magical plants inside the Everfree were not going to clip themselves, after all. [[ Exit ]]

Even years of etiquette practice and protocol couldn't prepare one for everything. Which is why Ryuichi was sure his ancestors would not find fault with him as he stood stock still for the photograph to be taken, perfect in every aspect of a stoic, serious Shogun...except for the faintest twitch of surprise in his left eye. The Ryuma kept his gaze fastened forward even as his ears followed suit, a treacherous twitch towards the right to better hear the low murmured words from the Empress standing next to him. Which were a surprise in and of themselves, no matter what they were actually saying. The playful smirk he could virtually hear in her voice, too, was a surprise, and Ryuichi could only thank his ancestors for the indescribable patience he felt, keeping his face looking forward when he longed to do nothing more but turn his muzzle and see if he was right about that smirk. Because who could have guessed that the sovereign ruler of Long Guo, held esteemed and equaled to Dragon kind and venerated as an almost otherworldly being, was a bit of a mischievous minx? Ryuichi supposed he shouldn't be too surprised - after all, the stern and austere facade of the Shogun was always quick to wear thin, and goodness knows if it wasn't a mask he often wore even when he was feeling anything but. Such was the responsibility of a ruler, after all. But still...he supposed the level of respect and otherworldly awe the citizens of Long Guo saw their Empress had impressed upon him as well, to an extent. Hearing such an earthy tone of voice from an otherwise unearthly position sounded...strange. But in a bad way? No...not in a bad way, at all. "Is that so?" the dark-maned Ryuma murmured back after a moment's pause, eyeing the staff that had approached the both of them to spread out their robes into appropriately dramatic flairs. "It has been a while since my last official portrait...perhaps I shall seek her out for a new commission." Another pause as their dual staff finished fixing their robes and departed, making way for the photograph to be taken. "Although I have found," the Shogun added, "that a painter's skill makes no difference when the inspiration boasts perfection...clothed or no." A bright flash, and another. And two more besides. And then his time in the Court of the Dragon Throne was done. With one last bowed head for the Empress, Ryuichi departed from the steps, his hoof steps echoing around the chamber as he made his way towards the entrance doors. His retinue was quick to fall into place behind him, but it was only until the doors were closed, the hallways transformed into the familiar sights of his lodgings inside the Imperial Palace, that Ryuichi let out a pent up sigh. "Ancestors," the Ryuma groaned, tugging at the collar of his robe a bit, "but I'll be glad to be out of this. Don't suppose you can carry me for the rest of our time here?...no no, away," the Shogun ordered, annoyed, the wry grin of commiseration meant for Sandā transforming into a scowl aimed at the several servants that had moved closer to him, hooves outstretched. "Just - have some breakfast brought to my quarters, if you please." Ancestors...he was never serious when he joked about being carried. In ten thousand years he would still not be serious. And in ten thousand years he was sure he'd need to remind them again, bless them. [[ Exit ]]

...Huh. This was new, wasn't it? He wasn't the only one to notice either, if the quiet intakes of breath from some of his retinue were any indication. Ryuichi kept his features placid and calm, even as he watched the progress of the Empress down the steps with sharp eyes. When she showed no signs of stopping - and, what's more, started moving away from the center of the platforms - Ryuichi quickly followed suit, repositioning himself a bit off to the side as well, so that the two of them would be equidistant from the center, rather than the Empress standing off to the side. It was only natural, after all. A meeting of equals. Up close, the Empress of Long Guo was even more stunning than memory indicated...not to mention said memory all included a young filly rather than the grown mare standing in front of him now. Whatever the case, fact took priority over memory as Ryuichi carefully kept his eyes locked onto the Empress' face, ignoring the urge to take in the entirety of the mare, extravagant robe and all, and instead making due with the warmth emitting from her bright azure gaze, earnestness exuding from ever pore of her being. How long had it been, really? Ryuichi could remember finding the possibility of marriage to this mare a pained but expected prospect - not a slight against the Kirin herself, but simply a young colt's natural inclination towards lumbering golems rather than due courting procedures. And now here he stood, matured, wiser, a memory grown into reality standing in front of him, the same reality that could now never be. And it was for the best, Ryuichi supposed. The Emperor last had, after all, broken centuries of tradition to ensure his daughter ascended over first born son, and there had to have been reason. With many offices and authoritative positions in Neighpon elected by merit rather than inherited by blood, several of his citizens had approved the change, while others balked at such a blatant disregard for tradition. Senile old stallion, they said, gone mad in the last years of his life. The mark, said others, the mark. It is her destiny. ...In the end it mattered little. Empress Yù Yuè of the Féng Dynasty was seated on the Dragon Throne, for good or for ill, and was reciprocating the intent of Neighpon twofold, an equal standing on the fate of their two countries. Ryuichi closed his eyes briefly, that short moment of thinking and planning and considering before opening his mouth, and opened them again, bright golden gaze resting on the face of the Empress. "Then for Ten Thousand Years," the Shogun called out, now turning to face the assembled mass of ponies, side by side with the Empress, "let us rejoice in lasting peace between the Imperial Dynasty and the Shogunate. For a union of Might and Peace to reign in the East. Against all turmoil and strife, will the East stand strong in harmony!" There were no cheers as there would have been in front of an assembly of the strict regiment of court - instead there were well-rehearsed yet sincere shouts of both their titles carelessly thrown into the air, to mix and mingle and intertwine. Ryuichi stood still and silent, allowing the atmosphere of good-will and intention wash over the assembly - though, his eyes cut sideways to the Empress. Standing side by side atop the dais, formally arraigned in extravagant robes and armor, it almost gave sense to a declaration of marriage between the two leaders, a celebration of unity in the ultimate capacity...and to the memory of a small colt gagging and rolling his eyes as the hoof maidens gushed and prattled on over what a lovely union they would make. He might have been able to stifle it, but Ryuichi didn't bother hiding the small, wry grin that twisted his lips as he returned his gaze back out to the mass of ponies, mentally charting his course back to Sandā's side and out the doorway. This proclamation had taken place first thing in the morning, after all, and the last time he'd tasted authentic Long Guo cuisine had been too long indeed. High time to remedy that.