Visiting Rulers: Queen Missiah has a chat in the Hot Springs
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Ozymandias has arrived.
Into the hot springs the tiny Queen steps, her clothing dripping water. You would think that Missiah was freezing, and she might be, but she says nothing about it. Her fingers trail along the walls and behind her is a trail of water droplets. Once she has found her pool of choice the soaked queen settles on the edge and dips her foot in. It is still shoed (which is also soaked). The smallest of the Kings and Queens does not, at all, seem bothered by the fact she is soaked.
Lorin has arrived.
Approaching into the hot springs is Ozymandias! Dressed in far more casual clothing than his standard priestly robes, likely because the red fabric is currently neatly folded in his hands, and approaches a place where he may finish stripping down. Upon exit, Ozymandias begins to approach the hot spring, though he seems surprised to see the Choisi Queen present there. "Your Majesty."
At some point, Taya must have gone to change into a robe so that she can get into one of the pools, likely to warm up. Her hair is piled up on her head, out of her way so that it doesn't get damp, and she emerges to look for a place to get into the water. Espying the Queen, she heads in that direction with a smile, bowing politely. "Aunt Missiah, may I join you?" she inquires politely.
Dressed modestly, at least ritually for such a space, is Lorin. The Courtesan maintains both her distance and the illusion-- perhaps that being Lorin's specialty-- of only ifrits and air spirtes invisibly whisking away towels behind's back. She is a comfortable remove from the Royal Family, comfortable but poised, ever attentive to the subconscious cues of her guests.
And there is an art form to maintaining normalcy, perhaps even privacy; she greets Taya and Ozymandias with smiles, but she says nothing; a tray with fruit, drinks, and other delicacies is placed at the same time Lorin presents towels, and the delicate dance continues.
A dip of her head is given to Ozymandias and she pats the spot beside her for him to join, "Archbishop Ozymandias. I have been hearing grand stories of you." Anything more the Chosian Queen was going to say to him is cut off by the Divinus Princess. Taya gets a smile, "You are always welcome to join me, Taya. My door is always open to family." Wherever that door might be at the time since Choisi Kingdom is full of nomadic types. The little queen pushes to her feet and lifts a hand to tug the princess down to her level to peck a kiss to her cheek. Making people do what you want is an advantage as a Queen. Being as short as she is not often an advantage. Missiah, though, has a presence about her that makes her seem far larger than the little thing she is. Lorin gets a approving dip of the head from the Queen of Choisi Kingdom but never once accepts a towel. She also doesn't order Lorin to do anything, letting the Courtesan speak and do what she thinks is right.
Taya is quite used to her aunt pulling her down to a more convenient height, and she does bend to indulge the queen in cheek kisses, grinning broadly as she moves to settle into the pool next to the shorter woman.
Ozymandias smiles at Missiah. "I am sure you have, Your Majesty. I am simply honored that my name has been spoken in your court." With the arrival of Taya, he gives the Princess a gentle nod in greeting. Though lorin also seems to gain his attention as she greets him iwth a smile. "Paramour, we meet again. I trust you are well this day?"
"Every day is a wonderful day," Lorin assures Ozymandias with a smile and tones as warm as the water does not appear to be. "There are worse ways to pass one's time," she adds with a wink. "Have a towel, relax. If I can get you anything..." She gestures to Ozy and Taya, smiling again at the Queen before removing herself from the mise en scene to afford some privacy to those in attendance today.
"You are an Archbishop." points out the Queen, "When in Seat of the Gods you have as much authority as most nobles do." The Kings and Queens inherently influence people, whether they want to or not. "Have you decided if you wish to be adopted into a family Archbishop? You are a unique case for someone born common." Taya gets a glance from the Queen and her head tilts to her, "I have also heard stories of your adventures, Taya. One of my prayers to Larthin has also revealed your interest in adopting one of his children." It is no surprise the Queen would get a response from the Gods. Well, they are meddlesome Gods so it is not often a surprise when the Gods answer. "He was much more interested in telling me the plans he has for you." The Chosian Queen sounds amused and exasperated by this but not actually bothered. Lorin draws her attention again but she is slipping off to do the towel collecting and the likes.
"Oh? Does he have plans for me? I would be quite curious to know, I admit. Though he has indicated that he did have much interest in me and that he does have some plans for me," Taya replies easily to her aunt, nodding once. "As to the child, she is young and special. I had thought it might be good for her to spend a bit of time with other children around her age. She has been through much, and I hoped to give her a bit of comfort." She looks to Ozymandias. "I believe the Archbishop would like to make a case for adopting her instead, however. He seems to crave a family."
Ozymandias seems to bow his head appreciatively to the Queen. "While true, I suppose I have never held myself in the same regard. Though I have often been called strange for such a view." He chuckles. "I have discovered that my birth family, much to my joy, is not my true one. But, being in a family of like-minded individuals would not be turned down out of hand." He tilts his head at the Queen. "Are you among those who have interest in my adoption?" Though he turns his attention to Taya for a moment as she speaks about adopting Kamala, and turns to him for his own case. "I do crave a family, this is true. I have no children of my own, and I believe Kamala would be happy in my care, just as she would be in Taya's." He suggests then. "But, the decision lies with Kamala, ultimately. I intend on speaking with her later today."
"At the very least she would have those lovely birds to play with," Lorin suggests in tones as quiet as they are suggestive of the sort of mischief to be found in all silver linings. Her cheeks rise in spite of the suppressed smile. "I could teach them all sorts of songs to sing to her. Morning, afternoon, that strange period after noon but before evening... Just ask." She concludes her joke with a small bow before passing on her way to someplace.
"Potentially." affirms the Queen to Ozymandias. "Though, since we separated into kingdoms, and even before, I rarely feel the desire to go against them. If you'd prefer one of them to Choisi, that is fine. The patron God of Choisi Kingdom, if that affects your decision, Though, Elena's kingdom has Mataya as theirs. You are her Archbishop and her child along side being Ossian's child. I always have space for a son, though." Never mind that Ozymandias is not that much younger than her. Then back to Taya, after pausing to hear Ozymandias' response. A laugh is given by the little Queen and she observes to Taya, "What he has told me is likely not to be spoken outside closed doors. He is the most troublesome of the Gods." At the explanation about Kamala by both she humms, "Well, the most beneficial choice for her would be to become a Divinus family member. She would then have the protection of being royalty and a Child of Gods." Missiah pauses here, "Though, at the same time, it would paint a bigger target on her back because of two such titles." A finger lifts to tap her jaw a moment in thought, "Being the child of an Archbishop would also add to the target but it would likely afford her almost as much protection as being royalty. Though, if the Archbishop decides to join a royal family the Child would have a larger target than she would as the daughter of Taya. As Archbishop Ozymandias' child, were he royalty, she would have her father being an archbishop, a royal, and a rare case of being a Child of two Gods. That would give her the largest target but also a wider field of protection." The Choisian Queen isn't exactly helping to make decisions easier, "Though, as a royal, despite our differences, she would have all the kingdoms seeking to protect her. We have many issues but outside each other no one is welcome to lay a finger on our direct families. That would also go for any of the Children of Gods. Though, the Children of Gods do not have to accept anything we offer and would still be able to be certain that all the kingdoms would become their shield. At Lorin the brow of the queen lifts, "You don't think she would get something as valuable as a child of the Divinus family, Paramour?" inquires the queen, tone curious.
the patron god of Chois is Ossian*
"Oh nothing of the sort, Your Highness," Lorin says, turning to face the Queen with deference even as mischief still has her smiling. "I only meant to suggest that High Highness is a good man for worrying overmuch, but mercifully no one is alone. The joke was the part about the birds; I don't know how one composes sermon and raises children in the same house."
Ozymandias nods ever so slightly. "I will consider your request. I was born in Choisi lands, after all. It is only right to consider my mother nation seriously." Ozymandias tells the Queen with a kind smile, though as for the situation with Kamala. "And she would be under the protection of two gods, instead of one. But a protection from a god at all is something to notice. The sword is two-prongued, that's true, and she would be the safest under my care, yet also the most in danger. Unless I accept adoption into a royal family for maximum protection.
Ozymandias's fingers start to spark with electricity. "I will protect Kamala personally with my own life, as I'm certain Taya would. But you are correct, your Majesty. It is a conundrum of sorts, one that I will leave it's final answer in Kamala's hands."
"My children find amusement in many things, including visiting the temples, interacting with animals, and learning from many different tutors about the world," Taya notes mildly to Lorin, smiling slightly. "And Kamala will always have the protection of her father. Larthin may have his own agenda, but he does feel for the child, and I am certain that he has great things in mind for her."
A light tsks is given by the Queen to Ozymandias, "It might be cruel to say, Archbishop, but many would consider you more valuable than the child because you /do/ have two parents for Gods. So, it could turn out badly for the child if you were to give your life to save her. I am considered royalty and I'm well aware that if I were to lay down my life for one of family, it could cause more difficulties for them in the end. There has been times were I would have given by life for one of my children and their children, my siblings and their children, my spouse, and so on, but was also aware that they could be accused of plotting my demise to take over my position as Queen. As much as you want to risk everything for someone you love with all your being, you also need to consider if the consequence of your actions will cause them harm or benefit in the future. It is noble and grand to be certain you will give your life for someone you love, I could never fault that idea or intention. I only fault doing it without considering the future of the one you would give it all for."
To Taya, "Tell me, Princess Taya Divinus, if you had to decide between protecting my life and letting me fall which you would do? What potential consequences and benefits do you see for each option? This is something you will have to face often, especially as someone considered royalty." Missiah must be being serious since she used a far more formal title than she normally does for other royals. There is also no doubting that she put the questions to Taya because Taya is a heir. It can't be surprising that the Kings and Queens are always testing the Heirs of their families. Her seriousness does fade slightly as she says in a humored tone, "Larthin always has some sort of agenda that involves his own pleasures. However, yes, his family he does care for and sometimes us mortals, pending his interest. If he did not, he would not have been angered about what was taken from his children after we were resurrected by Mataya. He is a petty and selfish God but he does care."
Then to Lorin, "And you, Paramour, would would you do faced with a situation where you need to decide in a situation that involves something valuable to you and something grander like protecting a princess or Child of Gods?" The queen seems to be more or less interested in how the Courtesan thinks over testing her.
Ozymandias has partially disconnected.
"It depends entirely on the trade I am being asked to make. Me for you? I choose you. It would break my mother's heart to lose her daughter or her sister, but she has another daughter and it also would not be unreasonable for her to consider her granddaughter Princess Hana as her heir," Taya replies to Missiah with consideration and a serious look. "But always, always, how can the cost outweigh the benefits? To lose you, my Queen, would be a very weighty cost. To lose you would be destabilizing to your people, even temporarily, even if your heirs are capable. The whole of Atharia must gain if the cost is your life." She shakes her head slightly. "And yet if Divinus lost me, it would be a painful blow. Perhaps less painful, but still quite difficult."
Missiah smiles at Taya's response, "THat would, often, be the correct decision with some outlier instances where your life would be more valuable. Now, if you and the others destined to become King or Queen after we all pass on, how would you decide which king or queen should be sacrificed? There is no way all 4 could be saved. We'll assume Santua is very stable but, despite how he is, Kalem is keeping the kingdom from getting fully lost in the darkness. Luminat is also very stable and JAden is keeping his people from going on a crusade against those of Santua because they went down the darker path to break the Curse put upon us." Missiah pauses a moment, "You know your kingdom has problems, some unrests here and there but over all Elena is handling them wonderfully. All my siblings are wonderful at what they do. Finally, Choisi Kingdom, my people, are nomadic and are inclined to completely stop interacting with the other kingdoms so they can travel across the seas and islands. You know all the Heirs are competent and will lead well but none are quite ready, including yourself. How would you decide where the least problems would result from the loss of a King or Queen?"
"We would have to discuss it. It would be a matter of diplomacy, I think, with my cousins. But I also think that it'd have to be a collaboration. I think I'd have to be prepared to support the cousin who inherited, if it came to that," Taya admits quietly, shaking her head slightly. "It's all very subjective. It's all about what the real costs and tradeoffs."
Ozymandias ponders the questions asked by the Queen. They were good questions. Do they sacrifice one for the many? If the kingdoms become in jeapardy, how do they decide which king or queen to be sacrificed. "I don't like these scenarios, where one must fall - to decide who lives and who dies. But I understand their relevancy. It is...a tremendously painful decision to make." Though the Queen's words do make him think and ponder, would it be worth it for him to give up his life for Kamala, just to have her continue to suffer?
Is that right?
He takes a long, deep breath then. "You have given me much to think about."
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A smile is given by the Queen to Taya, letting Ozymandias and Lorin return to some sort of duties that came up for them. "I can see why Larthin has taken interest in you and why you are Elena's direct heir, Taya." The littlest queen lifts a hand to trail along the water and it slowly starts to take the form of a rose. It maybe made of water but the magic that Missiah wields makes it stay as it is and for Taya to be able to hold it after Missiah hands it over. "It'll stay like that for a long time but slowly evaporate. just as all flowers wilt, that one does too." Missiah is the master of water, after all. At least when she uses her magic. Into the water she fully submerges herself, clothing and all, before stepping out of it. "Now, my lovely niece, I'm going to go hunt down Valeria and chat with her. Perhaps Nathan next. All my children are all busy right now. So I have decided to have chats with the children of my siblings here in Tranquil City." Besides, Missiah has lingered for longer than is typical for her.