(Yesss she would be precious
Maybe she even wore ribbons in her hair as a kid

Oooh that's good scientific name there xD)

(Haha yep. Guess Iml lhead out then! Thanks for hanging with me!)

Coldfire hummed. "So we can look around. It'll be easier if we fly." They reached the exit just then and stepped outside into the morning air. Coldfire frowned and shielded the light from his eyes. //It's warm...//

(Ahhh it's perfect x'D

Lol nice!

It is XD Giranja's fault for suggesting they get in trouble ahahah

Oh yeah, we still gotta discuss that! Whenever you want to!)

(Hahaha yeah!

Sure! How about now? XD)

The shifter rubbed his head as he scanned the city. "So... Guess we fly from here?" He took a few steps away from Giranja and shifted to his dragon form. He unraveled his wings and stretched them out slowly.

(Unless you went back to sleep. XD)

(Aww why is that? Nightmare?)

Coldfire gave a nod then directed his snout toward the sky and pushed off, beating his wings to climb upwards. He rose above the buildings then glided through the air, searching the city below for anything notable.

(As for the Chrysennia, you basically just need to give me:
Male or female
Young or adult
Butterfly or moth species (or a color if you don't know which species you want)

(I've forgotten most everything about the species, so i may recreate their bios x'D)

(Ahh yikes, that's really not fun. :/ Is there anything you're exposing yourself to that might be causing those nightmares?)

Coldfire grinned back at Giranja, then returned his gaze to the ground. "Maybe it'd be better to find a place away from all the activity. That way it'll be easier to snag a ride," he suggested with a smirk.

(Oooh nice! He'll be a pretty cutie XD Those are definitely beautiful butterflies.

Haha yep)

(Ahh I see. That's a struggle. I know some nightmares will come even without being exposed to a certain thing recently. I hope you'll be able to sleep more peacefully. :/ )

(Brb)

(Bork! Though gotta do homework so I may be slow

Oooh nice! Educational xD

Ahhh yeah, that makes sense. Nightmares suck. 'xP)

The Tundra dragon nodded and followed Giranja, staying close but leaving enough distance for their wings. Soon, the busy roads faded into streets where people walked about with only a few vehicles to be seen. "How about here?" Coldfire said after a while. "Are there more places like the last one here?"

(Pffft puns are great too. XD

Oh well)

The shifter looked at Giranja as she replied. "If you know where it is, then let's go there," he told her. "I have a plan on how to get our bike."

(Lol yep

I hope so too)

Coldfire only smirked in reply and followed Giranja, eyes now on the city walls in search of the entrance.

Coldfire slowed down and drifted over the area she indicated to. He spotted several vehicles of varying colors, shapes, and sizes, though he was searching particularly for something like the quad bike Giranja had. As he slowly circled overhead, Coldfire spotted the quad bikes. //Perfect!// Without a second thought, he dove downwards, reached out, and snatched the first bike within claw range. With a pump of his wings, he launched back out of the car yard and soared toward the wall, intending to go beyond city limits where there wouldn't be anybody to recognize the unmarked vehicle.

(It's alright! Good luck with that!)

"How else was I supposed to do it?" Coldfire said over his shoulder with a smirk. He flew over the terrain and turned toward the mountains. After a little ways, he dipped down toward an open grassy area and landed. He set the quad bike down carefully, then inspected it for any scratches or damage.

(Dawww)

Coldfire raised his head to check the area for anybody pursuing them, then shifted and stepped up to the quad bike. It was a deep crimson color, which probably wouldn't have been his first choice, though he hadn't thought to choose a favorite before actually grabbing one. Dismissing it, the shifter climbed into the seat and grasped the handles. "Okay. How do I make it go?"

Coldfire twisted back to watch Giranja poke around at the vehicle, then glanced down at the bike when it came on, still thrilled by the rich sound. he studied the handlebars at her command and reached out to rest his fingers on the metal part in front of the handle. As slowly as he could, he pressed it down. The quad bike jerked forward and he let go in surprise, losing his posture for a moment. He tried it again, this time tapping it a few times to get a feel for it, causing the bike to jump forward erratically. Then he pressed it down all the way, sending him and the bike speeding forward over the terrain. Coldfire raced forward a good distance, then remembered Giranja and released the lever, allowing the quad bike to come to a stop. He looked back at her with a "I couldn't help myself" smile.

Coldfire grinned meekly at Giranja as she caught up. "Too fast for you? Bet I can go even faster than that," he said daringly, not afraid of any consequences.

"If I can't push it to the max speed, then why does the option exist?" Coldfire muttered to himself. "I'll figure it out. I just need to get a hang of it," he stated as he rotated the the handles, watching as the front wheels turned side to side.

Coldfire rolled his eyes, but then he smiled, recognizing that she had just given him permission to whatever he pleased with the bike - so long as he didn't break it, of course.
Facing forward again, the prince pressed on the bar and shot forwards over the grass, relishing in the whirling wind around him. Experimentally, he turned the handles, which caused him to veer left sharply. The quad bike tipped slightly from the abruptness and nearly sent him out of his seat, though he straightened out just in time. //Okay... Turn slower,// he noted. He tried it again, this time turning a bit smoother so he didn't lose his bearings. Grinning in confidence, he straightened and zoomed forwards again, building speed to a thrilling point.

Coldfire's eyes went wide when the bike suddenly lurched into the air. Releasing the thrust and turning didn't work in the moment he was airborne, momentarily putting him in a panic, until he slammed back down on the ground and swerved to the side. He grimaced as he straightened out again, slowing temporarily. //That hurt... I didn't even see the bump.// After a moment of recovery, the shifter turned the bike and sped across the clearing again, occasionally turning to get a better hang of the steering.

(Sorry for vanishing 'xD Had to get both my phone and computer refreshed, and I had some long conversations. I'll be off and on till bed though, so don't be obliged to stick around)

(Oh and because I may have read your comment wrog, did you mean to imply she made the ground raise so that he rode off a ledge, or did she create the ledge?)

(Haha alright! Sorry for vanishing again without replying

Ahh okay, just checking! Thanks!)

Coldfire frowned suspiciously and glanced Giranja's direction when she burst out laughing. //Did she do something?...// He huffed and faced forward again, only to be surprised by hitting a rock that tossed the vehicle into the air again. He braced himself, expecting it to be the same as the ledge, but the quad bike tilted in the air and he fell off with a yelp, and went tumbling to the ground. The vehicle rolled once across the ground then came to a stop on its side, luckily never squashing Coldfire.

(Haha alrighty! I'll also be heading to bed soon)

Coldfire had ended up sprawled in the grass on his stomach, breathless from the shock of the fall. He looked mostly fine, though he felt pretty banged up. The shifter grumbled as he slowly pushed himself up into a sitting position and wiped dirt from his face. "Should've seen that coming..." He rubbed his head and glanced at Giranja with a dull and suspicious look. "Did you do that, too?"

(Yay! Lol)

Coldfire rolled his eyes, then pulled up a leg and rubbed it. "Yeah? Probably. Winded," he mumbled as he moved and stood slowly to make sure he wouldn't fall. The shifter looked at the quad bike mistrustingly, as if it was at fault for his fall. "Looks okay, at least."

Coldfire winced when Giranja pulled him close, feeling a sore area spring up in his side. "Ah-- Easy on it, it's not every day I go tumbling over rocky ground," he remarked , though his expression softened afterwards. "Thank you... I'm fine, just bruised," he reassured with a faint smile.

Coldfire smiled softly at Giranja and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Thank you," he murmured as he watched her. He turned his attention to the quad bike again. "Guess we should deal with that now." Gently pulling asay from her, the shifter approached it and looked it over, trying to determine the best way to flip it back on its wheels.

(Yeah, that's a good idea. x'D Either way it's still late haha

Thanks for the roleplay! I'll see you later Spec!)

Coldfire watched as Giranja moved the bike back onto its wheels. He wanted to give it another try, but his protesting body told him to take a break. "You can test it. I'll ride afterwards," he replied.

Coldfire watched as she took off, then walked to where she had been sitting and sat down to watch. He huffed when she stayed standing and drove around. //Show-off.//

Coldfire set a palm behind him and watched as Giranja returned and stopped. He smirked curiously at her when she approached and sat beside him. "Hey," he hummed back. "I take it it's working fine now."

(I called my phone a vehicle just now TuT)

Coldfire glanced at the bike and smiled faintly. "Good." He scooted closer and wrapped his arm around her waist, resting his hand on her lap and stroking her lightly with his thumb. "You sure seemed like one, standing up on it and all," he pointed out with a smirk.

Coldfire hudded as he took note of what she said. "Well, we can grab another bike and go cruising together," he suggested with a raised brow.

Coldfire rolled his eyes. "You said you could get us out of anything. Borrowing another one shouldn't hurt," he said with a smirk. "I wasn't paying attention that time. It won't happen again. I'mhe defended.

(Sorry, went to the store)

(Lol!)

"We won't get caught," Coldfire assured confidently as he moved his arm and stood up, turning to extend a hand to her. "I'll be perfectly fine on my own. I'll get used to the terrain once we're on it."

Coldfire snorted. "Then you grab it. They won't have an excuse if their own princess takes it." He walked a distance into the field and shifted, then waited for Giranja with a grin.

(Nuuuuuuu
Unfortunately I'm about to go to class so I can't stay ToT)

Coldfire smirked at Giranja and took off after her, kicking off into the air. He pumped his wings to catch up to her and flew beside her, eyes narrowed to block out some of the sunlight. He was seldom comfortable flying in the sun, but he didn't have much of a choice since moving to Chirnagon.

(Lol, nice!

Oh my goodness, that's a lot of purple eyes. X'D So there are three non-green eyes haha)

Coldfire slowed down and turned slowly as Giranja went to grab another bike, so that he was heading in the opposite direction by the time she made it back. He flew beside her, giving her a grin, before glancing back to make sure nobody saw or pursued them.

(That's actually kinda funny XD

Helloooo!)

Coldfire glanced back again suspiciously then picked up his wings, flapping a little bigger. When they reached the field again, he descended and shifted, dropping down in a crouch. He stood then headed over to the red quad bike and began to peer underneath it for whatever it was that Giranja used to start it up.

(Lol yep, poor guy haha

I'm good! Just finished a drawing on my tablet. I hardly ever use it for normal art so it was interesting xD)

(You just did it yesterday Giranja)

Coldfire glanced up at Giranja, then searched until he found a silver bar. He pushed it until it clicked, and then the engine roared to life. //Not bad,// he mused as he stood. The shifter came around the side and sat on it, placing hus hand son the handles. "Ready?" he asked with a grin.

(Lol yeah

Haha yeah! But I was stupid and only used four layers X'D
Ah and how are you?)

(Ahhh I see xD)

Coldfire rolled his eyes, then watched Giranja as she took off with a grin. He revved the engine and roared after her, relishing the rich sound and power of the vehicle. He climbed up the same path she did then raced after her, accelerating to come closer.

(Lol

Ahh lol, that's not fun. Good luck with that! I'm curious to see who you chose, though I'll have to wait till you're done. eve I still gotta start on mine haha)

(Also just fyi I might vanish soon)

Coldfire grinned determinedly as he chased her, leaning forward as he drove. He suddenly turned to the side and rushed up a slope, bringing him to a level above Giranja. He accelerated, watching her as he tried to catch up with her.

(Lol! Good luck I guess! X'D Hehe I think I've got something started)

Coldfire narrowed his eyes in concentration and did the same, wheeling up the slopes while heading in her direction. At a couple parts, he swerved or lost grip on the rocks, though he managed to recover. The shifter gritted his teeth as he glanced behind him at the rocky outcroppings below. //This is tougher than I thought it'd be... But I'll be fine.// Coldfire turned toward an outcropping up ahead and used it to leap higher up, going airborne for a moment. His wheels hit rock and he swerved, rocks churning under his wheels as he worked to gain friction again.

(Lol!)

Coldfire finally managed to get the quad bike's wheels running on solid ground again and he accelerated, moving away from the ledge and onto flatter and safer ground. //That was too close,// he mused as he glanced back again. He turned his gaze forward to spot Giranja, and he turned and began to scale the slope again, though he took a few less risks.

(Might disappear now for a while. I'll see you later if I don't return!)

Coldfire had about reached the same level when the wyvern suddenly emerged. He hit his brakes as well and turned, skidding a bit before coming to gasp. He stared at the newcomer warily. //We got caught after all...//

*coming to a stop

Coldfire felt a bit of relief when the wyvern resorted to a human form, which meant Coldfire would be able to take him on easier if a fight broke out. However, he still watched suspiciously, knowing the soldier wasn't there to encourage their fun. "And who are you?" he asked with narrowed eyes.

Coldfire stayed on his bike, watching Giranja momentarily. "And your point is?" he remarked hostilely, not in the mood to humour the soldier.

Coldfire grimaced and glanced at Giranja, noting the scrapes on her hands. He looked back at Aleguandre skeptically. "And you think we'll just comply?" he challenged with a raised brow. //Come on Giranja, don't let him get his way...//

Coldfire eyed the soldier, then looked at Giranja, mildly unnerved that she was licking off her own blood but pushed the thought away. He gave her a look as if asking if they should run - or rather, if she was ready.
He smirked as he looked back at Aleguandre. "Unfortunate for you, you've never played the game with me." He suddenly leaped off the quad bike and shifted, grabbing onto the boke then taking off and flying over the soldier's head, aiming his tail to knock him down just for good measure.

(I take it he made a bad decision x'D

Also hello!)

Coldfire only spent a moment waiting for Giranja, then tipped a wing and dove down the mountainside, giving his wings quick flaps to propel himself onwards. He glanced back with a grin to see the situation.

(Ohh okay. XD)

(Itmll take him some getting used to xD)

When the wyvern grabbed Giranja, Coldfire yowled defensively and whipped around to slam into Aleguandre, a foot grasping his to try and wrench Giranja free from him while holding the bike close to his chest. //If either of us gets caught, it's over for both of us!//

(Lol yeah)

Coldfire spun through the air a bit then caught himself and raced after Giranja, deciding to place himself between the two this time. He knew he was fast and agile, so he would fare better when evading the soldier. The Tundra dragon glanced back to check how close he was.

As Aleguandre closed in, Coldfire made a move to fly upward, but the wyvern blocked his path and forced him to fly closer to the ground, limiting his wing space. Looking around quickly, he tucked his wings and darted to the left, clipping past a ledge then diving down a steep wall of the rocks. He'd be trapped if he went to the bottom, but he would take the risk if he could get away. //Just don't go after Giranja,// he thought with narrowed eyes.

Coldfire unfurled his wings and leveled out when Giranja was caught again, growling faintly. //But he won't catch me if I don't let him,// he thought craftily. "You can't catvh both of us though - not when you're holding her," the Tundra dragon called.

Coldfire could tell this was taken as a mere game, but when Aleguandre came afer him again, he took off in rapid flight, his instinct to run kicking in. He had "played tag" back home countless times, though being caught always meant extra paperwork or going back to class or a long lecture, so he didn't take his chances. Eyes wide and dancing, the Tundra dragon dove toward a forested part of the mountain, tucked his wings in and hit the ground, and sprinted into the trees. He had more legs than the wyvern, so he figured he could outrun him there.

(I did. X'D Colors also did a dead so I was forced to go XD)

(Thanks, bu the way)

(Ah he's probably holding it with one arm, then running with the other three legs xD

What a derp, Colors

Also noooooo that's gonna bring back trauma memoriessss)

Coldfire figured Aleguandre's laugh was out of good sport of losing, but then he spotted the plants rushing toward him and his heardt skipped a beat. His mind flashed back to Trevor's torturous plant garden and he screeched in panic, dropping the quad bike and plunging forward with all his might. //No, no, not again!!//

Haha yah xD

Oh well, it'll be Coldfire's fault for going there of all places. TuT)

(Also hello! You're up late)

(He's still running, and probably faster now haha)

(Lol yeah, rip

Oh wow XD Understandable though)

Coldfire didn't notice the plants had stopped or heard Giranja, as he was so caught up in fleeing for his life. Despite the heat and his exhaustion, he tore through the forest, eyes bugging in search of a way out. He finally launched upwards and tried to fly above the trees, only to smash into a treebranch and send both him and it tumbling to the ground in a cloud of leaves and dirt.

(Yesss you need water, brave the cold)

(Lol ok)

Coldfire didn't move after he had fallen, staying on his side and panting shakily. He fought the memories of the pain and taunting and sickness, completed with the near-death experience. He finally managed to get his eyes to focus and he stared at Giranja miserably. "I-I don't want to go back," he croaked. All the fun of the chase had left.

(Wb!)

Coldfire moved his neck and shook his head. "I'm not doing that again. I can't go back," he responded weakly, thinking she was talking about the garden. He slowly pushed himself up enough to place his elbows on the ground. "Where'd he go?" He scanned the trees nervously, expecting more plants to come out.

Comdfire shut his eyes and shook his head thoroughly, trying to dislodge the memories and clear his mind. His beating heart was beginning to calm down. He opened his eyes again and watched Giranja. "I thought... he was back. That plant wolf," he murmured.

(Reply: Yeah, December came up so fast X'D
Haha alright! I removed it from the description but I must note, sizes probably will not be accurate, especially because a lot of dragons tend to be twenty meters tall and so on. X'D I'll take note though)

(And yeah, it's really something else to draw that many characters each time. X'D

Coldfire hesitated, then pulled himself up into a sitting position and took a few deep breaths. "I'm okay," he said, though he still watched their surroundings warily.

(Hey I gotta go now, so go get some sleep! See ya later!)

The shifter shook his head. "I'm fine. Just gotta get over it," he mumbled as he raised his palms to rub his eyes. //Those are nightmares I didn't want to recover... Yuck.// After a second, the dragon got onto his feet and slowly adjusted his wings. "I'm fine," he repeated.

(Lol ok!

Honestly X'D
Lol that's fine! I would've assumed he was about as tall as a person xD
Dedication pfft)

Coldfire closed his eyes momentarily when Giranja rubbed against him, tilting his head to touch her neck as she moved. "Yeah. I... don't see why you're letting him bring us back," he admitted as he eyed her unsuredly.

(Lol yep
I sometimes wonder how I do x'D)

(The answer is: I'm not xD)

Coldfire frowned guiltily at the mention of her scrapes. "Right... We should go back," he said quietly. The dragon began to pad in the direction he had come, or at least to find a clearing where they could fly out without getting tangled in more branches. He had lost the confidence in his step and wasn't breathing as smoothly anymore, burdened by the exertion and heat. As he thought about it, he was ready to go back inside again, too.

(Hello!! Haha thanks! I figured you wouldn't know xD)

Coldfire turned his head to study Giranja a moment, then shook his head. "I'll be fine. We'll just fly straight there," he replied, giving her a faint reassuring smile.

(Lol! It's not your holiday so it's ny like you need to know xD)

When Coldfire spotted the wyvern, he eyed him warily as if expecting him to attack, though he avoided direct eye contact from huniliation. //Great first impression,// he mused dryly, then nodded in response and spread his wings.

(Lol yeah XD)

Coldfire beat his wings and followed, taking a moment longer to get into the air. He leveled out beside Giranja, giving her a brief smile, then fixed his gaze ahead on the castle, eager to go inside.

Coldfire looked between the two. "I'll stick with you. I can wait while you talk," he told her as he followed beside her.

(Gtg for a bit!)

Coldfire followed as quickly as he could, then shifted once he landed, pausing a moment to catch his balance. He anxiously walked with her, sighing in relief when they stepped into the cooler halls of the palace.

(That took longer than I thought it would X'D At least I got a new phoooone)

(I don't have the arrow option to jump to the bottom of this page, but it allows for superpower scrolling speeds X'DDD)

Coldfire studied Giranja, guilty at the sight of her scraped hands, then shrugged. "Ask him. You can do that," he reminded her.

(Thank you! Hahaha yesss)

Coldfire nodded and gave a silent sigh of relief, glad they weren't in trouble. However, he also knew Qiguan didn't want to see him, so he was still in an uneasy position.

Coldfire hesitated with his mouth open. "Ahh... You did say he wouldn't want to speak with me..." He added in a mumble, "And you already know I tend to speak up even when I'm not invited..."

Coldfire grimaced, not anticipating being in the king's presence in the first place, but he didn't like not knowing what was going on. Unless they spoke in their native language, but he hoped for the best. The shifter nodded slowly. "I'll come in," he affirmed.

Coldfire slid in after Giranja and stayed near the door frame, staying silent and watching Qiguan unsurely. It had been a few days since he had gone drinking with the king, and quite frankly he wasn't sure how to treat him yet.

Coldfire held Qiguan's gaze a second, then looked away disinterestedly. //It's just another lecture... What's there to worry about?// He opened his mouth to leave a comment on the king's remark, but he caught himself and shut his mouth again.

(Hey, I'm gonna go now! It's hurting my eyes to stare at my screen ahaha
Thanks for roleplaying with me!)

□■♤♡◇♧☆▪¤《》¡¿•°●

Ehehehehe they worked

Coldfire blinked at Qiguan, rather surprised how quick it was. He looked back at Giranja with a faint look of relief. After giving the king a nod, he walked out with Giranja. "That was easier than I thought it'd be."

Coldfire huffed. "I never got the same treatment," he remarked sarcastically as he slid his hands in his pockets. With a faint smirk, he added, "Next time we'll find trouble where it's harder to catch us."

Coldfire wandered into thought as they continued walking, which nearly made him jump when Oria suddenly appeared before them. He started at her dumbfoundedly as she wrapped Giranja's hands. "Ah... What are you doing here?" he asked.

(Hello!~)

Coldfire frowned slightly. "Well, she seemed to be cleaning them off earlier," he mentioned as he thought back to the slightly unnerving moment when she had been licking them. He didn't protest Oria binding them, since he didn't want Giranja making her injuries worse.

(I'm doing alright! Been studying all day hahaha

How about you?)

Coldfire pursed his lips, then froze and stared at the two. "Wait - father?"

(More or less xD

Ahh gotcha! So you're done looking after Cooper?)

(Ah okay! Uh oh, hope that gets settled easily)

Coldfire frowned in thought, wondering why he didn't make any connection of the two, then huffed faintly. "That's what I heard," he mumbled as he crossed his arms. //And I take it you get some of your annoyingly persistent attributes from him,// he thought with an eyeroll, already having a bad opinion of Aleguandre.

(Ahh that's good. Hopefully!)

"And you're proud of that?" Coldfire huffed. He glanced at Giranja and remarked, "I'm not sure why you'd brag about being caught like that..."

Coldfire raised a brow, then shrugged. "Alright..." He looked back at Oria. "I didn't think your father would be first lieutenant," he admitted bluntly. He knew not to call her names, but he couldn't bring himself to act as if he liked her, since he still didn't.

//Those were my two assumptions,// Coldfire thought when Oria replied. He then frowned and looked away. "I think it changes things..." //It means if I pick on her, I also have her father to deal with, and he knows one of my weaknesses,// he mused dryly.

The shifter shrugged and moved his hands to his pockets. "Not everybody says what they think. People's opinions are always varying, whether or not you know about it," he commented simply.

Coldfire rolled his eyes and shrugged. "That's also an opinion," he muttered, though it was in a teasing way, for once. //So she can have her own self doubts as well... Interesting to know.//

(Gonna be slow while I finish up some studies!)

Coldfire saw Oria's smirk as a challenge. He crossed his arms again. "Also opinion. You wouldn't be able to convince me you're better than everyone unless everybody agreed," he remarked with a brow cocked.

Coldfire stepped back and leaned against the wall behind him, glancing at Giranja momentarily. "I also have a view outside of your inner ring, and I can see that your opinions aren't all accurate to the truth," he stated smartly. He didn't know why he was arguing over something so stupid, yet he somehow found it entertaining.

(Alrighty! No worries!)

Coldfire huffed, both annoyed and stumped that Oria had used his own logic against him. "Well... If you'd look at the facts, you'd know you're not as high and mighty as you think," he mumbled.

Coldfire pursed his lips, not immediately able to answer her, since he was making things up on the spot by then. "You wouldn't understand, since you're too narrow-minded to see beyond your own opinions," he eventually huffed, and looked away down the hall.

(It's okay! Don't stay if you're busy enough!)

Coldfire opened his mouth to respond, then glanced at Giranja with a dull lidded look, annoyed because she was probably right. He huffed and straightened up, raising his chin. "You'll see it sooner or later," he said conclusively.

Coldfire raised a brow and watched Oria go, then rolled his eyes. "Good grief. Always acting like she's right," he muttered disinterestedly.

Coldfire huffed. "Sure seems like it." He turned and began to walk in another direction, hands returning to his pockets. //I feel like I won that one. That's how it should be,// he smugly commented to himself.

Coldfire eyed Giranja a moment, then shrugged. "If she wants to prove herself, she needs to show it to me. Otherwise, we can leave it this way," he replied carelessly.

Coldfire stopped when she blocked him, lip twitching in minor annoyance. As she spoke about Oria then rebuked him, he pursed his lips tightly and looked away, scared to meet her intense gaze. "Alright, I'm sorry, but I'm not in the mood for this after I nearly got spooked out of my brains," he dismissed evasively as he stepped to the side and tried to push past her.

Coldfire kept his eyes averted, but he let out a strained sigh and rubbed his head, knowing he needed to do something about it. "Giranja, I... I'm sorry, alright? I'll change my attitude, and I won't talk like that about her again," he promised.

Coldfire didn't respond, though he looked at her reluctantly, uncomfortable with the sudden change in mood and topic. "Ah, I don't know... Dinner, I guess?"

(Gtg for a bit!)

(Ah okay lol! Good timing I guess)

Coldfire dropped his gaze anxiously at first as she linked with his arm, though he gradually loosened up as they walked. After a moment longer, he murmured, "Thanks for catching me there... I already forgot to control myself."

Coldfire grimaced slightly, then sighed. "I know, I know," he murmured tiredly. "Just be patient with me," //And hopefully I'll be patient with myself...//

Coldfire stayed silent a moment, then smiled quietly. "Thank you."
After a while more of following hallways, they reached the kitchen and stepped inside. Coldfire looked around for a chef, wondering if they'd have to cook for themselves again or if they should wait until dinner was served to everyone.

Coldfire spotted the chef and reluctantly walked nearer. "Ah... We were looking for dinner," he began as he glanced around.

Coldfire hesitated. "Uhhh... Anything with meat, I guess," he mumbled. "And nothing green." He had begun to feel awkward specifying that whenever he asked for food, especially since this kingdom still ate a lot of greens and other things he didn't normally have - or even had access to back home. The shifter scratched his head a little bit. "Please."

Coldfire followed Giranja and stood beside her, hands sliding into his pockets. They didn't stay there for long though when he quickly became distracted by the kitchen appliances, noticing thing he hadn't spotted before. The shifter picked up a whisk and spun it in his hand idly, then set it down and began to peek into drawers, cabinets and other things. When he found a cutlery set, he picked up a large knife and examined it, grinning dumbly.

Coldfire turned his grin to Giranja then snorted and set it back down, only to grab several handles and pull them out of the case together. A moment after observing it, he decided it was a bad idea and tried to put them back. However, with so many in his fists, they no longer went back in their slots correctly but pointed at random angles. He fumbled around a bit, trying to rotate his hands to fit them in and then began to force them at it, until one slipped and a couple knives clattered to the counter. "Oops, uh..."

(I've been realizing how much of an introvert Coldfire is xD He's loose and energetic around the people he likes, though he gets fidgety around strangers and is usually worn out after interactions. He also tends to hoard Giranja to himself and doesn't like it when others join lol)

(He was originally supposed to be a rambunxious and flirtatious extravert ahaha)

(Not at all - especially when it's somebody he doesn't like x'D
Ahhh yeah, there were a lot of changes since then. I thought Giranja was ancient compared to Coldfire, so he got uncomfortable around her, her reminding him of his mother. I was clearly wrong ahahaha)

Coldfire kept fumbling with the knives until the chef came over and ordered them out. He scowled at her, then set the knives on the countertop and followed Giranja, though he snagged the whisk on the way out.

(Lol it's understandable xD Actually I think my main confusion was because you said she was in her 30-thousands or something, and I had figured that people would make characters with big numbers in their ages intending for them to be wise and experienced/older. So I guessed she was an aged adult while Coldfire was a little hatchling in comparison x'D)

The shift had smoothly moved it to his pocket, though Giranja must have noticed. "What? It's not like they need it," he murmured back carelessly.

*shifter

(Ahahha yeah I get that. It's so easy to toss around ages and not really think much of it x'D
Things have been made a lot clearer now that we've had the time and thought to flash information out. We all start kinda crazy with our early characters. XD)

(Lol yes she does)

Coldfire hesitated, then gave a long sigh and set it on the nearest counter. He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked through the doorway, then stopped to lean back casually on the doorframe. "And they expect us to sit still the entire time?" he said carelessly. He was realizing more and more how hungry he was, and it didn't seem fair to have to wait outside.

(Lol yeah X'D I had neve rput much thought into the characters and creatures I made, but then they somehow turn into species and story characters...
It's kinda cool to see how Giranja inspired the Zilariun species though)

(Lol yeah
Definitely!)

Coldfire pursed his lips doubtfully, then perked up when the chef brought the food to them. He took his plate with a grateful look, immediately forgetting his impatience, and move over to the table to sit down.

Coldfire quickly ate his meal, all other woes forgotten. He finished quickly as usual despite how much was on his plate. "Not bad," he commented as he sat back, feeling satisfied.

Coldfire blinked, confused by her confusion. "Mm? The food. Everything I've eaten here has been good. Some meats you serve have especially bizarre flavors... I'm curious to know how you get them."

(If you want to terrify him, you can use this moment to tell him about Krege meat X'D)

(Pfffft

Yeah, I finally did X'D Colors died anyway ahaha)

Coldfire paused and looked Giranja over with a raised brow. He huffed and smirked. "Ha ha, real funny."

(XDD)

Coldfire frowned at Giranja, then stared at the chef when he replied to her question. His stomach twisted in his gut as he looked down at his cleared plate, mortified at what he had just eaten. "And I've been eating this the whole time?" he murmured emptily.

(Well hello there)

Coldfire didn't seem amused or comforted by Giranja's response. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?" he asked as he met her gaze, looking rather hollowed.

(I forgot to mention but their fight that they had the previous night reminded me of a song, Madness by Muse. Tbh a lot of relationship-issue songs could've fit them in that instance x'D)

(Ahh really? That's the only song I've heard from them. Never thought about looking at more of the songs xD)

Coldfire puffed in disbelief. "Wha--I figured you all would eat considerably normal things, not a huge, disgusting, dragon-killing bug. Why would you even think to -eat- them?" he questioned, staring at Giranja in appallation. He certainly wasn't considering grabbing seconds after hearing that.

(Lol! That's interesting you know them. Maybe I'll check out more later on)

The prince rolled his eyes. "Good riddance..." He placed an elbow on the table and his jaw in his hand, staring at his plate. His stomach felt upset now, though it was mostly his conscience reminding him of what he had just eaten. ///How am I supposed to eat in peace now? I can't just pretend I'm eating poultry or something else...//
"Was the meat I cooked the other day Krege meat, too?" he asked quietly.

(Haha yeah!

Also gotta get back to studying. You should try to get more sleep if you can!)

(Haha good luck!)

The shifter frowned. "Huh. Alright." He started at the wall, still shocked at the fact. //Maybe I'll just forget completely... If that'll happen.// After a moment, he sighed and sat back. "Well, if I get sick and die one day, I'll know why."

Coldfire scowled. "Whoever found that out," he muttered crossly. "Are you done?"

Coldfire gave a nod and stood as well, not thinking to do anything with his dish. He moved near the door and stretched slightly as he waited for her.

Coldfire stayed silent until Giranja spoke, and he studied her slowly. "Okay," he responded reluctantly. "Can you let me into the music chamber first? There's something I want to get," he told her.

(Geez, we fill up these rooms too fast)

"Yeah, I need some," Coldfire agreed as he followed her up the stairs. "There are times when I want in there but you aren't around or are too busy. I can't just ask anybody to go in," he explained idly.

Coldfire looked at Giranja and gave a gentle smile in return. He stayed beside her, looking around as they followed the path. He had been there enough in the past month to recognize how to get there from the main halls - well, mostly. He had spent a lot of the last month wandering around cluelessly as well.

Coldfire walked in after her and glanced around briefly. He then walked across the room go several instruments on stands, and he picked up a sleek dark brown guitar. The shifter came back over to Giranja and gave a nod. "Ready."

Coldfire followed along without saying much, mind distracted and distant with idle thoughts. As they neared Giranja's office, he finally blinked and took notice of their surroundings.

Coldfire closed his eyes when Giranja kissed him, then studied her reluctantly. "You sure I can't hang around your office? I won't bother you. I'd just play this," he said as he moved his hand that was holding the guitar.

(Lol yeah X'D

Also hi!)

"That's why I brought this," he responded, then eagerly followed her inside. He glanced around a bit before going over to the chaise from before setting the guitar down and sitting on the chaise. After taking a moment to get comfortable, Coldfire scooped up the guitar and began to quietly pluck a few strings, playing around to warm up.

(Very true x'D Honestly, he's always doing kiddish things. I don't think he every really grew up pfft)

(Pfffft)

As Coldfire got warmed up, he began to strung out a few gentle tunes, making up the music as he went. He stuck with something simple and easy to work to so he wouldn't be a distraction to Giranja - though he typically hoped she'd take notice and appreciate it. He kept his gaze on the strings as he played, though he didn't pay it much attention since it already came as second nature.

(Too bad that's the reason they've had so many fights so early in their marriage ahaha)

The prince gradually shifted from song to song, experimenting with old and new sounds from what he's played before and what he heard from the music player. He eventually began to play a song from the music player, knowing it a lot better after practicing it here and there. He snuck a glance or two toward Giranja to see if she would react.

After finishing the song, Coldfire went back to playing random tunes and songs, leaving them simple yet appealing. He plucked and strummed at the strings quietly, then eventually eased to a stop. He sat a moment, considering what else to play, then set it aside and stood up. Coldfire wandered over to Giranja's desk and came up beside her to observe what she was doing, not bothering to say anything or explain what he was doing.

"Hm? Mmm," Coldfire hummed distractedly in reply. He was busy staring at one of the files she had filled out, and he reached out to point at a symbol, or word or letter or whatever it was. "What does that say?" he asked.

The shifter tilted his head with a frown. He moved his finger to another one, this one seeming more bizarre than the other to him. "What about this one?"

Coldfire huffed and returned his hand to his side, though he still studied what he could make out. After a while, he said, "I need to learn how to read your language. If I'm going to live here, I need to know how."

"I don't want to have an instructor," Coldfire specified after a moment. "But I want to be able to read it. Is there a book that teaches your language?"

Coldfire paused, then pointed toward some of the bookshelves in her office. "Are there any over there? A dictionary works too," he mentioned.

(That moment when you're so used to pressing the "save" button on a document that you mindlessly press the "refresh" button halfway through writing a comment on the internet)

Coldfire held out his arms to accept the books, then brought them to the chaise and sat, setting them at its foot. He picked up the first book and opened it. As he looked at the first page, he discovered two problems: one, the written human language Giranja knew looked completely different from what Coldfire knew back home, and two, the pages were a blurry mess without his glasses. Swallowing back his distress, Coldfire flipped through the pages, trying to make out and understand anything, though it would be a long time before he would succeed in conquering his vision impairment. After a few minutes, he gave a strained sigh and rubbed his eyes vigorously with his fists. //Come on....//

(Lol yep xD)

(Ooh okay! I might have to go too, so no worries)

The shifter looked up at her tiredly. "Do you have any? It needs to be the right prescription," he stated.

Coldfire nodded slowly. "Can I try them on, at least?" he asked, not wanting to wait for a pair to be made. //At the same time, I really don;t want to be doing this,// he groaned inwardly, though he pushed the thought away.

Coldfire pushed the books aside and stood, quickly moving to catch up with her and exit the room. He followed her without complaint, eager to get a solution or otherwise abandon the task.

(Ah sure! That'd be cool!)

Coldfire gave a nod and followed, though as he walked he began to fear how they'd ask to use Qiguan's glasses without him finding out that Coldfire had a vision impairment. He entered the office and stepped to the side, meeting the king's gaze long enough to find where he was and give him a respectful nod. //Please handle this right, Giranja...//

(Oooh those are so cool!!)

Coldfire gave a slow nod. "We're uh... Doing an experiment. We'll need plus two," he explained carefully. "We just need to borrow them for a short moment."

(The comment section must not have reloaded right last night because I checked several times and your last two comments weren't there. xP)

Coldfire grimaced faintly when Qiguan commented on him, twinging inside with provocation. He glanced away as he murmured, "I have better things to do."

Coldfire forced a small smile and dipped his head respectfully, then followed Giranja out. //I am always uncomfortable when I'm around him,// he realized as he closed the door behind them. //I don't know how else to feel... But I don't know how to change it.//

Coldfire started at the ground in thought until Giranja spoke and took his hand. He looked up to study her quietly, then dropped his gaze and shrugged. "I don't know... Last time, all we did was get drunk and argue about dumb things. I just... I don't know how to act around him. I never had a father," he explained quietly.

(Fixed it lol)

Coldfire stopped as well and watched Giranja as she spoke, feeling her gentle words strengthening him. "Well... I'll try," he responded with a faint smile. He leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Thank you," he murmured.

The shifter smiled back, then huffed faintly. "Yeah. Let's hope your mother will be more generous," he teased as he began to walk with her again.

Coldfire peeked into the room then reluctantly entered and hung back, rather uncomfortable to enter somebody else's bedroom without permission. He watched quietly and somewhat curiously. While he was plenty uncomfortable around Qiguan, he still wasn't sure what to take of Jaqni, though something about her m

(wrong button, but I can't delete comments from this phone sooo)

made him a little more relaxed. Still, it was awkward being in her room.

(Yep. Now I know how Shadow feels. xD)

Coldfire straightened and blinked a few times, blushing faintly, then came nearer. "Sorry, I didn't know if I was welcome," he murmured as he stopped near the end of her bed. "I haven't been around you much, after all."

(Lol yeah, it is. You usually have to zoom out all the way so you can find the delete bubble haha)

Coldfire nodded quietly in reply. He couldn't help but study Jaqni, not having much else to do and finding her rather interesting. //I wonder what it's like to have a mother,// he mused before realizing he was staring and he quickly looked away to Giranja.

(Yeah X'DD)

Coldfire froze and reddened more, taken aback by and unsure of how to react. After a moment of deciding, he slowly stepped forward and gave Jaqni a light hug. It was a foreign feeling to hug anyone other than Giranja, and he avoided her gaze after stepping back, though there was a vaguely familiar feel stirring inside.

Coldfire huffed faintly and gave a slight smile at their teasing. He dipped his head toward Jaqni the turned and followed Giranja out, sighing once he was in the hall. "Didn't see that coming," he murmured.

"I didn't know what else to do," Coldfire defended rather helplessly. "I couldn't say no after she welcomed me in. That would've made things worse."

Coldfire shrugged and mumbled in reply, trailing off for a while. After a moment, he quietly commented, "She reminds me of my mother. I don't know why, maybe because she's queen, and a mother..." He considered saying more, then went back to silence.

He looked back at her, then stared down in thought. He hardly ever thought about his mother since she passed, almost finding it taboo lest he kill his mood, but now Jaqni's hug brought back a gentle nostalgia of what he enjoyed about his mother but had intentionally forgotten. The prince shrugged and smiled vaguely, looking at her softly. "No, I guess not."

Coldfire huffed and rolled his eyes, embarrassed about it now. He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked until they reached Giranja's office again.

Codlfire followed her in, then turned to her when she offered the case. He walked over to the chaise as he opened it and inspected the glasses. He sat down, then slowly slid the glasses on. The world immediately turned into a blur, and he took a moment to recollect himself before picking up the book again and opening it. His eyes quickly focused and the letters appeared clearly on the page. "Much better," he remarked as his gaze flickered over the words.

Coldfire nodded in reply, then paid attention to the words on the page. He didn't understand any of it, but he was determined to figure something out. What he could tell was that their human written language was composed of multiple letters rather than symbols. //So not every letter is a syllable or several syllables... That means this word might be..... I have no clue.// He slapped the book shut, trying not to grumble, and picked up another one. This one looked simple and maybe even helpful, except it was the Zilariun native tongue so it was nothing like what he had ever seen before. He leaned closer and narrowed his eyes at the words, trying to figure out what it could mean.

Coldfire didn't look from his concentrating. "I have two, thanks," he replied shortly, not really comprehending what she meant by the question. //Why can't everybody just follow the same language? It would be infinitely easier if it were that way. And I don't get why there have to be variations of each language when in written form. Everything needs to be the exact same...//

It took Coldfire about half a moment to register that Giranja had spoken to him. He pulled his eyes off the page and looked over at her. "What?"

(Pffft he's not gonna have a fun time finding that out x'D)

(Lol no problem! Sounds fun pfft)

Coldfire paused and frowned at Giranja, secretly wanting her help. "Well, you're busy working, aren't you?" he murmured.

(Lol x'D)

Coldfire worked his jaw a little bit. "If you can help, yeah," he replied. He already felt embarrassed to not be able to read anything, but it was more awkward to have to ask her for help. Still, he scooted over and moved some of the books aside so she would be able to sit.

(Worth it in the end xD)

Coldfire glanced at Giranja then at the book. He shrugged helplessly. "I don't know, I just need to learnt he language. Maybe start with what the letters mean?"

Coldfire adjusted the glasses and studied the items on the page. "Okay. So are these for the Zilariun language? Don't I have to learn to speak it first?"

(Sorry, got very distracted)

(Lol okay xD
I should probably go to bed soon as well)

Coldfire frowned, not too excited to learn either. "Well... I"'ve never learned a second language. I don't know how it'd go," he admitted. "Maybe I should just learn to read the human language, since I can already speak it," he mumbled.

(Yeah, I guess so xD Thanks for hanging around with me! I'll see you later!)

(I'm still here, apparently...)

Coldfire frowned and looked at Giranja past the rim of the glasses. "You can't read or write it? And what do you mean you struggle to speak it? You've always sounded fine," he remarked.

Coldfire sat back with a concerned look. "I find that hard to believe. Out all your years, why are you only learning the human language now?"

Coldfire dropped his gaze to the book again and went silent for a while. He finally spoke in a quiet tone. "Does that mean it's difficult to speak with me? Does it stress you out?"

The shifter listened quietly as she spoke. "Are you hoping I'll learn your language?" he queried after a moment.

Coldfire stared down and worked his jaw in thought. He didn't want to learn another language, but he was sickened by the idea of becoming unable to communicate with Giranja. After a while, he sighed. "I'll try," he murmured, looking up to meet her gaze. "It will take me a while, but I want to make it easier on you."

Coldfire closed his eyes as she kissed him, and he gave a sad smile as she spoke. "Yeah. I'll start another day, though - I burned myself out trying to read on my own," he confessed with a slight chuckle.

Coldfire smiled in response, then went still and watched Giranja a moment. He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead gently. "If it's hard to talk, then don't talk, " he murmured comfortingly.

Coldfire wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her in snugly. "If anything, it stresses you out more. I worry because I want you to be happier and more comfortable," he replied.

(Ahh good luck! X'D)

He listened as she responded, watching her features and stroking her side slowly. "If I can learn a second language, them you won't have to worry about it," he reassured.

(Lol!)

Coldfire smiled faintly. "Yeah." After a moment, he tilted his his head to rest on Giranja's and closed his eyes, breath slowing as he relaxed, enjoying her close presence and scent.

(Why are you up)

Coldfire stirred when Giranja spoke, having dozed off a little himself. "Mm... Yeah, you should." He sat up more but turned to lean in and softly kiss Giranja, then pulled back with a faint smile.

(Aww, no fun)

"Giranja smiled:

"I love you too," Coldfire murmured with a smile as he watched her go. He looked to the books then scooped them up and set them on the ground. He shuffled around to lay down and rest his head again the armrest, and he stared at the ceiling in quiet thought.

Not surprisingly, Coldfire had accidentally fallen asleep and was breathing slowly, face peaceful. When Giranja spoke, he moaned faintly as a subconscious response to her, though he didn't fully wake.

Coldfire finally inhaled and opened his eyes drowsily. He lifted his head and glanced around the room. "Did I fall asleep?" he asked rather cluelessly.

Coldfire sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Guess so." He reached out to take her hand, then hesitated and took her by the wrist instead. He stood up and brushed himself off lightly. "Do we do anything with the books?" he asked.

"You can put them back on the shelf," he said as he knelt down to pick up the stack of books.

(Oops I forgot she was picking them up already X'DD)

Uhhh let's say he watched her pick them up

Coldfire gave a nod and smiled, then walked with her out of the room and back through the halls. He walked a bit slowly because he was still sleepy, though he managed to not trip over himself, to his silent relief.

(Haha okay!

I do have an assignment to work on, so I might get slower)

Coldfire turned to Giranja when she spoke to him. He smiled faintly and dipped his head. "Alright. Goodnight," he murmured as he placed his hands on her hips and gave her a gentle kiss. He smiled at her again, then pulled away and stepped into the bedroom.

(No problem!

Sure!)

(Ok!)

Coldfire would have had a good sleep if it weren't for one nightmare that woke him in the night. It didn't surprise him that Aleguandre's attempts to catch him had resulted in a dream about Trevor's garden, but it still unnerved him. After staying up a while, Coldfire eventually fell back asleep and stayed that way until morning. He was curled up under the covers with a pillow covering his head, for whatever reasons. He was also snoring faintly.

(Haha that's fine! Good luck at the doctor's!)

Coldfire moaned and curled up tighter when Giranja lifted the pillow, eyes squeezing shut tightly. "Stop, it's cold," he moaned as he reached out to try and pull the pillow back over his head.

Coldfire paused when Giranja replied, suddenly baffled as he thought over what he just said. He pulled the pillow off enough so he could breathe, though his eyes were still squinted shut. "Does that mean I'm dying?" he asked drowsily.

"I don't feel good. Maybe the Krege meat's finally killing me," Coldfire complained as he shuffled his position.

The prince furrowed his brows. "I never get sick. I developed an immunity to sicknesses back home," he retorted. He reached a palm up to rub his face sleepily. "I didn't sleep much. Maybe that's it," he recalled. "Or the Krege meat."

(Welcome back!)

Coldfire grumbled in response as he rolled onto his stomach and planted his face in his pillow, arms wrapping around it. After a while of silence, he mumbled, "You have to work today?"

Coldfire abruptly propped himself on his elbows and looked at her. "So we can go on our honeymoon?" he asked eagerly.

He quickly rolled over and clambered into a sitting position. "Let's do that then," Coldfire enthused, ignoring the dull throb in his head.

"No, we're going on the honeymoon. Let's contact that Zilariun guy and have him take us there," he said as he swung his legs over the bed and stood. His head spun a little bit and leaned back against the bed a moment to collect himself.

The shifter sighed and rubbed his palms against his head below his horns. "I'm fine. Just didn't sleep well. You spend too much time worrying about me, anyway," he commented.

Coldfire sighed and pushed off the bed, then went to grab clothes from his wardrobe. "I'm fine," he told he told her as he pulled on the clothing. "This could be our only chance to go on a honeymoon. I'm not passing it up because of a bit less sleep."

Coldfire dressed comfortably as well with a black top as well and loose pants. "After we eat, we should use that stone thing to contact him," he said to Giranja.

Coldfire finished buttoning his coat then followed Giranja out. He rubbed his head as he walked with her down the halls. //I'll feel better after I eat,// he determined.

Coldfire didn't eat as much as he normally did, and he was quiet most of the time. He looked up at her when she spoke, then shrugged. "Said he would be here instantly, or something. Probably by a portal stone," he figured.

Coldfire glanced up at Giranja. He studied her for a moment, then sighed. "My head doesn't feel good. But what's gonna happen to our honeymoon if I call out sick?" he murmured, sounding genuinely concerned about it.

(Okay! I bribed myself into working diligently on my essay for half an hour, so I'll be inactive too xD)

"I know I'll be fine. But I... I wanted it to be the best as possible," he admitted as he rested his cheek in his hand. "I don't want any of it to be wasted."

(Thanks! Sorta back)

(Thankers)

Coldfire managed a smile in return. "I guess so. Alright," he murmured. "I'm not familiar with sicknesses here, but I usually recover within a couple days... If we have two weeks at most, I guess it wouldn't be that bad," he figured.

Coldfire blinked and frowned. "Three. I don't remember what I said." He huffed and chuckled faintly at himself, then moved his hand to rub his face. "I'm clueless..."

(I'm still studying though so that's an excuse to stay upppppp XD)

Coldfire waved his hand dismissively. "I'm fine. I'm just out of it, is all. Thank you." He gave her a grateful smile, then sat back some. "I'm all done here if you're ready to leave. Don't need ot keep you waiting."

(Okayyyyy)

Coldfire pushed his plate away and stood as well, breathing in deeply as he did. "Where are we going to uh... 'summon' him? Whatever his name was," he said as he looked to Giranja.

(Lol okay! I hope you can catch up on the sleep lost! You're welcome, and thank you! I am very curious, but knowing them, not all of it will be guaranteed good x'D)

Coldfire snorted and rolled his eyes. "You're right there... I hope his voice won't worsen my headache," he mumbled. "We should be able to make it quick and simple."

(Lol oh well, good luck next time? x'D
They're good at that...)

Coldfire nodded, then looked at Giranja. "Where's that stone he got you?"

Coldfire nodded then traveled with her back to their room. He opened the door for them then stepped inside. "Guess we should pack, too..."

(Why did it eat my commenttttttt

I figured since they're back at their room, they might as well pack now x'D I totally forgot about that hahah)

Coldfire began to pack as well, though at a considerably slower rate. He selected several clothing items and brought them over to the bed where he sat to fold and put in a case. //Three weeks worth of clothing seems too much... Maybe there'll be servants to wash it there,// he mused as he worked.

Coldfire finished packing his clothes and sighed as he shut the case. //That should be good, I think.// He paused to rub the sides of his head, then got up to grab materials from the bathroom to pack as well. After stuffing them in his case, he sat back and put his palms on the bed behind him. "You ready?"

(Hellooooooo

Just so you know, I probably won't be active today as I've been a little stressed over my assignment. Might pop when I need the break though haha)

(Pffft okay, good plan!)

Coldfire huffed in amusement. "Well, for starters, I forgot it was happening. So yeah, it is strange," he commented as he stretched his neck from side to side. The prince stood and picked up his luggage. "Let's go out in the hall.:

(That's good!)

Coldfire rubbed his neck in slight embarrassment, then followed her out and walked down a few halls. When they came into an open room like the lounge, Coldfire stopped and looked around. "This should be fine. It doesn't echo too much."

Coldfire set his case down as well, then nodded. "Yeah."

Coldfire waited for Charbel to appear before them, though there was a delay. Suddenly, a light flashed behind them, and the cheery Zilariun appeared behind them. He paused, then turned around to see the two royals. "Ah! There you are!"
Coldfire turned around at the flash of the light and narrowed his eyes on Charbel. //It actually worked, even without him ever seeing this place...//
Charbel smiled charmingly and bowed before them. "Delightful to see you again! I assume you are ready for your vacation?" he hummed.

Charbel smiled. "Very good then! I reckon you'd like to go to the mountain villa for your trip, no?"
"Yes, as soon as possible," Coldfire responded, evidently already irritated by the way that he rubbed his head and grimaced at Charbel's crisp voice.
"Ah! Well that's perfect! At this current moment, we have a villa made ready and available for two with luxury furniture, foreign cuisine, special service, and the weather and trees are perfect this time of year!" he broadcasted proudly, never losing his classic smile.

(Oops forgot something)

"Now, would you like to stay all three weeks, or do you have a specific length in mind?"

Charbel clapped his hands together. "Very well then! It's such a pleasure to have such a fine couple taking up my humble offers. For your greatest satisfaction, I will be leaving that stone with you so you may contact me whenever you have questions or needs. However, I do think you will quite enjoy everything available to you, as these are one of the finest solitary resorts I have to offer" he rambled, arms gesturing the whole time. "Now, have you packed all the clothing and special trinkets you would like to bring?"

(Why are you no sleeeeep?)

Coldfire glanced at Giranja and gave her a faint smile.
"Why, you are very welcome. It is my pleasure," Charbel responded with a bow. "Now let us talk no more and see it for ourselves, hmm?" The Zilariun held out his hands to each of them for them to take.
Coldfire looked at Giranja once, then reached out to take one of his hands.

(Awww lol)

A second after she took Charbel's hand, there was a flash of light and all three of them vanished. They reappeared on a dirt path lining a shallow valley, smooth mountainsides surrounding the shimmering lake behind them. Thin clouds veiled the sky, giving a gentle glow over the valley.
Charbel reached out and took the baggage from their hands, then started up the path. "This way to your villa," he hummed with a smile.
Coldfire reached out to take Giranja's hand, smiling faintly, then followed the Zilariun.

(Ooh wow)

(Oh wow, that's kinda cool but scary haha)

(Ahhh yeah that's true

Good luck!)

"Oh, beautiful is hardly the word to describe it!" Charbel responded, glancing back at her with a smile. "See, around this time of the year, the plants and animal life are at their fullest, populating the skies and woods with the loveliest birdsong..."
Coldfire turned Charbel out as he glanced around. "It is. It's so... green. But it's still cold enough to be comfortable," he murmured to Giranja.

*tuned

"Well... I think we both know I could be better," he glanced toward Charbel who was still talking, "but I think this outdoor weather helps. It's easier to breathe," Coldfire explained. He squeezed her hand back reassuringly and gave a small smile.
"Ah-ha! Here we are," Charbel announced. Sitting proudly on the mountainside up ahead was what looked like a hybrid between a cabin and a cottage, with dark logs lining the walls and a neat triangular roof. A deck surrounded it and protruded over the valley, propped up by logs. Charbel quickened his pace to reach the door and unlock it, then held it open to let them inside the foyer.

(I have also determined to make this house in Minecraft xD)

Coldfire smiled at Giranja, then stepped in with her. The interior was dark and rich in color, with dark wooden floors and walls, and a red welcome carpet at the door. Charbel shut the door behind them, then beckoned them in and led them toward the main room, a wide room with red velvet couches, handsome furniture, and lamps adorned in colorful crystals that gave the whole setting a rich look. To the side was a long bay window that displayed the valley scene and lake. "You two are truly lucky to have this house for your vacation. As one of the owner's favorites, this cottage provides you with not only this lounge but also a kitchen with every appliance you may need, a bedroom for two, a full bath and a half, a game room, and of course the deck with furniture and a splendid view of the land." Charbel walked over to the bay window and pointed to the left where a few similar-looking buildings huddled near the lake. "Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served there in the mead hall, as well as entertainment and other activities. The paths there are easy to follow, though there are also scenic trails you may enjoy," he advertised, plus much more which Coldfire learned to shut out as well. The prince wandered into the kitchen to the right and glanced around until he spotted a coffee maker. //Good, there's one here,// he thought in relief.

(Sheesh, Charbel talks too much)

Charbel turned to her and smiled and bowed. "It is my utmost pleasure. If you enjoy your stay, let me know," he said with a friendly wink. He straightened and cleared his throat. "Well, I suppose I shall leave the vacationing to you two. If you have any concerns, you have the stone. Until then, adieu!" And with that, he vanished in a ball of light.
Coldfire stepped out of the kitchen in time to see him go. "He's gone?" he checked.

Coldfire sighed in relief and stepped back into the room. "Can't imagine he can make any business if his talking scares everyone away," he muttered, before smiling jokingly and coming over to Giranja. He wrapped a loose arm around her waist and looked at the house. "Well, what do you think? Not any flashier than palaces," he teased.

Coldfire chuckled. "Yeah. We don't have to walk much to get around. Except for meals," he commented as he glanced behind them at the window. He looked back at her smiled. "Well, wanna explore the rest of the house?"

The shifter smiled and released his arm, taking her hand instead and wandering with her into the various rooms. He went into the kitchen first and gazed around at the wooden cabinets, marble counter tops, and cooking appliances, even noting a few appliances he had never seen before. "There's a coffee making thing," Coldfire mentioned eagerly as he beckoned toward the machine on the counter.

Coldfire snorted in amusement and elbowed her slightly, then pulled her back out and walked to a short hallway at the back where two doorways led to different rooms. He peeked into the left room briefly to see the bathroom, then crossed to the right room. The floor was carpeted and a queen sized bed rested in the middle, bed frame carved intricately and covers silky white. Coldfire walked inside and looked around at the furniture. "Not bad for a house this size."

Coldfire held still when Giranja wrapped her arms around him. He rested his hands on hers and inhaled slowly, enjoying the warmth of her embrace. "I'm glad we can do this," he murmured with a warm smile.

Coldfire huffed faintly. "Yeah, I do too." He kept her in the embrace, rocking side to side lightly and soaking up the moment. He finally stirred a bit. "Best not to stay like this, though. I'm gonna fall asleep standing up," he admitted with an embarrassed smile.

Coldfire shook his head as he turned to face her better. "We just got here. I don't want to waste this time with you. Let's at least go out on the porch - the cold air in my lungs will help," he suggested.

(Just so you know, I'll probably be disappearing now! If I don't return, then see you later! Thanks for roleplaying with me!)

Coldfire came up beside his wife and placed his hands on the rail and scanned the terrain. "Great view," he commented after a moment. "I wonder what realm this is."

Coldfire looked at her with a brow raised. "Seriously? I'm curious to find out. If they'd have a resort here, the area must be safe enough," he murmured.

Coldfire looked back out over the valley. "I think it'd be cool to explore it. I'm sure there's a lot to find. Once I'm better, typically," he murmured with a half shrug.

Coldfire moved his elbows onto the rail and rested his weight on them. "Of course not. This time I can actually fly. We don't have to worry about getting stuck in the forests."

Coldfire glanced at her, then chuckled. "Yeah. Don't even have to worry about royalty and responsibilities. Just you and me..." He moved behind her and leaned forward to embrace her warmly, resting his head against hers and inhaling her sweet scent.

The shifter smiled warmly, enjoying the way she played with his hair. He rubbed one hand up and down her side as he embraced her. "I love you too. I hope to learn even more about you during this stay," he murmured softly.

Coldfire huffed faintly with a smile. He moved a hand up to run his fingers through a lock of her silvery hair, bringing it close to his lips to breathe in the scent. The smell of pine and dew in the air seemed to compliment it, making his insides flutter with more satisfaction. He frowned curiously and asked, "Does your hair naturally smell like this? It never seems to change, but I don't see you do anything special with it."

Coldfire huffed in interest and amusement and twirled the lock of hair around his finger. "Huh. Is that something your whole family or race has? I've never gotten close enough to any of them to smell their hair," he said teasingly.

The prince snorted at the thought. "What's the worst natural scent you know of?" he asked with a mischievous grin, wondering how non-floral and non-sweet they could go.

Coldfire chuckled at her response. "Nothing. It's just funny. So like, when trying to figure out the culprit to some crime scene, all you have to do is give it a good whiff, and, 'Yeup, it's Marcus alright. I'd know that stench of charred tomato anywhere,'" Coldfire joked, mimicking a slurred accent as he spoke.

"I guess those are the lucky people, then." The shfiter raised a brow. "Seriously? Getting pregnant just... makes your hair stop smelling? How does that work?" he questioned, finding the thought almost ridiculous.

Coldfire's smile faded as he listened to Giranja's solemn explanation. "Wow... I wouldn't have guessed that. You would think your House would protect you while you're pregnant," he commented quietly. "I think you already know that I won't be letting anyone come near to harm you."

Coldfire smiled faintly, then let it fade. "That's a vow to you, as well..." He went quiet for a long moment, feeling her heart beat and listening to the breeze over the valley as his thoughts wandered. He eventually murmured, "How many kids do you want, anyway?"

Coldfire huffed faintly and squeezed her a little tighter. "That's alright. There's no rush. We can wait as long as we need," he reassured with a gentle smile. "We're probably a long ways from it, anyway." //Especially with the dumb laws concerning permissions...//

The prince chuckled. "Yeah, it's felt longer than that. I guess that means we'll have long and happy lives together," he said with a smirk. "And that means I get you all to myself for a long time."

Coldfire pressed his head against Giranja's cheek lightly when she moved her head back, closing his eyes momentarily. "That's a good point... So at least two, if not three." He chuckled at a thought that came up. "I used to hate the idea of having children... I'm still clueless why my desires changed., and when."

The prince huffed. "At least, not right away... Heh, who knows," he murmured. He swayed with her a little while, rubbing his thumb against her arm tenderly. Then he began to pull away. "I think I need to sit a moment. Standing is wearing me out," he admitted with an embarrassed chuckle. He took a a few steps over to one of the cushioned couches on the deck and sat on one side of it, leaving room for Giranja.

Coldfire moved an elbow on the top of the couch back and rested his head in his palm. He turned his gaze to watch Giranja, smiling wordlessly as he admired her.

Coldfire smiled at Giranja as she shuffled to rest her head in his lap. He moved his arm and placed his hand on her chest, thumb tracing her collarbone gently as he studied her delicate features. "You're so perfect," he murmured. "Everything about you takes my breath away. Even when we fight, you're always right, yet you still love me. You're perfect to me."

"That's all that matters, though," the prince replied as he ran his hand up her neck and to her cheek. "You're enough to keep me together, and to keep me happy. It's easy to like you," he said with a slight shrug and chuckle.

Coldfire grinned and snorted. "Quick to own it, huh?" he said teasingly. "I can see that. I never see you fighting with others, even though they see you as a runt."

Coldfire's grin turned into a concerned frown. He cupped Giranja's cheek and turned her face back to meet his gaze. "Stop saying that. They aren't always right. They don't know everything about you, so don't accept what they say," he stated firmly but caringly.

(Alrighty, no worries! I think I'll be busy your Friday and Saturday until later in the day, so it's a busy time for both of us. XD)

Coldfire grimaced. "I'm serious, Giranja. What they say about you is no reason to degrade yourself and become a pushover. You can fight back and prove you're better than that," he insisted, though not without a saddened tone as he studied her face. "It hurts me when you put yourself down like that."

(Lol ok xD)

Coldfire hesitated, then sighed as Giranja dismissed him. "I wish you wouldn't talk so negatively about things, though..." He rolled his eyes. "Is that a good thing or bad thing?"

"Just try," he encouraged almost pleadingly. The prince huffed and looked out at the landscape. "Uh huh. And it was probably about me," he murmured under his breath, mumbling enough that it would be hard to make out.

(Oh wait that last sentence didn't make sense

Uh)

(I forgot to do anything with it after pointing it out x'D Sure, one moment)

"Just try," he encouraged almost pleadingly. The prince then huffed and looked out at the landscape. "Right. Forgot you two talked during that. What else did you mention?" he asked, nervous to know if she had told him anything that could put him in trouble.

Coldfire instinctively yawned as well when Giranja did, though he covered his mouth with a hand. He moved his elbow back to the couch back and rested the side of his head in his palm. "Huh, alright... Didn't think he could get all gushy about things like that," he muttered, not meaning it in offense to Giranja but also not watching his words.

Coldfire sighed and looked away at the landscape disinterestedly. "Alright, alright... I just didn't know." After a pause he added, "My father never had a soft side. I won't believe it no matter what others say."

(Oh no X'D I think Coldfire would have a heart attack)

(But if we're short on things to do then I wouldn't say no)

He huffed slightly and lifted his head to rub it with his hand. "Yeah, back then. But what you saw wasn't my father. That wasn't him."

"Yeah... really." Coldfire looked away in the distance, unwilling to dwell on the topic longer. It made him feel sick to think about what had become of his family and country, which didn't help his condition. He sighed and shuffled his position a little bit. "I uh, should probably lay down soon."

Coldfire gave Giranja a fainst smile. "Thank you. I don't want to sleep though - you'll have nothing to do," he mentioned.

Coldfire stood up slowly and put his hand on his back in a brief stretch. "If you insist... Please wake me up if there's anything going on or you can't find anything to do," he urged as he studied her.

Coldfire blinked. "Ah, yes. I'd like that," he confirmed with a short nod. He turned to her and bent over to put a hand on her shoulder and kiss her on the cheek, nervous to kiss her lips in case he got her sick. "I love you," he murmured with a smile, then walked back inside. The shifter entered their room and laid on the bed, then waited for sleep to take over.

(Sure!)

(Also I think I need to go for the day. Thanks for the short roleplay! X'D)

Coldfire jolted out of sleep when Giranja shook his shoulder, and he made a move to sit up until he opened his eyes and spotted Giranja. He sank back down with a tired moan. "Oh... Hey," he mumbled as he rubbed his forehead. His head felt tense and numb again, the closest he could compare with coldness.

"It's fine," he responded through a yawn, then frowned. "Okay, I guess. Better than before, though I feel like I could still sleep a lot longer," he mumbled with a slight huff of amusement. "Is it dinner already?"

Coldfire mumbled an okay and pulled himself upright. He ran a hand through his hair to fix it up a bit, then sighed and looked at Giranja. "Alright, I'm ready."

The shifter slid off the bed and walked after Giranja, reaching her at the door and walking with her through the house. "Yeah... I'd rather fly there, for now," he mentioned. He didn't care to burn his limited energy walking there, especially now that it was growing dark.

Coldfire followed Giranja out and descended the porch stairs. He readied to shift, then paused and stepped up beside Giranja, leaning to kiss her beside her lips. "Hey... Thank you," he murmured with a grateful smile.

The shifter frowned. "Are you sure? What if it's something bad that even you'd get it?" he murmured in concern.

Coldfire tilted his head, studying her face reluctantly, then sighed and managed a faint smirk. "If you're sure..." He placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned in to kiss her again, this time on the lips. //Let's hope she's right...//

Coldfire grinned and rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Come on - I'm starving. Let's go eat," he said as he pulled away.

Coldfire shifted as well, gave Giranja a ready nod, then launched into the air, careful not to whack his wings against the house or surrounding pines. He sailed toward the group of buildings near the lakeside.

Coldfire's vision remained perfectly fine, if not better, in the dark, having lived in near darkness his entire life. He followed the curve of the mountain down to the buildings and landed on a path leading to the buildings. They were similarly designed to their cottage, though much grander in size.

Coldfire shifted back as well and waited for Giranja, then reached out and took her hand. Giving her a gentle smile, he walked with her down the path. The windows of the few buildings glowed with a warm yellow light, illuminating the street as they walked. Up ahead was a large, long building with paneled windows running along the sides and a porch running along the perimeter. "That must be the food hall," Coldfire guessed as they approached it.

(Yeah x'D One more commenttt)

Coldfire led them up the steps and to the door, which he opened for her. Inside was a wide room filled with circular tables and chairs with golden chandeliers hanging from above. A stone fireplace glowed at the far end. To Coldfire's relief, there weren't many people there, so it was generally quiet apart from soft conversation and the clinking of silverware. The Tundra prince found a table for them and sat down, still looking around at the hall.

(XD Alrighty, see ya later Spec!)

(My phone just closed my page for no reason and ate my comment 》:(

(Drats the face didn't work)

Coldfire huffed. "Looks like they actually put some effort into it."
A waiter quickly appeared and approached them, mostly humanoid apart from horns and a few feathers on her head. She set down two menus in front of them. "Welcome to the Parciade Taverns. You two must be new visitors. I trust you have enjoyed your experience this far?" she asked in a calm voice.

(Haha yeah)

Coldfire glanced at Giranja, then nodded in agreement.
The waiter smiled. "Very good. Now, why not we start you off with some drinks? We have beverages from all over, so we are likely to have what you want."
Coldfire hesitated, tempted to order wine as was his usual, but he figured it wouldn't fare too well with his sickness. "Ah, water, please," he murmured.

(Oh yeah we can skip all the ordering and stuff since yhat's easier X'D)

(Ok XDD

Also sorry for not being around at all to reply - it's been a crazy past few days. x'D)

After ordering their food, the waiters soon returned with their meals and set them on the table. Coldfire picked up a fork and eagerly dug into his food without restraint, starving from missing lunch and only eating half of breakfast. "This isn't bad," he commented through a mouthful.

(Oh geez that's really hot. Stay alive, okay? X'D)

Coldfire nodded, then blushed and put a fist over his mouth, pausing to swallow. "Sorry," he murmured, then took a few more bites. Once he had cleared his mouth, he spoke up again. "You'd think Charbel covered the cost of meals for us as well, right?"

(Would it be better if we took a little break? X'D)

Coldfire raised his brow and tilted his head in thought. "Unless we find a way around it... We could stop by home to get more money," he suggested, then his face dropped. "We didn't bring a portal stone, did we?"

(Lol ok x'D)

Coldfire worked his jaw in disappointment. //I'm not about to call him back...// He eventually shrugged and went back to eating. "We'll just hope for the best. If we do have to run, then we can summon Charbel to fix the situation," he figured.

Coldfire finished as well and pushed his food away, inhaling as he looked around. "Yeah, though I don't feel like waiting to find out," he murmured as he stood. "Let's get out now before it's too late."

Coldfire glanced toward the room again, then followed Giranja out. He exhaled after he shut the door behind them. "It's too hot in there anyway," he commented. He reached out and linked his arm with Giranja's, giving her a soft smile, then led her down the steps and back onto the street.

The shifter shrugged and looked around. "Dunno. I was curious to check out this little town," he admitted. "Do you mind? Or is it too cold for you?"

"Well, we'll stay in the light," he reassured as he turned and led her down the street, the golden window light glowing over the path. There were pretty and decorated buildings around them, though the small welcome signs above each door were written in an unknown language. "This is interesting," Coldfire commented on the town as he peered over at a line of small shops with clothing and trinkets in the windows.

"Yeah... I think it's made for those who are staying here," Coldfire guessed. "I don't see any houses." He kept studying the buildings they passed until they came to the end of the path. He glanced around at the darkness ahead of them, then turned around. "Well, guess that's it. Do you want to head back or keep exploring?"

Coldfire raised his brows. "You went exploring? Here as well?"

Coldfire furrowed his brows and looked forward again. "Huh, really..." //How long was I asleep??// He glanced back at her. "Then let's head back. You need some rest eventually, too," he murmured in concern.

He shook his head. "I'm not gonna push you. We have three weeks to get familiar with this place. It's alright," the prince reassured as he guided her back down the street.

Coldfire gave her a gentle smile. He walked slowly down the path, enjoying the small moment with her, until they reached the end of the mini town. He pulled away from her slowly, giving her a nod to ask if she was ready to go back, then shifted and watched her.

(I'm having this predicament in planning in which I have no clue what couples do on honeymoons X'D)

(Yeah x'D I generally assume they do touring and lots of sleeping and being overly relaxed X'DD I was tempted to throw some trouble at them, but they should at least enjoy the first day trouble-free)

Coldfire took off with Giranja and flew back the way they had come. When he happened to glance upwards, he took a deep breath. "The stars," he breathed in wonder. Out in the mountains where there were no city lights or storm clouds, they could see thousands of glistening stars in every direction, though most notably in a colored galaxy streak stretching across the night sky. The Tundra prince gazed up at it in quiet amazement, unable to help a smile.

(Lol yeah x'D)

"Yeah," Coldfire murmured as he watched the sky above. Rather than slowing down, he quickened his pace toward their cottage, hoping to be able to sit back and really enjoy them without watching where he was flying. He glanced back at Giranja and tipped his head in an eager beckoning to follow.

The Tubdra dragon tossed a smirk back at Giranja, amethyst eyes glowing faintly in the night, then beat his wings and darted ahead. He reached the cottage but swept upwards instead, shifting in the air and landing on the rooftop. He stumbled a little bit, body not as prepared as he thought it would be, but he recovered quickly.

(Noooo Tubdra strikes again)

Coldfire snorted and smirked at Giranja. He stepped over and sat down beside her with a sigh, then gazed up to see the stars. Their twinkling and dancing was enchanting in a way, and strangely familiar. "It feels so close, and real," he murmured.

"It really is," Coldfire hummed in agreement. He laid back against the roof and crossed his arms behind his head. He chuckled a bit. "Astronomy was one of the only things I was interested in learning back home... As a young child, my brother and I saw the stars for the first time, something that never happens with the weather as it was. But on rare occasions, the clouds opened enough to catch a twinkle of the stars at night, and we were lucky to figure out when. But..." He sighed and smiled faintly. "That glimpse never compared to this."

Coldfire glanced at Giranja and smiled, then let it fade when she asked her question. He stared up at the sky in thought. "I mean... You could say so. We almost always fought. But in the end, he was my only friend. Stargazing, whenever it was possible, was the one time when we could get together and just talk," he explained quietly. "Most wouldn't call that very close, but it was the closest we could ever get."

The shifter looked at her with a quiet smile, then back at the sky. "Yeah... it was a good memory.... Though, some years later, the clouds stopped parting and we quit going out to try and see the stars. That was also when Aster became more serious about his role, and we stopped spending time together." He went silent again and let his gaze follow the band of stars, searching them and spotting the brightest stars. "He used to tell me that those who died would reappear as stars in the night sky. I was never able to see, but I had always wished I could see if a star had ever appeared in his honor..."

Coldfire sighed quietly. "Yeah, one day..." He lifted an arm and traced his finger over the band of stars." We named one after our mother. This place is probably a universe away, but if this were our sky, her star would've been right about..." His eyes caught a twinkling star, and he pointed at it. "There."

Coldfire raised his brows and looked at Giranja in surprise. "That's right... You remember that. When did I tell you her name?" he asked curiously.

Coldfire turned his head to watch Giranja quietly. "Huh..." He smiled faintly. "Thanks, for remembering that. It means a lot more to me than you'd think," he admitted.

"Yeah... I don't really remember much at all. All I remember clearly were the emotions. Sterling said I wasn't in my right mind at all." He shrugged and scratched his chest idly. "It all happened so suddenly, it's hard to blame you or anyone for not recalling everything."

The shifter gazed into the distance, jaw working in solemn thought. "I dreamed he killed you. That night I went to fight him, I dreamed he found out about us and he killed you, in the same way he killed Arctic." He sighed and dragged a hand over his face. "It was so real, and so easily possible... I had to end it there. I knew it was only a matter of time before he would find out we were engaged, and I wasn't going to let him beat me to action," he explained quietly. "That dream brought back all the hatred for him I had gathered up over the years, and... I let it take control of me."

The shifter let out a weary sigh. "I know... but it's harder than it looks. I see something and I just... I do it. I feel like I have everything figured out. I never see the consequences until after it's been done. You've noticed that, when I do rash things without constraint," he muttered negatively as he glanced at her.

Coldfire raised a brow at Giranja, then rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, as you've said before..." He trailed off and gazed at the stars a moment, then turned his head to study Giranja again. "Are you cold out here?" he asked rather randomly.

"You sure?" Coldfire checked with an unsure frown. "Are you tired? You walked around a bunch today but never slept afterwards. You should get some real rest," he pressed.

(Haha, I guessed right! XD That'll be really epic to see)

Coldfire pursed his lips, unconvinced. He reached out with a hand and grabbed one of hers and squeezed it, checking the temperature to see if she was actually cold.

(I gotta get some sleep now, so I'll see you later! Thanks for the roleplay!)

(Oh wow xD)

Coldfire pulled himself upright and turned to Giranja, legs crossed, and tried to reach out and grab her hands again. "You -are- cold. Your hands are getting cold, so you need to go inside," he insisted as he reached to grab her wrists.

Coldfire briefly rolled his eyes, then stood up and pulled Giranja up with him. Rather than shifting and flying off, he walked down the roof to the edge, then crouched and hopped down onto the porch below.

(Ah yeah that'd make sense. I feel bad for his parent who got in that unfortunate circumstance with a Krege host x'D)

(Ahh man)

Coldfire smiled at Giranja as he entered, then walked with her to the bedroom. He approached the bed and sat on his side with a sigh, then began to undo his boots.

Coldfire looked back at Giranja with a raised brow and huffed in amusement. After pulling off his boots, he turned and laid on his stomach facing her. Idly, he twirled her hair around a finger. "Tired, huh?"

(Ah yeah that's fine! I don't mind! Coldfire would probably use it to get into the music room, or to sneak in other places he's not allowed or welcome. X'D No worries!)

Coldfire hummed a bit. "Alright... Honestly, when am I ever -not- tired?" he teased with an eyeroll. "In all seriousness, I'm... not bad right now. I think the outdoor weather helped," he admitted with a faint smile. "I want to think I'l be all better in the morning."

(Oh and you don't need to worry about the Tundra mark unless you wanted it. I've kinda figured Coldfire's partly kicked out of the royal family. He's still part of it, of course, but he no longer partakes in the traditions, doesn't have the same authority, and probably isn't allowed to live there anymore. So Giranja might not qualify as one to receive the mark.)

(Haha alright! Yeah, I'm not too sure either. xD

Ahh true. He's probably still clueless to us it, then. X'D)

Coldfire smiled a bit and shrugged as he watched her back. "Yeah. We'll see." He shuffled forward on his elbows until his head was above hers and gave her a kiss, mostly upside-down because of their positions.

(Haha yep xD

Yeah! At the same time, it could be a bad idea, knowing him...)

Coldfire smiled as he kissed her, then hummed as he pulled away. "Think I'll be fine. Unless I get too hot in here," he murmured as he glanced around. He looked back down at her and shrugged, then smirked and leaned in for one more kiss, moving a hand to the side of her head.

(Pfffft poor guy's not gonna like that x'D Another reason he'll hate Qig more lol)

Coldfire chuckled a bit as he pulled away again. "Yeah. Hey, we should get ready for bed. I'm not sleeping in all this," he remarked as he sat up and gestured to his coat. He slid off the bed and began to unbutton it, then paused and looked around. "Guess we'll be using the dressers and stuff here."

(Ahhh he's gonna hate everyone X'D And yep, Thuun will prank him

Oooh nice. Useful if you're more experienced, a pain if you're not. x'D)

(Unless he does something mean to her again lol

Do you think it'd be harder for him to control the abilities if he's not level-headed or calm? If so, I feel like one day he'd be put in a small room for "time-out" and he wouldn't be able to escape lol)

(I forgot to replyyyy)

Coldfire for once took the effort to neatly put his coat on a clothing hanger and hung it in the room's small closet, then set his suitcase on the bed and sifted through it. "Yeah, really... Guess that makes things easier than digging through a bag for a change of clothes each day. Hey, how're we gonna clean our clothes?" he wondered aloud, frowned and looking around the room.

(Ahh yeah that makes sense. Oh no, the poor guy X'DD The castle's gonna become a prison to him if he picks the wrong fights

Awww lol! That sounds fun. I just learned I gotta be up real early, so I should probably head out now. X'D Have fun!)

Lol yeah! He'll get there eventually

Ahh lol, then I guess I should've wished you good luck. xD)

Coldfire furrowed his brows. "Huh... Alright. I've never really had to worry about that before," he mentioned as he began to place clothing items in a dresser drawer. He quickly became impatient from all the neatness and just scooped up all his clothes and plopped them in the drawer, then separated them and spread them out.

Coldfire looked back at her with a raised brow. "What?" he huffed in playful challenge.

"Short patience? I don't know what you're talking about," Coldfire answered as he shut the drawer and dropped his case beside the dresser.

Coldfire frowned. "No I wasn't. I did just what I would've done any time," he responded simply. "I don't have to put my clothes in dressers often, so you just aren't used to seeing it," he excused as he walked to the bathroom and cupped his hands under the water, then washed his hair with it.

(Fyi I'm changing things so that the bathroom is connected to their room because a detached one is a hassle for some reason lol)

After cleaning up in the bathroom, Coldfire walked out and glanced around the room a bit. "Are you all done?" he asked her.

(Lol yep xD)

Coldfire nodded and walked over to flick the lights off, then climbed into his side of the bed and laid down with a sigh. "This isn't bad," he commented after a moment. "I can get used to living here a while," he said, then glanced at Giranja.

Coldfire put an arm behind his head then smiled at Giranja. "It's certainly smaller than a castle. Easier to get around, and a lot more landscape to enjoy," he pointed out. "I wonder if it'd snow in the winter, too."

"We can always come again. Nothing stopping us," Coldfire hummed, watching Giranja's finger move along. He rolled onto his side and rested his hand on her arm, looking her over with a smile and a raised brow. "So? What are we gonna do first? Visit the town? Explore the mountains? Get into more trouble?" he said with a chuckle.

(Lol, it's fine! I didn't think much about it xD
Also sorry I've been so inactive. I feel like I've hit a roleplaying block where I can't get myself into the story haha. I may take a couple days break if it doesn't lift up.)

Coldfire smirked and rolled his eyes. "Fine. That sounds good," he replied. "What did you explore on your own today? Just this area?"

(Haha, thank you Spec! I appreciate how understanding you always are, honestly x') A few days break should be fine, though I may pop in anyway if I'm up for it XD Thank you!)

"Alright. Well, we can see the rest of the mountains tomorrow," he hummed. "After some good sleep, of course. I want to make sure your feet are recovered in case we do any walking," he added, leaning forward to give h dre a quick kiss, then rolled onto his back again but stayed close to Giranja.

(Haha alrighty!

Yay! XD Good luck to you!)

(And I guess this would be a good timeskip/stopping point for whenever we continue)

(Ooo nice!!

Yeah, if you'd like to! If not I can haha)

(Lol alright!)