Guilds of Fortune

She was... beautiful. Aedan had to drag his blue eyes away from the princess', like an reflection of her soul, so kind, serene. Like an endlessly cloudless blue sky.

So utterly beautiful, and so terribly out of reach.

She was still a Princess. Bowing at the waist, just like he had for his own king and queen only days before, Aedan took the liberty of introducing his group.

"Hunters Brilliant Flame, White Fang, and Black Wing. Here on official business from our countries king and queen." He motioned to himself, Aislyn, and Nari in turn, watching as Aislyn curtsied- despite her armour- and Nari fixed her amber gaze on him. Only then braving the Princess' gaze once more.

"Aaaaah, I don't need you to introduce me." Nari piped up, narrowing her molten gaze at the silver armoured hunter.
"Black wing, at your service Princess." She gave the princess an exaggerated bow, the tail of her helmet flicking over her shoulder with the action.

Nari stepped away from their trio, she'd already heard Aedan's explanation of the disease once, and there were much more interesting things in the great room then his formal voice. Honestly, did someone shove a stick up the mans ass? That's what it looked like from her perspective, as soon as they met the Princess he went rigid, all of his words carefully spoken like he was talking to some kind of dangerous creature.

And the Princess, she was gorgeous- all soft curves, fine features and flowing blonde hair. She had to admit, despite, or perhaps in spite of, Balthiers teasing, the hunter and the princess would look good standing beside each other. That is, if he could bring himself to smile as graciously as she was.

Feeling rather inadequate next to the Princess Nari sauntered around the room, taking in this piece and that, from the elaborate decorations on the great floor- the floor for pete's sake- to the grand arched ceiling and all of it's glories. Why would anyone need to live this... opulently?

"...and so, in light of the recent events, we would like to request assistance in the form of any knowledge you or your kingdom might have of such a disease, as well as any forces you should feel fit to donate to our plight, as we search for the source of this plague and hopefully bring it to an end." Speech finally finished, Aedan heaved an internal sigh. Almost the entire trip from Yukumo to the Leyvetten capitol, he had practiced, formed, and memorized this particular speech. He was glad it was over, though staying down on one knee as he had throughout the entire thing, eyes carefully glued to the dias just beneath the throne, had started to wear on him. He had obviously not gotten much sleep the night before, and that tumble around the ship certainly hadn't helped the stiffness he could feel creeping into his joints.

Standing would be a chore.

"Absolutely not." Things were really not going his way. Aedan had been doomed to hell it seems, from the moment he spoke to the queen of his country.
"I have enough problems on my hands with these two children fooling around, without having to add protecting royalty on top of that." He motioned to Balthier, still sitting in the most inappropriate of places, and Nari half way across the grand room, probably not even listening to their conversation. She of course proved him wrong, sauntering over to the group with the intent of spiting Aedan. She didn't care if the King himself wanted to come- she was still miffed at Aedan for the bruises she had to suffer.

"Well, if I didn't know any better I'd say you just insulted the Princess here. I'm no child- I'm a woman in my own right and I have to say you are digging yourself a hole" Nari's ambers eyes flashed dangerously, meeting Aedans icy orbs with just as much ire. His words had stuck under her skin like a splinter, as if him doubting the Princess' ability to protect herself was akin to him doubting the abilities of all women to protect themselves.
"Please, let me help you step into it."

"Then if you are willing to risk war on a mere whim, who am I to stop you." That's right, he was merely a lowly hunter, and this more then anything cemented in his mind how ridiculous the nobility were. She might have good intentions no doubt- but she was royalty. Selfish actions such as that got other people killed. He knew he needed to cool down, before he really ended up putting his foot in his mouth. So he turned and stalked out of the room, yanking open the large doors single-handedly and disappearing down the elaborate halls once more.

"I'm... I'm so sorry Princess. He means well he just... doesn't know how to express it." Aislyn gave the Princess a deep curtsy, and with one pleading look hurried after her brother.

"It was a pleasure meeting you Princess, I look forward to having another female on this adventure. Perhaps between the three of us we'll manage to keep these men in line." Nari bowed- attempting to curtsy without a skirt looked rather silly- briefly meeting Balthiers eyes before following the two hunters out of the grand hall, waiting just outside it's doors for the pirate to join her. No doubt he would want to catch up with the Princess as well- though what kind of relationship they had completely eluded her.
She couldn't understand why she felt disappointed.