King of Azsh'raad

“Well, being stuck in time does that to you. But also, if I were to die, the only thing I want to leave is a handsome corpse. Thank you very much.” He says with a chuckle.

He tilts his head at mention of the emperor’s struggle with his own magics. “Hmm… My people and I have always been immersed in magic of all kinds, perhaps we may be of assistance in your road to mastery.” He offers.

“That sounds rather unpleasant. I am glad you got free.“ The wine arrives and Azir takes it, pouring a glassful for Prince himself. The soldiers have their uses, but precision maneuvers like pouring a drink aren’t their strong suite.

"Well, if anything at least I got out of it with something. The stuck in time thing though, can't really do anything about that so lookinf for people who are just as immune to the ravages of time is something I've got to get started on." He says with a somber chuckle followed by a long sip.

"Oh, I'd be a terrible teacher as I was an even worse student. Plenty of excellent ones in the school though." He gives a shrug. "I mean, he's not wrong. Talent is a big boost, practice is far more important though. But in my personal opinion, a strong belief in yourself is just as important. How else would you convince the powers that be to bend to your will if there is a lack of willpower."

“Wine would be good.” He hums in thought making himself comfortable lounging on the couch beside Azir.

“Ah yes. I had left the kingdom’s care with my trusted advisors, glad to see they didn’t burn the place down.” He says with a roll of his eyes, still brilliant gold as always. “I had spent a great deal of time in the shadow realm, mastering the shadows.” He stretches his arms forward with a slight groan of satisfaction.

“But you know the most boring thing was like the months spent in meditation, just to figure out and control the damned visions.”

Azir directs a thought at one of his nearby sand soldiers to have it fetch some wine.

“I’m glad to hear that you have mastered your talents. I, as you can surely guess, still struggle with mine. One of the village elders did say I would make a good witch with some tutoring, but I couldn’t quite tell if she meant it as an insult or a compliment.“ He quietly laughs and looks fondly at Prince.

Was Azir always this tall? He couldn’t recall though there isn’t much to do other than get his face smushed into the soft down of his feathers. The touch would normally send him catatonic but the years of his absence wasn’t spent lazing about rather he’s been training heavily, no longer a slave to the whims of Fate as before.

He pats repeatedly at what his hands can reach and turning his head off to the side. He glances about the room, taking quick note of the numerous things on Azir’s table.

“Likewise, it’s been far too long. Through no one’s fault but my own” he says lightly “But ah- I see you’ve been kept busy.”

Azir gently places Prince back on his feet.

“It hardly comes as a surprise. I’m afraid that rebuilding a country from the ground up is a daunting task that will keep me busy for many more years to come.“ He gestures towards a couch, buried under a considerable amount of papers that he hurriedly clears out of the way. “Let’s sit. You have the look of someone who had a long journey. Can I get you something? Food, drink?“

"Ah yes. I had left the kingdom's care with my trusted advisors, glad to see they didn't burn the place down." He says with a roll of his eyes, still brilliant gold as always. "I had spent a great deal of time in the shadow realm, mastering the shadows." He stretches his arms forward with a slight groan of satisfaction.

The place dims for but a moment and nothing has changed. At first glance at least. From the corner of the emperor’s eye a familiar, skittering insect of inky black smoke appears as if to herald it’s master’s arrival.

It glances up and looks around determining that the emperor is alone then dissappears in a puff of smoke. Mere seconds later a sweeping darkness cloaks a part of the room, there is a flash of gold and in the depths of the darkness. Prince’s form bleeds out of the shadows as if squeezing himself through something tight.

There is a moment of awkward silence while Azir decides between the course of actions he really wants to take and the one proper protocol dictates.

It takes two long steps to reach Prince and no effort at all to scoop him off his feet into a hug.

He pats repeatedly at what his hands can reach and turning his head off to the side. He glances about the room, taking quick note of the numerous things on Azir's table.

Poppies at the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, Los Angeles County, California [2272x1704]