The Cursed Prince

"You'll get the hang of it. This city in particular is not very human, but still has that human-veneer. Most of us are used to blending in, but it's a little more lax in the city. But only just. You'll get the hang of it." She went to go sit in the kitchen to wait on the pizza to cook.

"So you'll have to explain this 'pizza' to me. This is a dish that you eat often? Just you or... others? Speaking of, what is your diet like? Aside from... pizza." Saying the word like it was so strangely foreign. Because it was. He would get used to it sooner than later.

"...If that's not rude to ask."

That was... an issue, wasn't it. He looked a bit awkward, at that.

"Unfortunately, I don't. I've been trying to earn some by finding some opportunities for labor, but they're few and far between here. Most places keep asking for some sort of identification and for me to... 'fill things out' and balk when I tell them that I have more than enough physical qualifications to meet what they are looking for."

Cael offered Miles an apologetic smile.

A waterfall surrounded by trees and brushes in autumn colors. Doesn't it remind you of Rivendell?

Photo: Foe Rodens

"Ah, good. Well, if y'need anythin' explained, jus' ask. We have... a wide variety of beings that dine here. Their needs are a bit more diverse than meat an' fruit, mostly." Dreams, fears, laughter, poisonous mushrooms, memories, they had quite the variety on offer alongside more standard and haute cuisine.

"We have medicines t'help, but I don' know whether they'd help you or make it worse. Better t'be safe. An' also savour it, I suppose." Just... didn't want to have to call Charlie in a panic with a lookalike going into anaphylactic shock. Though, one small benefit of Charlie being blind, he'd probably just be able to tell the man was of a similar dragonish line.

...But maybe he would get a little buzzed.

Just a smidge.

He'd figure out he wasn't in a castle court on his own. In the meantime, bemused by his formal attitude to things. Maybe he'd always be like that...

"Food scarcity is a thing here, but not with me. I'll pop in a pizza. Don't tell me you don't know what that is, I already know." Pizza was, strangely, a pretty unique food item to Terran Earth. She left to the kitchen to do just that with one of her frozen pre-mades.

And no, he did not know what a pizza was. Blinked once or twice at her and realized that he was not in a position to argue. She had a strong air of authority about her. And given that he was not from here, he had no station to tell her what and what not to do.

Not even mentioning her hospitality.

When she returned with the water, he picked up on its use and purpose easily enough. Took in a few drinks that he didn't realize he'd needed. It had been some time since he'd had water. And now that he had water, he was realizing that it also had been a while since he'd had proper food.

"I won't burden you for a breakdown of this city's culture. But that will probably be my step one. It will help me figure out exactly what is valuable and what is not. Not... necessarily monetarily." In case she thought he meant to go around pilfering gold or other objects.

"I'm sorry, I don't- I'm not familiar with uh... "Robot" as a term." He knew now that this place had many mechanical marvels... And maybe this one was one of them? But before he'd learned what 'cars' and 'trains' were, they had been horseless carriages. Maybe it was all things he sort of understood on a conceptual level and he was just lacking the right naming conventions.

"My name is Cael," he replied, one of his long ears giving a self-conscious twitch. "I am... Well, obviously, I am not from around here. I made my way through a Gate not long ago. So I am still... adjusting."

Their situations were different, but the way the Queen gestures at Cael is not lost on Ava. She's seen it before, mostly aimed at herself and some of the younger members of the court. Before she has a chance to give Cael her answer, Magnolia is speaking. "I was hoping to go to a room, I am rather tired, but I'm sure Ava would adore a tour."

Which was also very true, and Ava's face has turned a furious shade of red. There was an unspoken statement in there, that she could usually be found tucked away in the more remote corners of their own castle's grounds when things became too overwhelming. Something she had been chastised for more than once.

So the Prince would offer a nod and a small bow. "Of course. You can follow your escorts to your room. I'm sure they will be able to show you the way." The guest quarters were not far from the main entryway for ease of access. Made it easier for guests to also attend any ceremonies that they may have been in attendance for. But Cael was pleased that at least one of the ladies would remain, his gaze turning to her and trying very hard to save her the embarrassment of acknowledging that blush.

"Ah, good. Well, if y'need anythin' explained, jus' ask. We have... a wide variety of beings that dine here. Their needs are a bit more diverse than meat an' fruit, mostly." Dreams, fears, laughter, poisonous mushrooms, memories, they had quite the variety on offer alongside more standard and haute cuisine.

"We have medicines t'help, but I don' know whether they'd help you or make it worse. Better t'be safe. An' also savour it, I suppose." Just... didn't want to have to call Charlie in a panic with a lookalike going into anaphylactic shock. Though, one small benefit of Charlie being blind, he'd probably just be able to tell the man was of a similar dragonish line.

Too busy just trying to keep himself fed, anyway.

Cael offered Rook a gracious nod. He was polite, if nothing else.

"I appreciate your hospitality and I look forward to what you can provide. Do not go above and beyond on my accord, however. Something simple will be just as good as anything else." He also did not know how indebted he would be if he ate extravagantly. The man had agreed to some labor, yes, but too much would keep him tied when he still needed to explore.

But in the meantime, he would still sip at his mead, trying not to guzzle it enthusiastically. Drinking was looked down upon in the first family, just by nature of it being the pastime of troublemakers and vagrants, but he and his elder brother had shared many drinks in secret before Theodoric had been sent away.

The thought made him ache, somewhat, and he leaned an elbow on the table, resting chin in hand as he waited. A little melancholic.

He finished removing each piece of the armor, then fixed on smoothing out his clothes and stretching his limbs in a few ways that he had not been able to. Realizing, however, that this was probably somewhat rude. So he stopped, standing upright with hands tucked behind his back. Like a man with some slight military training, maybe. Mostly just etiquette lessons.

"...Some water would not go amiss. But I would not want to take your food resources without being able to contribute and replace them."

Especially when the stranger was close enough to siding with the other robot that the other happily flipped him off with his free hand. He would sigh. But he’s a robot.

….oh, he DOES want to sigh. Well fuck. still not doing it, Wren instead gave the stranger the most long suffering look.

The other robot waited for him to say something, and when he didn’t, gave a big OOOOHHH. “Cat for your tongue????”

Wren sighed.

The other robot meanwhile was nothing but pleased. He elbowed the stranger while Wren had his little crisis and started pulling off his shoes with his free hand. “Hey hey, wanna see what he’s so worried about? get a load of this!”

When both shoes were kicked off, he had two bare, normal human feet in the grass. The flesh butted right up to the metal of his legs, entirely integrated. “I can feel the fucking grass!”

Wren closed his eyes. “We don’t know how they’ll hold up under-“

“Bet I could climb a tree with these babies!”

His gaze went from Wren to Luke and back to Wren, clearly entirely out of his depth. He had no idea what was going on. The sudden exposing of the golem's leg as fleshy had him leaning back and away in surprise and some sort of???? Disgust?? Maybe??? It wasn't what he was expecting. And it was off-putting.

"I- Look I think you may have me confused with someone who knows what's going on here with... all of this. I know this city is... a strange one, but this is stranger even still. You... name your golems and allow them to have free reign? And- are they... made of partial human flesh? I'm sorry. This is beyond me."

It is also a little amusing to her that Cael and his family look somewhat akin to how she does, though her horns are not nearly as long and she is closer to a human in almost all features otherwise. Her horns were usually a point of contention between herself and her companion, another feature that will likely be held against her in private.

"Magnolia," The older girl says, hands clasping against her chest at his bow, her green eyes sparkling, "And my companion-"

"Ava." For the first time since they've arrived, Ava is able to speak up, stepping up next to Magnolia. "Members of the Andromeda court." Ignoring the small glare shot her way, she remains at Magnolia's side. The contrast between them is borderline amusing, their appearances and attitudes contrasting so much when they are side by side. By all accounts, Magnolia is much like the leaves that poke out from her curls - sprawling. She fills up a room with her presence and voice, her mere attitude. Ava knows that it is just customary for people to address them both, and that there was a likely chance that had they not been so close, Cael might have only addressed Magnolia.

"Our family appreciates the hospitality in turn," he replied with a nod. Briefly, he glanced back at where his mother and father still spoke, the Queen giving him a return look that said to 'go on and play' as if he were still a child. She always was intent on treating him that way. Theodoric had been a real man. Cael had been the second-born. Somehow, that put him firmly in the 'baby' category. Never mind that he still had a gaggle of younger siblings.

"Would you both like to go on a tour of the castle grounds?" He said as he fixed his green eyes back on the girls. "There are several things that I'm sure you will enjoy. We have many features here for guests to partake in. But it can be a bit daunting, if you do not know where to start."

"Well, if you are not opposed to it, I am sure I can travel with you for a bit longer. I would not want to outstay my welcome, of course. And if I can, I would like to make it up to you."

...Well. In some way. He had no money.

"I can handle things like manual labor, if you need such a thing anywhere. I also have some small knowledge of various culinary dishes, depending on the available ingredients."

Ava is among the more regularly chosen ones, quieter than some of the others and more observant. Her magic isn't as well received as the others, either, though that's less of a problem than it would appear to be. As herself, another girl, and their caretakers enter the hall, Ava takes a moment to study each of their faces in turn. She knew who each of them were, of course, but this was the first time she had actually been able to see any of them in person.

Cael was the only one in attendance today, with his adult siblings likely doing various things around the castle and the younger having their schooling. He watched as the guests entered the main hall, the dark green rug lining the walkway up to the thrones, and yet they need not go that far. The King and Queen stood midway between the entry and the thrones, not very keen to greet guests as if they were passing some sort of judgement. They were amicable and friendly, the King with his bright orange hair that extended down the length of his back and the queen with darker brown. Both sported draconic features not unlike Cael's, but the monarchs each had long, pointed horns that swept back from the crest of their heads, adorned in golden rings. Cael did not have horns yet. Hopefully soon, he thought.

While his mother and father greeted the caretakers, Cael turned his attention to the younger girls. They reminded him of his sisters, Brenna and Eira who were twenty-two years and sixteen years, respectively. It was easy for him to nod in thanks to the condolences, solemn though his face had to be whenever his brother Theodoric was brought up.

"You are welcome beneath the Thundering Skies," he greeted customarily. "May your visit be one to remember us by."

That out of the way, he allowed his curiosity to take him. He did not know how old these girls were, but he had to make an assumption that he was a fair bit older than them. Though he'd been wrong before. It was difficult to tell when different races had different methods of aging.