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( Ja'far frowns, lost in thought for a long moment. So many people were brought from so many different worlds here, from so many different timelines, it was entirely possible that this place could've grabbed him from just before he died. But it's also possible they didn't, that he was alive anyway, and just brought here because it was convenient. But, the unfortunate point is Ja'far doesn't know. And whatever he could say wouldn't change how Aspen views it, not without proof.

There's something else he's now noticing, however. ) The royal Heirstone, what is it? Can anyone use it? Clearly it is not something simple, despite it being something that can kill you - otherwise, your enemy would have used it against you.

[ Aspen balks at first (gods damn it, he had called it the royal Heirstone, hadn't he?) and then his eyes dart away, a chill running down his spine. ]

Ah, it... it's... Petir's keepsake and the royal family's birthright. It... glows if someone has royal blood and is usually kept as an identifier. It's - good for stopping illegitimate power struggles across kingdoms and the like... because its true power is much stronger. It takes a joining of powerful magic across kingdoms to power it as a destructive force.

I wasn't able to see its true destruction, but... I knew we were able to clear through to their front line before everything went black.

( Ja'far's eyes narrow, pieces coming together - the name of the stone, being one of them. )

You are of royal blood, then. ( Ja'far isn't even truly asking at this point. )

I-I never said it needed a royal to power it!

[ (It does.) ]

The name of the stone, the fact you called it royal, the "joining of powerful magic across kingdoms" - and the fact you refuse to answer this - you're of royal blood.

[ He grinds his jaw as his shoulders come up, back and wings tense, meeting Ja'far's eyes. ]

... yes. Since Dene killed my parents, the king and queen, I suppose I'd technically be king of my people as an adult and by the rules of succession.

[ He turns a little, feathers fluffing up. ]

Royal blood does not beget a royal.

( Ja'far watches him, cautious, quiet. )

No, it does not. ( He knows that very well. He follows a king with no royal or noble blood to speak of, after all. )

You said your people were killed by Dene, or enslaved. They took you, then? After killing your parents?

[ Aspen sighs, brows furrowed, letting the anger seep out of him. This, at least, is easy to answer. ]

I can't remember who took me. I was taken to Lotus while they were still Petir's ally and given to an orphan's guild, that's what the guildmaster told me before he sold me to my past master.

( Ja'far frowns deeply. )

And where they eventually 'trained' you.

Yes.

[ He offers the sugar for Ja'far to stir into his tea. ]

( Ja'far doesn't take the sugar, instead staring into his cup for a while.

It was a lot to process.

He takes a sip. )

I'm sorry if it upset you. I tried to warn you.

( Ja'far blinks, taken out of his train of thought. He sets the teacup down, shaking his head. )

No, it's not that. I'm sorry - it's just a lot to think about.

Think?

[ Aspen's halfway to taking up a spoon of sugar but pauses, confused. ]

I... well, that is what you do best.

( He takes another sip of his tea, and then smiles softly at Aspen. )

Thank you for sharing this with me.

... you're sure you don't want the sugar? It'll get bitter if you let the herbs stew too much.

[ He opens the package of madeleines in the meanwhile, the sweet and tart scent of lemon bursting in the air as he takes one, offering it out to Ja'far. ]

( He laughs, nodding. ) Alright, I'll take some.

( He takes the offered madeleine, biting into it. ) Oh, that's nice.

[ He hands the spoon back over to Ja'far, taking his own tea with a satisfied hum. He knows what he needs - a bit of a pick-me-up and some soothing balm. It's what he's made for himself to calm himself down, although just being around his plants seem to do that. ]

I prefer savory snacks, if you like them, you can take them with you. I think... I should lie down.

( Ja'far stares for a moment, then walks over, taking Aspen into a gentle hug. )

Let me know if you need anything.

[ ... ????????????????????? ]

Th... thank you?

[ Wait. That was wrong. ]

I will?

[ Yeaaaah, that's the one. ]

( Ja'far laughs, tightening the hug for a moment before letting go. )

I'll leave once I finish the tea. Thank you.

[ It takes him a second or two later before he actually does return the hug (even if it's with one hand, with the other on his mug.) He squeezes onto Ja'far a little more, briefly hiding his face in his shoulder before he lets go, shuffling, embarrassed. ]

... I know you prefer to be by Sinbad's side, but you're welcome here if you ever need quiet.

[ He says it with his eyes averted, but then hurries out to his bedroom, not wanting to really hear Ja'far's response. ]

( Ja'far blinks, and then watches him scuttle off, obviously a bit embarrassed about it. He smiles, chuckling as he sips and finishes his tea, leaving quietly.

He'll definitely come back to visit. ) Thank you, Aspen.

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