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[advisors]

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[advisors]

( 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. )

[terraria]

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

[ (It does.) ]

[advisors]

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.

[terraria]

[ 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.

[advisors]

( 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?

[terraria]

[ 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.

[advisors]

( Ja'far frowns deeply. )

And where they eventually 'trained' you.

[terraria]

Yes.

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

[advisors]

( 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. )

[terraria]

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

[advisors]

( 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.

[terraria]

Think?

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

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

[advisors]

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

Thank you for sharing this with me.

[terraria]

... 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. ]

[advisors]

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

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

[terraria]

[ 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.

[advisors]

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

Let me know if you need anything.

[terraria]

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

Th... thank you?

[ Wait. That was wrong. ]

I will?

[ Yeaaaah, that's the one. ]

[advisors]

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

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

[terraria]

[ 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. ]

[advisors]

( 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.