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“Quite pretty, isn’t it? Ima not familiar wit some of the spices the chef used, but I can already imagine tweakin’ a few of me recipes at home,” Peggy stated jovially.

Skye grinned broadly as she sat next to her husband, and said; “And I look forward ta bein’ yer taste-tester.”

As the group chuckled, Zazzy told her parents that she was off to find her own meal, then took off into the sky. Hana and Genie were sad to see her go, but smiled when Tidas told them what she was doing. As they all gathered around the picnic, mouths watered and stomachs rumbled from the delicious sight and smells.

Skye literally had to wipe her mouth as a sweet, yet spicy scent filled her nose. Chicken that had been cooked in an spicy orange glaze sat directly in front of her. She hadn’t had it since she stayed with Mei in Sai as a child, and nearly cried out with joy upon recognizing it.

After putting a few scoops of rice into a bowl, Skye dumped nearly half the tray into her bowl. Tidas stole a piece, then several others after tasting it. He wasn’t big on spicy things, but whatever his wife was eating had the perfect balance of sweetness and heat.

It wasn’t his favorite dish; that title was reserved for the beef dish that he was eating in between stealing from Skye. It was thinly sliced beef sautéed in a sweetened soy sauce with onions, broccoli, daikon, and mushrooms. Tidas ate two large bowls before Peggy told him to share.

“You didn’t say anything to Skye about the chicken?” Tidas complained.

Peggy barked a sharp laugh; “That’s cause I like her better.”

.....

“...That was mean, Peg,” Tidas replied solemnly as he picked at his food.

Skye leaned over, kissed his cheek, then spoke as she gave him her last piece of chicken; “Dinna take it personally, love.. Ya know that she only picks at the ones she likes.”

Tidas scoffed; “Well, she must Love me then..”

“Aye, I do, laddie.. Yer the son I never had, nor wanted. But Ima glad that yer wit me bairn. I know you’ll make her happiness yer priority,” Peggy’s words were harsh, but the look on her face let Tidas know that she really did love him like a son.

She had watched Tidas grow, and was proud of the man that he had become. Peggy worried when Skye had joined the RMC, but Tidas had put her at ease.. ‘That man would die before he ever let somethin’ happen ta me bairn..’

As she flashed him a toothy grin, Peggy added; “I ken wit you around, I dinna need ta worry about the mischief our lass will eventually find.”

Tidas shook his head with a small smile as he replied; “No you don’t. I’ll make sure that she doesn’t get into too much trouble..”

As the two shared a knowing smile, Skye chimed in with annoyance clear in her tone; “What am I? Five? I can handle me self, thank ya very much.”

The two men shared a look, then they both said ‘No’ at the same time. Skye grinned triumphantly at them before going after another dish while Hana and Peggy stifled their laughter. As they are, Hana began to understand why Genie and Mei were so fond of the two royals.

Hana had seen many nobles, royalty, and powerful merchants over the years, but she hadn’t met any like Skye and Tidas before. They didn’t act their statuses, but still had that air about them; that pressure. The kind that emanated from people that held real power..

Hana could tell that even without their magic, the two royals were exceptional. Tidas was known for his military prowess on top of his power. His title as a Pillar combined with his rank as the Commander of the RMC at such a young age was more of a testiment to his intelligence, rather than his brute strength.

Skye was beyond anything Hana thought that she would encounter. Not only was the magic that she could feel coming from her beyond impressive, but Skye also exuded kindness. It wasn’t a kind of presence that Hana had ever experienced, so she wasn’t sure what to make of it.

A warmth she couldn’t recognize filled the air as they all laughed, and enjoyed the food together. Hana had experienced many situations similar to the one she was in now. But they had never given her such a sense of...peace, before.

As she wondered what kind of magic Skye really had, Genie leaned over, and whispered; “It’s just how it is around her.. She’s peace in physical form: the Catalyst that we prayed for.”

Hana barely moved as she replied as low as she could; “You know what that means for her..”

Genie straightened up as he spoke a bit more freely; “I believe the outcome will be better than the Senate thinks. She’s always been one to surprise those around her.”

Hana’s face twisted with worry for a moment before she asked a bit sheepishly; “How do you know?”

Just as Genie took a breath to answer her, Zazzy flew by overhead. She circled once, then came down for a landing. As everyone scrambled to protect the food, Genie looked at Hana with a broad smile, and replied; “Oh, I think the dragon is a big incentive for me to trust her..”

“Quit yer yappin’ and help save the food! The Food!” Skye yelled from the other end of the table.

Genie and Hana did as they were asked as they laughed at the panicked expression on Skye’s face. The kitchen could always make more if something got ruined, but Skye wasn’t about to waste food. After Zazzy had landed, she walked over and lectured Zazzy on ‘landing etiquette’.

“Why does it sound like she’s had that conversation before?” Hana asked out loud without thinking, which was something she almost Never did.

Tidas chuckled after setting his cup down; “Because we have.. Both of us.. Multiple times.. You’d think a dragon would be aware of the wind she causes, but apparently she doesn’t register it most of the time.”

Genie smirked; “Would you if you were that large?”

Skye had finished with her lecture when Genie had cracked his joke, so Zazzy had heard him. She huffed and made a light growl noise while looking at him, which had him immediately apologizing. As she walked back over, Skye chuckled and said; “I’d watch the weight comments. She’s a wee bit sensitive about it right now.”

Genie wanted to ask why, but the gruff stare he was getting from Zazzy had him asking instead; “H-How much did you train with her in the Highlands?”

Skye’s face lit up; “Pretty often when the weather wasna shite. We got really good at goin’ fast: right me scaly bairn?!”

Zazzy trilled to her mother as she nodded her head in the positive, then went back to roasting the two elks that she had caught. They weren’t as far as the ones from the north, but they would have to do for now. As she turned them with her tail while breathing small amounts of fire at it, Hana and Genie watched in awe.

“I can’t believe that I’m watching a dragon have a barbecue.. Today is officially the strangest day of my life,” Hana commented with a small smile.

Genie smirked as he patted her shoulder; “Don’t you mean the most interesting day of your life? I mean...there’s a dragon. When are we ever going to see something so wondrous?”

“True,” came Hana’s simple reply before she turned her focus back to the mythical creature.

As Genie turned to look at Skye and Tidas, a thought occurred to him that her immediately asked about; “What about you two? How often do you train together?”

The two exchanged a glance before Tidas replied; “We do basic PT together, but we don’t actually train together.”

“What?!” came the shocked answer from both Genie and Hana.

“But who else could either of you train with that could offer any benefit? Don’t tell me that there’s more like you two in Alcon?” Hana inquired with a leery expression.

Tidas smirked; “There are two other Pillars aside from me. Skye’s still too new to rank higher than General, which is the rank she earned from finishing the Mage Trials in first place. But Shasta: my Vice Commander and new Queen of Ruscovic, is almost as fast as Skye and I. And Zas, our Major General, is almost as strong as me. And don’t even get me started on the Highlanders..”

Hana’s jaw hung low for a few moments before she replied; “No wonder the Senate wants a peace pact with Alcon.”

Genie sipped his tea, then replied; “That’s not going to work here. Our mages aren’t as powerful as yours, at least not many. Quite a few of them are on the opposition’s side as well.. No, you two will have to train together while I’m teaching you. And, I believe that it will help you two to better understand each other as well.”

Skye and Tidas shared an apprehensive look. They didn’t spare together for various reasons, but the main one for each was completely different. Tidas was afraid that his darkness would come out from enjoying the fight too much, and Skye feared hurting him.

Her powers were growing; she could feel it, and the worried Skye more than most things. From the amount of magic she could use in one go, to the amount of food she was eating; it was all becoming hard to manage. Maevis and Nicolas had told her something about her necklace, but she couldn’t remember.

As Skye started to drift in her thoughts, Genie brought her back by saying; “I can evaluate you two once we reach the capital, but I think I should see what Skye and Zazzy are capable together. It may come in handy when we reach the capital, if it really comes to you having to fly passed Senator Tokuga’s people.”

“Do ya want us ta do some tricks after lunch? Cause I suggest waitin’ til our stomachs settle. Trust me: dragon puke isna pleasant in the slightest..”

Genie stifled a laugh as he replied; “No, that’s fine. There’s actually a stretch of mountains that would be perfect for what I have in mind down the river a bit further. It’ll take a little less than an hour. How does that sound?”

Skye grinned at Genie before looking over at Zazzy, and saying; “So, me scaly bairn! How would ya like ta put on a wee show fer Genie?”

As Zazzy swallowed the last of her meal, she nodded enthusiastically. Turning back to Genie, Skye’s grin widened as she said; “I hope you can keep up, old man.. Cause we like ta go fast.”

Genie returned her cocky smile with one of his own as he replied; “We shall see who will get left behind..”