Chapter Text
Ivory sails shone sailing in the bright summer day, salted waters lapped against petrifyied oak that made up the body of the magnificet ships, whom where tied to the dock with spiraled roles, harnessing their mighty power aginst the harsh new terrain.
The fabled ivory prince stalked down the narrow steps of the tall boat's ladder, the paleness of their skin and irritable mood a striking contrast to the pretty face it was portrayed against. Even the sun didnt seem dare to impose itself on their sharp, efeminant features.
Servants from this foreign land trickled out from their onset on ships. Carrying cargo and gifts all the same, not minding as a cookie with long brown hair, clad with many steam-punk esck trinkets on her forest green slip dress, that of which matched the city gleaming behind them as though carfully thought through.
The cookie extended a hand outwards in a friendly manner, offering a handshake to the dragon.
"Welcome to steam district. I am Baguette cookie, Timekeeper's personal assistant, and I will be showing you around today. As well as imforming you on everything you may need know for your new position in the high court. "
Longan hesitated to shake the cookie's hand, only to sigh, shaking with their own gloved hand. The feeling of leather against leather on such a hot day made their stomach clench.
"I.... Am Longan, I am here representing much of the Eastern continent. "
They broke touch as soon as they felt polite enough to do so, looking towards the end of the dock, where the fairymen seemed quite Celebratory. Having decorated their post as well as taken to festivity together with drinking games. It also stuck out to them how the city beyond also felt similarly decorated.
"If I may... Is the city always this festive?"
Baguette cookie retook her hand as well, before responding in the same tone as before. Calm and ever so slightly aloof.
"No, today is a day of celebration, now if I may, if you do not have any urgent matters, I would suggest we go to the greenhouse to see them closer. The greenhouse is also more tempid than ourside."
She spoke with calm efficiency, taking in longans sweat and discolorment without judging, instead offering them a solution.that-- longan would appreciate.
She flashed a smile, before beginning to walk, signifying the start of their time here. The city growing on them like a shark to it's prey, enveloping them whole.
The walk though the overly-lively city was mostly quiet. Cest for when Baguette cut through the silence to talk about shops and places she thought Longan would find important to know about. Also often going in for many moments each time when about all the side street restaurants and stores Timekeeper loved to visit. Often adding the names of the store owner s and workers that she knew all personally. Enough for them to have to have visited often. They found this information odd compared to what they (begrudgingly) studied about cookies and their culture in preparation of coming to this continent.
Albeit that the entire city was half-hazardly decorated, the large geometric glass dome that came into view felt as though it brought everything together. That which Longan identified as the greenhouse their guide had talked about earlier through the shadows of plants they could see blocking the light inside.
The dome was beautiful from the start. Made of intricate patterns of stained glass with gear-like trimmings of metal climbing the sides like vines. creating a fascinating blend of steampunk and nature.
Despite the blistering sun overhead, through the glare Longan could see vines growing along the inside walls of the dome, blooming freely.
"Does something concern you here?"
Longan only became aware that they had paused when Baguette spoke out, having paused as well to make sure she was not inhibiting their work.
Longan took a moment to figure out themselves why they had stopped. Their voice catching in their throat before. "I-… was simply just.. Admiring. It would be harder to do so as we got closer, no?"
Baguette nodded, taking no time at all to start moving again once Longan did, going on about another one of Timekeeper's favorites, something about Timekeeper making a bet with a rough teenager and then causing trouble with them, many years ago apparently. They really couldn't bring themselves to listen or care beyond that.
As they came to the enterance of the greenhouse, Longan began to look around. Letting baguette carry on to what they recognised as a front desk, as they took in their poorly decorated surroundings.
As Baguette approached the desk, she kept mostly polite, but made it Obvious they weren't around to linger.
"I am in need of the access key for the grand chateaux. Does this location have it?"
The clerk perked up as she noticed Baguette cookie, immediately turning all her attention to the assistant.
"Ah! Yes, we do! I'm sure they'll be so happy you've finally arrived!" The clerk turned to grab what was requested from behind her on the shelf that occupied the back wall of her reception area. Taking a small metal card from the locked drawer before closing it and turning back to Baguette to deposit it in her waiting hand. Before glancing at Longan, who was staring absentmindedly into one of the windows "Although…it seems like you might be having an…unexpected visitor. " she glanced back again Baguette. "Shall I call security?"
Baguette followed her gaze, looking at Longan. It was kind of cute how they just examined the plants.
She shook her head, returning her gaze to the clerk, grimacing at the thought of poor Longan having security called on them.
"No no no, theyre with me- a special invite. " she reassured, mentioning for Longan to come, as the clerk raised an eyebrow.
Longan took a moment to notice Baguette, only needing to take a couple long strides to catch up, matching Baguette's pace as she began to walk as well.
As they passed the desk, Longan spared a glance at the clerk. Her "smile" a poor excuse for hiding her true disgust, her disgust at them. Their form. Their… presence. . . It scared her. Her hate rooted in fear.
Fine. If they wanted their "big scary dragon". They would get it.
Just before they passed, Longan barred their teeth, all razor sharp, their canines 4cm long, coming to fourt terrifying points in their mouth. Their incizers just as sharp, meant to rip apart flesh from bone. While their molars looks as though they would crush her bones.
Longan flashed a toothy smile again even, before continuing on, catching up to their tour guide once again. Not bothering to look back as the clerk covered her mouth with her hands, her face going entirely pale.
Longan began to look around once more, before finally putting all their attention on Baguette as they approached an elevator. Baguette walking ahead to swipe the card she had retrieved into the pannel. The doors opening just as Longan caught up.
" What an odd contraption you have…" Longan murmured, continuing their train of thought as Baguette joined them in the elevator. "Is it not hazardous to have the mechanisms within the machine…just, open like so? Especially with all the vines? "
Baguette followed Longan's gaze to the uncovered gears that hauled their weight upwards, having to think about Longan's question for a moment before she replied.
"I… never thought about it, there have been isolated incidents, but nothing I can think of that is relevant to what your asking. "
Longan would have asked about the incidents themselves if they felt more comfortable with the assistant, but instead, they inquired about the rest of the city's architecture.
"Is the rest of your city built like this? The mechanical parts I mean. "
They weren't surprised when Baguette nodded after a moment. Nodding their own head after. Before furrowing their brows at the sound of…harps? Definitely not the most festive instrument. As they drew closer, they could hear that this was accompanied by other softer instruments. Although quite nice. They didn't understand how it compared to their studies.
The gears grinded to a halt, belts whining to open the door of the elevator, revealing the highest level of the dome.
Colors and patterns projected onto the patriots of this party in an ethereal way, dancing upon lily petals and glistening on rivets of water.
Rainbows laid upon their graces, light shone it's core into the heart of the chandeliers. It's tempered glass, cut into the strings of fate, split the light across the room into a trillion different possibilities. No part of the room untouched despite shadows or covers.
The shadows of leaves and petals were inked upon the wooden floors like tar on parchment. Creaking under their weight as they stepped into the room and bid Baguette farewell.
Longan began to wander off, their head turned upwards to admire the mega-fauna that climbed to the heavens. Although their attention was elsewhere, it did not surpass them as heads turned when they approached, not nearly as disrespectful as it had been walking through the city, but they were sure that the crystals and wine glasses scattered around had some influence.
They turned their attention back down, looking around at tables of people, although some were standing and dancing, the tables adorned with white cloth colored with gold green and blue accessories and flowers, many patrions holding a large variety of cocktails. The entire collective seeming at least a little inebriated.
As Longan looked around and took in the decorations, they had to take a moment to think. Racking their memory of what they had studied. They vaguely remembered reading of a festivity that was this, soft. With light music, white decor, respected setting, and —in theory— family and friends coming together to celebrate… Marriage! They were at a wedding!
Oh God, they were at a wedding.
They reminded themselves that not every wedding was like the wedding they had seen, and that at the very least, they weren't direct family. Before deciding that they deserve to lay back and have a little fun finally.
They sighed, looking around to try and locate a wine or booze cellar.
beyond looking at any decoration they found intrestng— and keeping an eye out for alchohol.— Longan didnt pay much attention to their surroundings. just enough to not bump into anyone.
Apparently they were paying too little attention, listening as excited sqealing and giggling became louder and closer, not bothering even to glance over untill-
The sound cut off as Longan felt their centre of gravity shift until it couldn't anymore, their body falling to the floor like dead weight.
A blonde haired girl crashed into Longan, leaving both dazed on the floor, the girl lay atop Longan as they both regained their bearings. the girl shifting to sit up on Longan, her legs splayed across their form as she held her head, looking longan up and down like she was sizing them up.
Longan barely had enough time to barces themselfs as the girl immideaitly exploded with uncontained excitment.
"I found you!"
Her voice was a high pitched sqeal, right into longans face. A male who looked far less excited quickly caught up, looking as though he might faint from how little blood was in his head.
"Timekeeper! You have to be paying attention for stuff like this! look! You have crashed into this gentleman and you have not even got off him yet!"
Timekeeper giggled, only glancing back at the man, making the consious decision to ignore him, climbing even futher onto Longan, whom was forced to lean back and lay on their elbows to accomodate so.
"You! You're the new council member! We've been waiting for you— I've been waiting for you! you have to tell us everything!"
All Longan could do was lay there, too shocked to do much else, to try and take the situation into their own hands.
The man behind Timekeeper frantically stepped forward, trying to hook his arms under Timekeeper and grab her before she was inevitably shoving her face into theirs.
"Timekeeper!" He exclaimed as he wrapped his arms around her, dragging her off the dragon, "Get off him! You cannot just tackle people because your excited!"
She lunged for the man once she got off Longan, turning to instead annoy him instead.
"Come on~ Millenial! SooooOooooOOoOooo ah, uptight. Loosen up! It's our wedding~" She purred into his chest, twirling a stand of Millenial's hair as she slumped towards the floor.
Millenial sighed, tension visibly being released from his frame as he moved to pet her hair, giving a sheepish smile to Longan, whom took it as a "sorry, shes drunk". taking a moment to stand themselves as well.
As the two got to their feet (albiet one with less elegance) Longan spoke out again, clearing their throat before so.
"Well…i was not aware that the ower of the court was to be married to the king of the newest nation, I apologise for any lack of appropriate gifts, or any other shortcomings on my part… i just arrived an hour or two ago," They explained, they wanted to keep their image good for the two most powerful people they would encourter regularly. "I also limited my studies on your culture to what I thought may be important, so unfortunately I do not know much more than a couple thing about your weddings." They stated, racking their brain for what little they did know about weddings."T have heard that in these regions, it is traditional for the couple to wear white, and that wearing white otherwise" they spared a glance to their own outfit. white. almost entirly, other than some embroiderer, thenn glancing at Millenial who wore a white suit as well, with green and yellow. the words flowed out of their mouth before they could stop themselvess."Would be considered disrespectful…."
Their entire head went blank, their breath catching in their throat as their face became incredibly flush.
Timekeeper giggled, while Millenial smiled and shook his head playfully.
"It's alright! I don't think either of us take offence! Timekeeper— and me, are just happy that you make the time to celebrate with us on your first day here."
Millenial offered a kind smile as Timekeeper began to slide dow ntheir side again despite having gotten up again.
Longan smiled back, still taking a moment to find themselvess before nodding. Begining to ramble slightly.
"i- yes- it was not my intention to, well..if i had known you were set to marry a couple things would have been diffrent-" They began, laughing a bit, able to find the humour in their predicament. "I would have brought diffrent gifts for starters, like, i brougt a couple things to symbolise longevity, but its not spesifially for love. I brought a bangan tree, but not I would have perfered to bring an orchid plant, orchids are prettier as well i suppose-" Longan stated, laughing at the end. They knew that the couple probally didnt care all to much from how Milenial looked slightly disinterested.
Alternatively, when Longan glanced beside him, Timekeeper looked quite overly excited, opening a small portal so fast they hadn't even had the time to process what happened until she has wrapped the black coat she had grabbed from it around Longan's shoulders. Using it to hoist herself up to see Longan face to face. Which was quite difficult from how tall they were.
She wasted no time as she spoke, asking too many questions to answer at once, the smile on her face spreading as so.
"What kind of other symbolism is there??!? Is it for all things??? It's way more specific than ours! Do you study it?? Is it well known? It is old? From some type of mythology?!?"
Timekeeper was once again pulled back by Millenial, giving Longan their personal space back.
"Timekeeper! Oh my God! Stop this! Sir I'm so sorry, She gets very jumpy when she is drunk, and she is very excited, I promise she is usually better than this!"
Longan didn't focus too hard on Millenial's apology, nodding along and saying was okay, most of their attention was on the coat Timekeeper gave them to cover the white of their suit.
"Its- it's fine… really! It's better than all the other conversations I've had at the weddings I actually even know people at! I don't mind at all telling people about my culture!"
They assured, making sure Millenial didn't faint from embarrassment before they turned their attention to Timekeeper, they could feel how irritated she was that Millenial kept interjecting, even if it was to get her off them sometimes.
"Thank you… I…really appreciate the coat, if I had to stand knowing I was disrespectful, even by accident, I might have died- now—I do believe I have forgotten to introduce myself. I am Longan. The first heir of five in total. I hail from what roughly translates to "The illuminated line". How about I tell you more over a drink?"
They smiled at Timekeeper, before extending their hand to shake hers.
It was many hours later, in the late hours of the night, that Longan decided to call it a day. Walking carefully down the stairs in their drunken state, dragging a bottle of ice wine along with them. They had an amazing time. Getting incredibly drunk alongside Timekeeper as they laughed and joked about dumb family members. It was one of the best events they had ever attended. Albeit they had left, the couple probably would have stayed untill the party was completely over. Timekeeper letting Millenial take care of her untill the early hours of the morning.
They walked sluggishly through the main corridors of the dome, which now had night gaurds on duty instead of a clerk, who barely glanced at Longan as they stumbled by.
As they passed by, they couldnt help but think about the vines growing along the walls of the dome, at first glance, Longan had thought that they had been untrimmed, left to sprawl across the expanse of the wall, but now, they saw that the vines were over-cut, pruned too far. It made the feel of the dome look cleaner, but… it was not done with the plants' health in mind, they had heard of a pruning method, where one would cut the plant just enough. Which in the end would enable the plant to grow more lush and stronger than it ever could have before… but with how much they cut it, it almost seemed cruel. Why even bother having it?
They almost started to cry, getting themselves worked up, before using what little rational thought they had to realise that they needed to get home before they had some alcohol induced meltdown.
Now stumbling through the city with purpose, they winded through the streets of the city, occasionally pressing the bottle to their lips and taking a sip of ice wine.
They reached their apartment complex fairly quickly, too tired to pay attention to their surroundings, and not sober enough to know or care how they knew where it was.
They stepped inside, groaning at the thought of trying to walk all the stairs to the top floor, or alternativly embarrass themselves trying to operate an elevator when drunk.
After that they had no recollection of getting up to the top floor, stumbling to their door and falling into their room. Too inebriated to think about how they would reprimand the servants for leaving their door open.
They barely managed to close to the door to their room, making it to their desk as well by pure luck.
They slumped in the chair, sinking into plush cushions and resting their head against them with the coat they were given in between. Wrapping it around themselves despite the hot weather, the bottle slowly slipping out of their hand.
They had planned to write to their parents as soon as they had gotten in the room, even if it was just to show they didn't die at sea. But they were sure that they wouldn't mind waiting another day to have it written.
Even through the fog in their head, they found their thoughts drifting back to their interactions with Timekeeper. She seemed so genuinely happy to converse with them. maybe it was the alcohol at play, that they were both drunk, but even back at home, no one talked to them like that…. Like they actually enjoyed it at the same level they did. Like they enjoyed it at all.
Timekeeper was very pretty, they had not problem believing that Millenial—or some other man for that matter, would immediately be trying to marry her after her parents died. Longan was just glad that she was smart enough to think for herself. A smart, pretty, magnificent woman. They thought. Nodding out thinking about how they were to see her once again.