𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨.

⠀𝙸 ⠀, ⠀𝚊𝚜⠀ 𝚝𝚑𝚎 ⠀𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚛⠀ , ⠀𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚍 ⠀𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚘𝚖 ⠀, ⠀𝚞𝚗𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍⠀⠀✧˖°

⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀⠀
⠀
𝚊⠀ 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎 ⠀𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 ⠀𝚏𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚜⠀ 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 ⠀𝚏𝚊𝚍𝚎 ⠀. . .

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
. . . ⠀𝚒𝚏 ⠀𝚗𝚘𝚝⠀ 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜⠀ 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚎⠀ , ⠀𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 ⠀𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 ⠀𝚒𝚝⠀ 𝚋𝚎 ⠀𝚕𝚊𝚒𝚍 ⠀.ᐣ

——— #crrp .
⠀⠀
⠀⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀
. . . ⠀𝚊𝚗⠀ 𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜 ⠀𝚖𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚒𝚝𝚞𝚍𝚎 ⠀𝚘𝚏⠀ 𝚕𝚘𝚝𝚞𝚜 ⠀𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚜 ⠀𝚒𝚗 ⠀𝚋𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚖 ⠀———

——— ⠀𝚊 ⠀𝚌𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚢 ⠀𝚘𝚏 ⠀𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚎⠀ 𝚑𝚊𝚜⠀ 𝚏𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 ⠀𝚝𝚑𝚎 ⠀𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚖 ⠀. . .
⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀[ having received a letter from the lychee dragon , they have sent a copy of their own research to the spire ]

⠀⠀[ entire crates of carefully curated investigation about the ebony dragon , courtesy of them and their advisors , should soon be on the spire's library ]
⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀⠀⠀——— #stormkeeperwedding

⠀⠀[ oooough their heart .. they'll deny tearing up if asked , though . but oughh ]
⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀⠀⠀——— #stormkeeperwedding

⠀⠀[ tears in their eyes . they're genuinely proud of her ]
⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀[ their maids were fixing the last decorations and arrangements . the dragon themselves is too busy eagerly tapping the tip of their tail against the floor ]
⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀[ one last firm squeeze , before they retreat ; returning to their wheelchair , which they have also decorated ]

⠀⠀i will be by your side if need be . once it begins , your worries will simply melt away .

⠀⠀weddings are such a wonderful ceremony , aren't they ..
⠀

[ϟ. ƒυℓgυr ναnιтαѕ @voltsofire]

⠀
you truly think so? the heavens and my deities share the same sentiment. i hope it is not too much...

* she took a deep inhale, turning her eyes back to the dragon.

okay. i believe i am ready!
⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀oh , don't mention it . it is my duty to be cordial , especially around those i call my friends .

⠀⠀[ the dragon smiles , flippers gently squeezing her hands . before turning her to face herself in the mirror ]

⠀⠀look at you . gorgeous .. she will be impressed ~
⠀

[ϟ. ƒυℓgυr ναnιтαѕ @voltsofire]

⠀
* a mirror formed in front of the two, as she nodded. a smile formed, as she carefully took their flippers.

thank you, lotus dragon, for everything. for showing up, for being so supportive throughout it all.

* the sky god being so... sentimental?
⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀mhm ~ ♪ this is a day too special to be spent worrying about trivialities like that .ᐟ

⠀⠀it will be a delightful ceremony . i have your back .

⠀⠀[ taking some flowers , they use the petals to further decorate her dress ]

⠀⠀and you look gorgeous , too ♪
⠀

[ϟ. ƒυℓgυr ναnιтαѕ @voltsofire]

⠀
* the sparks flying from her pulsating hair began to die down, her hair returning to it's natural black, with yellow highlights.

* a relaxing trail of air exhaled from her, as she calmed down.

you're right. this is just another battle, and the heavens commemorate me!
⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀[ long sigh . setting the flowers aside , they move to rub her shoulders ]

⠀⠀you have bested dragons , survived wraiths beyond cookiekind's capacity for comprehension , tamed the heavens ..

⠀⠀think of this as just another battle . one you are sure to win .
⠀

[ϟ. ƒυℓgυr ναnιтαѕ @voltsofire]

⠀
you are right! i am stormbringer cookie, a god who fears nothing! except...

aaauughhh!

* she groaned, floating around in the air.
⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀relax , my friend . it is not the day to be anxious .

⠀⠀[ tenderly preparing flower decorations , the dragon seems quite happy for her . enough to have offered to help ]

⠀⠀it will go well , believe me . there's nothing to fear in your great day ~
⠀

[ϟ. ƒυℓgυr ναnιтαѕ @voltsofire]

⠀
* the time of the wedding had been drawing near. in her beautiful dress, which somehow flowed with no wind.

oh my heavens, oh my heavens. what if it all goes wrong!?

* she turned to @AzureTide_.

i don't... am i doing this right, lotus dragon? i can't even see her!
⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀[ there's a heinous amount of fish ]
⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀[ bestie is getting married .ᐟ currently directing the preparation of an entire cargo of food for the wedding , courtesy of the paradise cousine ]
⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀what you see right now is the inner parts of it .. where the lakes and rivers are , the lotus flowers blossom , and a plethora of creatures thrive .

⠀⠀there are countless other towns and villages in the surrounding areas , as well . it is quite the large nation ~ ♪
⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀it is fairly secluded .. though we do get a great influx of visitors during the wish festival season ~

⠀⠀[ they don't need their wheelchair here .. the environment is notoriously humid , so they don't have to worry for their tail hurting ]

⠀↪

[࣪ ִֶָ☾.⋆ @Shattered_Dusk]

"...Lotus.. Paradise?

I haven't heard of this place before,

It's better than the Cremé Republic.. I'll say that much,"

[-She looked around at the sights, it was like stepping into a new world-]

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀[ the tadpole leaves both the dragon and the cookie in a nearby wooden bridge , above the flowers and the water ]

⠀⠀this is the lotus paradise . my domain , my home .

⠀⠀it is a great distance away from the republic , so you can be safe . no conflict exists here .
⠀

[࣪ ִֶָ☾.⋆ @Shattered_Dusk]

[-She jumped off of the flower,

Looking around-]

"Where..is this? Everything's more calmer than I'm used to,"

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀timekeeper must have considered safe foe you to come here .

⠀⠀[ a tadpole floats next to her , the lotus dragon comfortably sitting ; offering a flipper for her to get on it ]

⠀⠀.. get off the flower , please . before you fall into the lake beneath it .
⠀

[࣪ ִֶָ☾.⋆ @Shattered_Dusk]

[-She just jumped into the rift,

Crashing on a lotus flower, where?

Where was this?-]

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀.. what a pity . that was a good navy .

⠀⠀[ safely rifted ( alongside the advisors and maids ) back into their paradise . better prepare for the continuation of this meeting ]
⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀hm . what a pity . but their actions don't truly concern me , so ..

⠀⠀[ the maids move to pick back up all the folders and documents . preparing to depart ]

⠀⠀.. timekeeper . may you transport back my ship as well .ᐣ it is still safely docked at the main port .
⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀return to my paradise .. hm . how will i be sure that we will actually have another meeting .ᐣ

⠀⠀or , perhaps .. i suggest handling this topic in my own palace . where war will not find us .
⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀( 💭 .. the violet dragon is here .ᐣ )

⠀⠀ahem . let us , please , continue this meeting . before things inevitably get out of control . i asked for your insights and thoughts , not for you to collapse at the sight of revolution .
⠀

[𝐍𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐫 — 𝐃𝐮𝐜𝐨. @AzureTide_]

⠀
⠀⠀.. stay seated , financier cookie . this meeting is not over . and you will get yourself crumbled out there .
⠀