Chapter 14 Part 3. (Fin.)

(Tia-Tia) Hehe, I may be exhausting, but I'm also a great and sexy actress. Did you like my performance? Did it make you want to, take me here and now.

(Dime) I hope your light fades in the most painful way imaginable. You've dragged this farce on long enough. Get back to the story already.

Heather grabs the gravity defying glass, chugging the whole thing before letting out an aggressive satisfied exhale. "That really hit the spot. Thank you Dime." … "Dime?" … "Dime." … "By the Gods! Dime! You know where Haider is. Tell me or so help me I'll start chipping away at the ring with a sharp knife."

(Dime) Haider has denied you access to that information. I am unable to divulge it at this time.

"The fuck you say to me?! He is my brother, I have the right to know where he is! I outright demand it!" Heather says in a furious tirade.

(Dime) It still does not change Haider's decision to conceal his location. I know you're worried, but he is safe.

"Tell me where he is, Dime! I'm running out of patience!" Heather continues to protest.

When no response comes, Heather lets out a singular menacing chuckle. "I wonder how many people would die if I fired off a Flower Cannon at full charge." She throws down a sprinkling of sunflower seeds onto the ground, accelerating and amplifying the plant's growth. The immature seedlings in its core begin charging an immense amount of mana, the petals curving around it to ready an intense beam of light into the direction of her rampage.

(Tia-Tia) Uh. I don't think she's joking, Dime!

(Dime) I'm calling her bluff.

(Tia-Tia) So you believe she won't murder thousands of people, because YOU won't tell her where her brother is?

The stem begins to shred and fracture as the flower continues to build up an explosive shot. 

(Tia-Tia) Look, I'm not about to have Heather become a fugitive because of you! Tell Christopher about this immediately! If you let this happen, it will destroy your Master's reputation in an instant.

(Dime) That won't happen.

(Tia-Tia) You're fucking insane! Fuck! 

Tia-Tia's efforts to alter Heather's thoughts fail in spectacular fashion. With Heather's resolve absolute, there is no changing her path of slaughter.

Heather's maniacal giggle only compounds the terror of those around her. The citizens of Geovana near her either flee or watch stunned with their will to survive fleeting. Even the pair of guards on their patrol route are either too afraid to stop her, or know that if they did, it would only cause more damage.

FIRE! She yells, commanding the plant to release its overwhelming might. However, with an anticlimactic and rather unexplosive aftermath. The flower's stone disintegrating beam ceases to do any damage; as in a blink of an eye, an infinite gravity space encompasses the plant just as it releases its blast. Everything above about halfway up the stem entirely eviscerated in an instant, way before ordinary people could see what happened.

Heather looks up with dumbfounded confusion on her face. "Why no boom?"

Heather glows a faint blue momentarily, her intense aura of mana vanishing with it. The two guards approach her with haste, their swords drawn at her.

"Hay!" one of them says. "You're under arrest for attempted terrorism!"

With an ugly expression of disgust, Heather slowly turns to question them. "I am a student at the Mage's College. How could I be a terrorist?"

Dime replies to her declaration with blood red font, their writing flickering with rage.

(Dime) Being a student means nothing. Not even your friendship with the Queen can save you from a cold cell. You are princess to the crown of Loreafan. Your stunt here could have irrevocably damaged His Majesty's reputation diplomatically. It was irresponsible and stupid. You have been banned from using or manipulating your mana outside of your studies. Let this be a lesson. His Majesty has already been notified of this, as well as The King of Maranus.

(Tia-Tia) Whew. That could have ended much worse. 

Dime turns his text towards the guards, Changing back to his usual white colour.

(Dime) I am Dime, the one that oversees all within The Dimensional Kingdom of Lorefan. Do not worry about her escaping or fighting back. I have taken measures to prevent her from doing so. If you would please take Princess Heather Longstaff into your custody, His Majesty King Shavik will see to her personally.

They glance down, reading the text. "I can't read." one says. "I can, so shut it." The other replies.

"Thank you Dime for putting the denizens first. You are a hero." The one that can read says.

(Dime) I only acted in His Majesty King Christopher Liard's best interest. I wouldn't have intervened if he so desired. All I ask is to place her within a mana sealing cell with all of the items on her as a precaution.

The guard who can read stands up straight. "Understood." Tying her arms together, they shove Heather forwards, pushing her towards the closest prison. 

(Tia-Tia) I kinda don't want to go into a cell. Or near one. Bad vibes.

(Dime) Go and find the Henrance Estate. It's a massive white mansion in the middle of the Noble District. Can't miss it.

(Tia-Tia) I'm still trying to remain secret y'know. Stop flashing me with your words.

It takes a few minutes, but Tia-Tia's glistening elegance spots the estate from afar, deep in the heart of the Noble District. Dust free, sprawling acres of beautiful gardens and mansions for a half mile from one side of the district to the other.

(Tia-Tia) Wow, the streets here are spotless. I smell the air of pompous assholes everywhere here; with their, smug rich persons laughs and their dozens of servants that follow them. I fucking hate nobles. Always so morally inept.

Swooping in on the presence of a crowd within the estate, Tia-Tia heads towards a white painted Gazebo with clay roof tiles adorning its ceiling. Red and white rose weaved trellis wrap around the open space above the railings, leaving just the entrance to bring in the majority of the light, and keeping it nice and private.

The sounds of graphite scratching paper can be heard as Tia-Tia swoops her view to see inside the structure. Haider sits within one of the two white metal seats separated by a small circular glass topped table. Behind and across from the white haired young man are two of King Christopher's elite force, The Battle Maids.

(Tia-Tia) Epic music! Explosions! Flashing lights! Title card! Duh-nuh-nuh Duh-nuh-nuh Dunna-dunna Duh-nuh-nuh Duh-nuh-nuh.

"Would you like some more tea, Your Highness?"

(Tia-Tia) Duh-nuh-nuh Duh-nuh-nuh Dunna-dunna Duh-nuh-nuh.

"Yes, thank you."

(Tia-Tia) Duh-nuh-nuh.

In all seriousness, Haider seems to be enjoying his runaway vacation, drawing outfit designs. A few pages have been scrumpled presumably with designs he deemed unfashionable on them.

As the maid pours the young prince's tea with grace and decorum, the other tending to him approaches, offering him some snacks upon a white fabric.

"Would you care for some sweets, Your Highness?" 

A slight redness adorns her face, and Haider is quick to notice. He looks down at her hands. In them are an assortment of lightly browned cookies, some with icing on top, others containing chocolate, and some with fun and fancy patterns.

Haider picks one that has a walnut atop of it, addressing her with a question. "I'm guessing you made these yourself?" She acknowledges his question with a bow. "They're very pretty." He admires. 

His comment forces an embarrassed look to adorn her features, attempting to resist his charms. "Thank you, Your Highness. There comes no greater honour to me."

He takes a bite, setting down the remainder of the cookie on the edge of his saucer. After chewing, Haider lifts the cup of tea to his lips, letting the liquid pour into his mouth. Setting it back down he says, "Not only are they tasty, they pair perfectly with the bitterness of the tea." tilting his head slightly in a satisfied sigh. "What bliss."

(Tia-Tia) Prince Haider, The Lady Killer, damn straight. 

The maid retreats as a third approaches with a guest, leaving the cookies on the table. As a new cup is being set in front of the empty seat. The new maid introduces his guest.

"Her Majesty, Queen Viridiana of The Dragon Kingdom of Maranus, has requested to speak with you, Your Highness." 

"Of course, please. Sit down and have a cup of tea." Haider says, gesturing to Viridiana to sit in the chair opposite to him. 

"Thank you. I promise not to take up too much of your time." says Queen Viridian gracefully lowering herself as a maid pushes her chair beneath her.

"The scales on your wings are practically glowing today, Your Majesty." Haider pampers.

"Oh honey, we are on friendly terms are we not? Drop the stuffy pretences and call me by my name." Viridian says, lifting the cup to her lips.

"As a prince of another country, I don't want to be rude." Haider replies, a cold sweat forming on his forehead.

Viridiana hurriedly plonks the cup into its saucer in intimidating annoyance. "Am I still really that frightening to you? Just call me Virdi, I won't hear another word of objection from you." she drinks from the cup once more, a furrow on her brow.

"Right, of course. I apologise, Virdi. What is it that brings you to me today?" Haider says, offering the royal to help herself with the maids' cookies.

"I am here on behalf of my husband on two matters." Viridiana says, picking up a cookie with a checkerboard pattern on it and taking a bite. "One was to tell you about how your sister has been put behind bars for attempted mass genocide." she waves the cookie in the air in a, 'I ain't gonna be seen.' type of gesture as she continues. "She got that way after her brain had a meltdown after Dime refused to tell her where you ran off too."

"I won't lie to you. I forgot about that entirely. I've just been designing a few outfits here while drinking tea." Haider sighs. "But now I remember, hopefully this will teach her a lesson. She's been awful to me lately. Much more than usual."

"I'm guessing something happened to bring you here then?" Viridiana says, trying to probe the information out of him.

"I don't mean to be rude. But I'd rather not talk about it. It's not very good of you to try and get gossip out of me." Haider says, finding the atmosphere has become a bit uncomfortable.

"I understand. On to the second matter that brings me to you today then." Haider adjusts himself in his seat, feeling the tension rise a few notches.

(Tia-Tia) The belt be getting tighter; any more and we might pass away from the pressure. Well, our delicate little gay man might.

(Nebulon) He's a lot stronger than you and Tari give him credit for.

(Tia-Tia) By the Gods! Grandpa! It's so great to finally get to talk to you. You've been quiet lately.

(Nebulon) I've been brewing some things. And I'm not just talking about the beer. 

(Tia-Tia) Oh grandpa, ha ha, you're so funny. But what the fu–.

(Nebulon) Gotta go! See ya bitches. I might be in the next volume. Who knows? Oh wait, I do! Not telling.

…

(Tia-Tia) yOU MOTHER FUCKER!

Viridiana pushes her tea to the side, locking her hands together upon the table. "The Demons are becoming much more aggressive against our eastern borders. So far the Sea Serpents have been keeping them at bay, but we have seen movements akin to previous assaults by a certain Demon General. One that hates a specific Nekojin in particular."

Haider's brow furrows. "So Sheogorath has finally made his move then?" 

"That would be the most likely case, yes." Viridana says, her expression firm and unchanging.

"So why come to me?" Haider questions.

"His Majesty feels that you, and Heather, are crucial to nipping this threat once and for all. For at least another hundred years at least. They are building strength at a rapid pace and our borders are beginning to crack under its weight." Viridiana says with poise and solidarity.

"What are you trying to tell me? You can't be weaving it around me." Haider exasperates, shaking his knee with annoyance.

"We are going to send out a missive to the college to train up the students there in preparation for conscripted military service. But you and Heather are a special case, being royalty of a separate kingdom." Viridiana says bluntly, pulling out a piece of paper, sliding it over to Haider.

"You want me and my sister's cooperation for military service? We are not suited for such a thing. Especially me." Haider counters.

"You'll be doing patrol drills to ease all those affected into it. And we promise to do everything in our power to protect you if the need arises."

Concern spreads itself upon Haider's face. "Does Christopher know you're trying this?" 

"Since this involves his family, he has likely known for a few hours. It's possible he intends to bring it up with my husband at the next UPS meeting."

"And you think he's going to allow it? That United Peace Summit, might not become so peaceful if you push him too hard." Haider states ominously.

"If that were to be the case. Then maybe we gave him too much credit for his intelligence. But we have contingencies for a reason. The fact this agreement between you and this kingdom hasn't been obliterated already probably, most likely means he doesn't intend on interfering. Even if he may have some strong opinions about it." 

(Dime) As long as the decision to sign this document remains solely their decision, I see no quarrel or blood spill between The Dragon Kingdom and The Dimensional Kingdom.

Haider nods his head, picking up his pencil with hesitation.

His wrist hangs on the edge of the table with anticipation.

The nerves make him purse his lips, and scrunch his chin.

The blood in his vein flowing faster against his possible sin.

With his mind affirmer,

And his backbone growing stronger.

He scribbles with vigour,

His name a signet on the paper.