Lily looked at the short, black haired woman dressed in men's breeches and a strangely stiff looking jacket top. She seemed positively jovial, even pleased to meet the indifferent looking elf woman, doing her best to appear indifferent and unaffected. ...([color=ed145b]'She look like she like a good joke, at leas'.'[/color]).. she whispered to her sister, before her thoughts took a terrible spiraling turn. --Not like our brother That was the thought that set it off like a powder keg. How their older brother, so caught up in connecting the dots between how every tiny action affected the outcomes of everything else, that he seemed completely impervious to fun--Even to the point of being preachy about how they needed to be more mindful... That angry and tired face of his, every time they pulled a prank on Pine, and he found out... She wondered if she would ever see it again. Her heart sank, and she clutched Rose's paw tighter. ....([color=f7941d]'you's thinkin' 'bout 'im, ain't yas?'[/color]).... was the whispered reply. ..([color=ed145b]'yeah...'[/color]) was all she managed to get out, before the emotions overwhelmed her. "[color=6ecff6]Pardon me, young ladies.[/color]" came a soft, and polite voice they did not know. It was a smartly dressed young man-- Boyishly handsome-- The thought that maybe he wouldn't make that bad of a dad, "with a little work" flashed through her mind then vanished like a cloud of smoke, replaced by the return of the despair and melancholia over her brother's abduction. "[color=6ecff6]I am prince Alec, Lord of Rascade, and heir to the throne of Kindeance; But please, call me Alec. It's what your brother did."[/color] [color=f7941d]"You know Cedah?"[/color] asked Rose, confusedly. She herself, was curious how this young man could possibly know their brother. [color=6ecff6] "I do. He, and half of the people out there, saved my life last fall. Your brother is a fearless, and kind creature. He opened my eyes to see beyond first appearances. At the time, I did not know the fullness of his contribution to my rescue. I have... Come to know much.. Since."[/color] The two just stared at him, equal parts incredulity, and wonder. The man continued-- [color=6ecff6]"Every moment I was with him, he seemed to want nothing more than to protect me, and to make me feel at ease. Certain things that did not make it into the official reports, were learned after. I have come to understand that he is a kind, and gentle soul. My father is a fine judge of character, and he esteems your brother highly. It disturbed him greatly when he refused his offer to live here with us, at the castle."[/color] Two sets of brown eyes about bulged out of their respective heads, as two hands clutched tighter. [color=6ecff6] "Master Steinwell tells me of you; Tells me ... you care for your brother deeply. Understand, you are not alone in this matter. As I said, my father is a fine judge of character. He has selected all of these people to help you, and our kingdom. He passionately believes your brother will aid in this second task, once he knows of it, and what is at stake. As I said, he has worked with half of them before. He asks that you join him. I believe him. So should you."[/color] The man then gently placed a hand on each of their shoulders, nodded, then straightened, and returned to the far end of the room behind the handsome man, still sitting at his desk. There was a wordless exchange. A glance. A nod between the two, then both returned to their surveillance of the room, as though nothing had happened.