Part 3: guests from afar
This was the sun-cycle the ambassador from the mystic valley arrived with his Seto was practically beside himself with eagerness. If he were in his four-footed form his tail would be waving about like a banner.
Among Inu, their bestial form was by far the most powerful and gave greater access to their magic, for this reason, it was considered their 'natural' form. But for most practical aspects of daily life, the humanoid form was preferable as it was generally more compact and came with a set of opposable thumbs. And so that was the form the royal family of the western realm adopted to welcome their guests.
The Centra Draconis, like their Inu-yōkai hosts, possessed two physical forms. Unlike he Inu, both of the Centra's forms were humanoid in nature. Their primary form appears almost indistinguishable from your run-of-the-mill human. This was their preferred form for use while traveling beyond their own walled cities.
Seto had all he could do to keep himself from snorting at their round-eared visages. Inu no Tashou patently explained this was a type of camouflage. It was in their best interests to appear nonthreatening and innocuous.
When the ambassador and his retinue stepped forward in greeting they designed to shift into their Yōkai forms, and the young prince, along with most of the assembled throng was surprised to see the visitors release their magical energies in a flash of brilliance to reveal their stunning white wings.
The golden-eyed Inu prince was quick to pick out the ambassador's daughter who was to be his responsibility. The Girl-child had dark hair and eyes common enough to be unremarkable in human form. Her revealed form, was slightly more pleasing, with suitably pointed ears and long flowing hair, was dark as the sky with a violet sheen seemed to shimmer with starlight and her eyes deep midnight blue. The only yōkai sigils she possessed to indicate her power level were two small violet circles marking her brow.
Seto had been born with the crescent-moon mark on his forehead but the magenta slash marks on his forearms had only become prominent on the eve of his last nameday. The Inu Prince hoped he would develop distinctive cheek stripes like his father's as he grew in power. Everyone said the stripes gave the Lord his rakish appeal, while Seto's lunar sigil practically branded him cold and aloof, like his lady mother.
Master Totosai bowed to the newcomers and acted as a herald to announce the royal family "Lord Akita Toga, Inu no Taishou and Her Ladyship Saluki, Inu Xi Wangmu and of course our own Setomaru no Koinu Ouji."
Seto stiffened at being referred to as a 'the royal pup' in the hearing of anyone other than family, the affront was much graver before important guests. But the crusty sword smith was one of his father's closest retainers meaning there wasn't much the prince could say about it.
The only one closer to the Royal family was Myoga and he was a bit too close for comfort more often than not. The prince scratched idly at a red mark on his arm where the irritating flea yōkai had bitten him when he was being less than attentive. Seto was still a bit miffed at his minuscule tutor because of it.
Having been lost in his thoughts Setomaru had missed the ambassador's introduction along with that of his retainers. The young Inu prince supposed it didn't matter as he didn't really care to know their names, and his father had already told him the female he was to look after was called Sora. After the formalities were out of the way the eight adult Centra folded their wings back and in a flash of light and a scattering of feathers all trace of their yōkai heritage vanished.
He went to present himself to the only girl child in the party. "This Setomaru gives you his greetings." He graced her with a formal bow.
"So, what kind of name is Setomaru?" the Centra girl asked.
"It is my own and none other." Seto announced raising one arched brow and tilting his head to one side; then explained, "Seto means 'doorway' or 'gateway' and the suffix Maru is given to nobility and represents the perfection that is the circle of life. 'Sora' means sky does it not? Rather fitting for a flighted yōkai."
"I can't fly yet." She sulked a bit at the admission. "Papa said it wouldn't be too long now but waiting is hard."
"Yes," the Inu prince relaxed as the adults moved out of hearing. "I expect it is. I have already attained my bestial form but I would LOVE to be able to fly. To catch a cloud must be the most amazing thing ever. But…" he shrugged, "dogs cannot fly."
"Maybe not on their own…but you could with help. The others carry me all the time. I'll bet I could carry you given a chance."
"I'm as big as you. I doubt you are strong enough…and as you said, you can't fly yet." Seto pointed out not wanting to get his hopes up.
"You seem a useful sort of boy and your aura is strong." Sora tapped her lip with her forefinger in thought. "I'll bet we can come up with something together."
Author note: Sora is not an OC she is borrowed from the Escaflowne universe with a bit of backstory incorporated from Final Fantasy VII. I know things start off a bit slow but there is much more to come- I hope you enjoy it, please review.