"Cheers!" Lord Almeno raised his glass in the air, "To a job well done, I didn't think we'd be able to but we made it boys!"

A letter had been delivered to the diplomats, signed and sealed of the king's intentions. The diplomatic mission was a success. Until the last moment Traea and Proteus were still on edge wondering if the mad king would remember his promise but they both relaxed now.

Everyone raised their glasses in the toast and cheered.

"It's too bad Admentus isn't here." Proteus said.

Hadid laughed, "Don't worry your majesty I'm sure he's having a fine time with his crew, far away from this palace."

Proteus grinned and clinked glasses with the first lieutenant, "To a job well done Hadid."

Hadid nodded solemnly, "Thank you your majesty."

They were throwing a party in the Prince's quarters. All the soldiers were gathered and all the diplomats and they were all happy to be going home tomorrow.

Proteus was busy goofing off with the soldiers, and he laughed loudly at one of their jokes. Traea meanwhile was drawn over to the diplomats who were knee deep in some serious conversation.

"What I'm trying to say is that we simply don't know…" One of the diplomats argued, he was a lanky man with a large nose.

"What's going on over here?" Traea asked stepping into the edges of the circle they had formed.

"Oh Traea perfect!" Lord Almeno said with a grin, "Traea are you an absolutist or a relativist?"

"Oh no. Not this again." A shorter diplomat said, he had a bit of a belly, but a wonderfully rich voice.

"Come on Marlos it's a valid question."

"It's a red herring!"

"I have to agree." The last diplomat said, his name was Lecities.

"So which are you Traea?" Almeno ignored all of them.

Traea was leaning on the back of a chair and she smiled, "I'm not answering that trick question." Traea said.

"It's a real question." Almeno huffed.

Traea laughed, "Either I'm a relativist and I say all things should be relative, which is inherently contradictory; or I say I'm an absolutist, in which I say all things must be absolute which allows for only one truth, which is impossible to defend. So I'm declining to answer." Traea said. "You tricky old man."

The other diplomats appreciated the general's answer and grinned.

Almeno laughed, "You're much too smart to be a general Traea."

Traea grinned, "Should I be an academic instead and argue with people everyday? I don't think so." She winked at the group of diplomats, "I'll leave that to you."

Proteus slapped his hand down on both Traea's and Almeno's shoulders, "Come on guys, don't be so closed off, join the party!"

The soldiers behind him shouted, "You're the only one making this a party your highness!"

Proteus turned around and pouted, "I like parties, what's wrong with that?"

Traea chuckled, "Are we all sitting on the floor Proteus?"

"Yeah! Come on guys!" He said excitedly to the other men.

They all obliged and followed the prince to floor.

Traea pulled over a chair, "Here Almeno you can sit in a chair cause you're old."

Everyone laughed at the old academic's expense.

He huffed and sat in the chair with all the dignity he could muster.

Proteus sat contentedly on the ground just in front of the couch, a soldier on his left and a diplomat on his right. He laughed sitting with his legs crossed. Lord Almeno was giving Traea a lecture on respecting her elders and she took it in good fun.

"I hear that you guys are growing out your hair." Proteus said his eyes twinkling.

Nearly all the soldiers turned red. Hadid didn't but that was because he was as bald as an egg.

"What? No… Did Traea tell you?" Rip asked covering his blonde hair self-consciously.

Proteus laughed, "I'm flattered really, I didn't know I had fans."

"Traea!" Rip complained red staining the tips of his ears. "You told him?"

"Of course I told him. He's the only one who can put a stop to it." Traea said.

Half the soldiers looked aghast. The diplomats laughed.

Proteus grinned, "You'd look better with long hair than I do Rip."

"That's not true your majesty!" Rip, Mon, Jin, and Raphael exclaimed.

"Of course you would, yours is a nice gold mine's only brown."

"Brown is a beautiful color!" The soldiers insisted.

"Either way, maybe you should listen to Traea and cut your hair. She is your general after all."

"We don't care about that." They said, "She's no fun about it."

"She's your general." Proteus repeated, "she knows better about some things."

The soldiers looked at the ground.

Traea saw them pouting, "Did you tell them to cut their hair for me Proteus?" Traea asked, "That's great! Ask them to take a bath twice a day and fold their stockings too!" She scoot in closer, "Finally my absolute reign of power will begin!" She got on one knee, "My word will be absolute! With the prince by my side I will finally get everything I've wanted! And we can get Arabian horses guys!"

The soldiers laughed and tugged on Traea's braid, "She knows better? I wouldn't be too sure of that Proteus."

Proteus watched Traea's silly antics.

"Well if she says it's alright."

Traea nodded solemly, "It doesn't matter too much if they have long hair, but Proteus I think it may be time to do something about yours."

Protesu smiled, "Why is that?"

"You need to set a good example for them." Traea motioned to the soldiers.

Proteus laughed, "Maybe soon, if everyone's so adamant about it."

"Ooooooh." Everyone said.

"Who do you think looks best with long hair Traea?" Rip asked.

Traea pointed, "Hadid."

Even the diplomats burst out laughing and Hadid threw back his imaginary long hair. "We all know that's true."

"Why do you hate the hair Traea?" Verrii asked, "You have long hair."

"Only by necessity." Traea said relaxing, "I used to have short hair, but it just made me look like a mushroom head," She indicated the shape with her hands. "And if it's longer I can tie it."

"That's boring."

Traea grinned, "I'm secretly a boring person."

Proteus turned to lord Almeno, "How about you Lord Almeno?"

"My opinions on hair?" Lord Almeno raised an eyebrow. "Well the history of hair style is an interesting one, it often has to do with the stylistic leanings of the culture…"

"Booooo!" Some of the young soldiers said, albeit politely.

Lord Almeno huffed, "ruffians. Well to say it simply-"

The group clapped.

"- I don't particularly care since trends change." He glared at his audience.

Proteus grinned, "Who wants another round?" He raised his glass.

Everyone cheered.

"I say Proteus." Argon said raising his hand.

"Proteus."

"Definitely Proteus." Lecities said.

"How about you Traea?"

"I'll say… Rip." She said with a grin.

Rip grinned, "That's so nice Traea."

"I got you kiddo." She winked.

Almeno raised his hand, "I think Proteus still takes it."

Everyone nodded.

"Proteus you've been voted best looking person in this delegation." Almeno declared, "How does that make you feel?"

Proteus grinned, "I'm honored. I'll be sure to treasure this great title you've bestowed me."

Everyone cheered.

"You're a prince and hot! How is that fair?" Helvid hiccupped.

The prince made sure the drunk soldier didn't fall, "I'll return my face if that'll make you feel better."

"No! No! It's a national treasure! You can't do that!" Helvid said with panic.

"Thanks for voting for me Traea." Rip said sweetly.

"You spoil him too much Traea." Mon said jealously.

Traea smiled, "You all have wonderful features."

"Even Calcim?" Calcim looked up with his broken nose and slightly lopsided mouth.

"Especially Calcim." Traea said.

"You're a liar." Mon said and Calcim smacked him.

Traea smiled, "Are you sad I didn't say you?" She asked.

Mon pouted, "Maybe."

She laughed and tugged his nose, "You have a great face shape Mon and beautiful eyes. You'll get all the ladies."

Mon rubbed his nose trying to hide his smile.

"Traea!" Marlos said from across the circle, he was the one with a wonderful voice.

"Yes?"

"We haven't gotten to yell at you yet for fighting general Phaon."

"Shit. I forgot about that."

"I know." Marlos said, "You almost killed Kam." He pointed to the lanky one.

Traea rubbed her head, "Sorry."

The diplomats laughed.

"One of these days you'll get better at negotiations." Kam said.

"It's been six years." Licities said, "I hope it doesn't take too much longer."

"I'm working on it." Traea said sheepishly.

"It was really cool though when you locked hilts with him." Rip said eager to defend his general.

"Yeah! You totally just popped him off his feet." Jin said, "He's such a big guy I thought he'd over power you."

"Remember what she taught you about leverage?" Hadid reminded Jin patiently.

"Ohhhh, right."

"Well I was very impressed." Proteus said, "That was my first time seeing you fight."

Marin hung onto Traea's arm, "Oh, you haven't seen anything yet, you know we get people from all over who want to learn from Traea."

"Yeah! She's amazing! She's famous thorough the twelve cities. She has a two sword technique that-"

"Check this out!" Quorun flipped Argon over his shoulder, "She taught us that!"

Traea put a stop to her soldiers before things got out of hand, "I think he gets the point guys."

"You believe us don't you Proteus? No one believes us." They said pleading with him.

"I do." Proteus nodded hastily, "I'm very excited to work with Traea now."

"That's an interesting point." Marlos said, "How have you not met Traea before?"

"Yeah, she's a general you're a prince, it's not like there's a lot of other people at such high-ranking positions." Kam noted.

Proteus paused, "I'm actually not really sure, you'd think we'd run into each other at least once before now wouldn't you?"

Traea raised a hand, "Well, actually it's not too hard to believe, "I've been out touring for most of my career. And while I was studying I doubt Proteus would've had a reason to talk to me."

"Proteus would've talked to you whether he had a reason to or not." Almeno smirked.

Traea shrugged, "I also report directly to the king. You don't have much of a hand in military matters yet do you?"

Proteus shook his head, "Not yet."

"Not that you need to, there's not much in terms of military matters that need attending." Kam said

"True enough." Proteus nodded, "No offense."

"None taken." Traea said raising a hand and then leaning back again, "We do just as much construction as we fight nowadays."

"That's right. You've done some great civil service work recently, or so I'm told." Leities said.

Verrii had fallen asleep leaning against Traea, "Being in the army isn't all blood and glory." Traea smiled, "Half of us are trained engineers and the other half are civil experts. Hadid over here is our resident expert on bridges and roads."

Hadid nodded.

"I'm the irrigation master." Rip said.

"That's amazing." Proteus was impressed.

"Often times armies are seen as just destructive, I think it's important that we be able to build things too." Traea said.

"That's a good thought, but it's not always viable is it?" Kam said.

Traea grimaced, "You've got me there. That's why there's so few of us." She waved to her soldiers, "It takes a lot of time to train these knuckle heads. Somor is particularly against it."

"Ah well, that's Somor for you." Lecities leaned back. "You guys are always butting heads. Is there anything you agree on?"

"He's stubborn. And I admit that our approaches are different;" Traea made sure Verrii wouldn't fall, "however our end goals are the same and we agree on many things outside of our profession." Traea smiled.

"You guys actually agree on things?" Calcim asked incredulous.

"Sure, about food, and style, lots of things."

"I thought you hated him." Mon said.

"Why would I hate him? He is a very kind man, he possesses great character."

"Well yeah but…"

"I promise I don't dislike him as much as it appears." She assured them.

"Are you also an engineer Traea?" Proteus asked.

"Not really no." Traea smiled, "I leave the complex stuff to Hadid."

"She got me the training." He leaned in.

"You worked hard." Traea replied, "I just tell him where I want things. It's fantastic, I point and then the next day there's a bridge." She grinned.

Proteus leaned over and pat Hadid on the back knowing how difficult his job was. "So what are you an expert on then Traea?"

Traea thought for a moment and then shrugged, "I haven't decided yet."

"That's because she's good at everything!" Jin said vehemently.

Traea pulled him down, "No, Jin."

Jin struggled while Traea wrapped him in a blanket to keep him from talking.

"Don't be embarrassed Traea, Proteus here is good at everything too." Lord Almeno said.

"You flatter me Lord Almeno. But that's not true."

"Be honest Proteus, you have yet to find something you can't do."

"I haven't tried that many things." Proteus replied.

Jin freed himself of the blanket, "Traea… Let me brag for you."

"Don't be silly." She turned to Hadid, "Why don't you take the boys to bed. It's getting late."

Everyone whined, "I don't want to go…"

"It's fine if they want to stay." Proteus said. We're leaving tomorrow anyways."

"That's right! We're celebrating!" Kam said. "I need to drink at least twice this much to forget my trauma!" He said loudly, "Trauma you caused Traea!" He pointed at Traea.

"Well then I'll be happy to pour you a glass." Traea laughed.

"Do we have any food?" Verrii asked having woken up bleary eyed.

"I'll go find some," Raphael volunteered and half the soldiers got up and followed him.

"They're always hungry." Traea sighed. "Feeding them is such a hassle."

"You guys are self-sustaining on the road aren't you?"

Traea nodded, "Yeah, for the most part. But they could eat the whole Mediterranean and still be hungry."

They all turned to the soldiers who left.

"I can't wait till I get back." Marlos sighed, "These Thracian diplomats are too much."

The conversation had turned to diplomacy and Traea got up to get some fresh air on the balcony. She breathed in the night air and heard Proteus follow her.

He stopped beside her and looked out to the view. It wasn't bad.

"Your balcony is better." Traea smiled.

Proteus chuckled, "You think so?"

"I know so." Traea leaned on the railing, "I hope Machan is getting some sleep."

"I'm sorry you had to leave him." Proteus said.

Traea shook her head, "He wouldn't have liked this trip, he's not one for palaces."

Proteus nodded, "He probably misses you too."

Traea laughed, "he's definitely living it up, the guys spoil him and he's always chubby when I come back."

"He's very good at begging." Proteus acknowledged.

Traea peeked at the Prince, "Hey Proteus, about six years ago I…"

"You don't have to tell me." Proteus said gently, "I trust you enough to know you would never do anything to dishonor Syracuse."

He's too nice.

"You've only known me for a week." Traea said with a smirk.

Proteus sighed, "And yet I feel like I've known you forever." He gestured to her soldiers, "They told me stories."

"They did? I told them not to bother you." Traea sighed.

"You've rubbed off on them, they really are very well trained." Proteus said, "Well done Traea."

"I can't take all the credit, they're good men." She said proud of her soldiers.

"And you are a good general." Proteus said, "I want you to know that you are appreciated for your work."

Traea was a little taken aback by the prince's forthright compliment, it actually meant a lot coming from him.

"Thank you, your highness. I hope I can continue to be of service." She said.

Proteus raised an eyebrow, "What's with the formality?" He asked.

She looked at the ground, "Sorry. I'm not really sure what to say. No one's told me that before."

Proteus looked a bit sad and then scratched his chin looking away, "Well, I'll say it more from now on."

"That's not what I meant." Traea said.

"Sorry, I mean. I don't know what I mean." Proteus sighed. "But I meant it…" He looked up at the heavens, "I think you've twisted my tongue into knots Traea."

Traea laughed. "I'm honored. Really. And I appreciate all the work you do for us." She bowed, "You are truly a prince I am happy to serve."

Proteus smiled, "Can I tell you a secret?"

Traea lifted her head and nodded.

"I hate it when people bow to me." He said, "I can't see their faces."

Traea blinked.

"It's terribly awkward." He frowned, "and just seems rude."

Traea grinned, "I understand."

The soldiers had returned with food and Proteus and Traea rejoined the party.

"Traea! I got rejected!" Carim cried. He hugged the general in tears.

Traea rubbed his back, "Oh, it's okay Carim." She looked at Hadid, "what happened?" she mouthed.

"Carim asked a maid to show him around the other day."

Rip laughed, "And he got flat out rejected!" He motioned emphatically, "It was hilarious!"

"It's not funny!" Carim said crying into Traea's shoulder.

She put him on the ground, "You're right it's not." She gave Rip a look, "It's okay Carim there's plenty of fish in the sea."

"But I don't want fish!" Carim cried.

Mo also hugged Traea, "Traea! I got rejected too!" The big man should have crushed the general with his weight but she easily held both of them up.

"You guys are so sweet." She said soothingly. "Here eat a grape and feel better."

The men obediently started eating grapes while sobbing a bit.

Soon though, with all the wine and food everyone got sleepy.

Traea eventually got her soldiers to go to bed and the lot staggered off followed by the diplomats. Lord Almeno got assistance from Hadid back to his room.

Traea was the last to leave. She stopped just outside his door and nodded, "Good night."

"Good night." Proteus said politely.

Traea looked past Proteus to his balcony, "It looks empty now."

He turned around following her eyes and his head dipped in recognition, "I'll be leaving tomorrow so it doesn't matter. Did you forget anything?"

She shook her head, "No. Good night Proteus."

Proteus smiled and closed the door.