Current moved closer, and rested a hand on Krondor's left shoulder. "...If I may ask, sir, when do you plan on telling us about your past?"
"Classified," the Grovyle replied, gazing briefly at Snapdragon, then turning away. "Who I was is of no concern to anybody on the team," he added, closing his eyes.
Snapdragon kept his jaws shut, even as Current's gaze met his. The Haxorus knew what Krondor's past had been like, and kept it secret, out of respect for an old friend. "I know nothing more then you do, Current. You know that already," he growled.
The tavern was noisy. Several voices clamored together from all over, drowning each other out in the process.
A special section of the tavern was reserved solely for higher class inhabitants, and was closed off to allow privacy. A lone Grovyle sat by himself with his open notebook. Its contents mostly consisted of various written entries, quotes challenging his worldview, insightful conversations he had held with others, and, on occasion, his inner thoughts.
He smiled to himself. His recent meeting with a world-famous philosopher, Quinton, was one of the most enjoyable conversations he'd ever had. It was still fresh in his mind, and he was intent on securing the memory so he could read it later.
"There you are, my son," a Sceptile spoke as he walked towards the table, interrupting what Grovyle was about to start sketching. "I've been looking all over for you."
The two exchanged glances. The younger lizard's face held disdain for the caped figure in front of him and he set his feathered pen down. To say the two didn't exactly see eye-to-eye was a bit of an understatement. The two have had many arguments. Typical for a teenager and parent, but their case was a little abnormal.
The teenage Grovyle sighed, his eyes glued to the blank page. "What is it this time, father? You know I've no interest in your political affairs."
"Noted," Sceptile replied flatly. "But you are my heir, Andramintus. You can't just avoid the throne forever."
"Well, unfortunately for you," Andramintus countered, shaking his head, "not everyone is satisfied with the role they are given."
A Sylveon entered the room and approached them, tearing his eyes from the book. "Can I get either of you something to drink?"
A long, uncomfortable silence fell. The incomplete conversation with Andramintus and his father left tension in the air, but neither dared say anything with the arrival of their "guest".
"I'll have my usual Ginseng tea, Wilhelm," Andramintus finally replied, breaking the silence.
"Spiced apple ale for me," the Sceptile added firmly, indirectly telling his son he didn't plan to leave anytime soon.
Half an hour passed. Neither male Pokemon said anything to one another. The silence was wildly uncomfortable, but what could be said? Andramintus made his intentions clear, and his father, Reynold, made his clear as well.
Andramintus found the other's presence as amusing as he did frustrating. Would his father seriously be alright with "disagreeing" (because saying arguing sounds bad for a royal) in a public place? So many eager ears could hear them. Is that why he wasn't saying anything?
Heh. Almost felt like he was challenging the old man. First to speak announces their presence in this tavern and loses.
"So, my son, what do you plan on doing with your life?"
Andramintus could barely contain his smile. 'I win again, old man.'
"I wish to make a difference for future generations," he replied. "To make the world a more enjoyable place to live in."
"What a pathetic dream," Reynold scoffed. "Nothing can be done about those untamable wilds. They will never know any different."
"We were all wild at one point, dad. I believe they can change. It's just not easy to do at this point-..."
He paused as his father slammed a hand down on the table. "This is unacceptable! I will not allow this, Andramintus!"
He shook his head and sighed. Stubborn as always. "It's not your decision anymore, I'm afraid."
He stood up and grabbed both his notebook and feathered pen off the table. "I'm going on a walk. Don't bother following me."
Reynold watched with dread as Andramintus walked away. Afterwards, it was his turn to sigh. Perhaps he'd gone too far...
Andramintus smiled softly after reaching the docks at a local port. The ocean always had a calming effect on him, even when he was having a rough time. Even better was seeing the sunset turn the sea golden. It was a simple view, but it was one that the Grovyle would always treasure.
Part of him found it funny. He lived a life of riches and nobility, but this gold is what made him the happiest. Not his father's flaunted wealth. Not the fancy abode they resided. Natural, golden beauty.
Was it so wrong for a royal to enjoy the little things?
He turned his gaze towards an inbound ship, and figured it wouldn't hurt to ask for passage off this Arceus-forsaken island. At the very least, he'd be able to make a new life for himself and leave his old one behind.
The ship docked after several long moments. Luckily, it could easily hold an extra passenger despite its primitive design.
While the crew was busy unloading the cargo, Andramintus approached the captain, an Empoleon that was easily twice his age.
"Greetings, sir. Is it at all possible to obtain passage off the island on your ship?" Andramintus inquired, trying to strike the perfect balance between proper and commoner.
"Only if you are capable of helping out the rest of the crew during your passage across the sea," the captain replied, giving him a cold gaze. "Otherwise, you can forget about it."
"And what would you have me do?" Andramintus asked, perhaps a little too eagerly.
"Hm. Well, I suppose you could help with the sails when needed. We lost one of our own last week, and haven't been able to find a replacement. Until then, you can have the job. My lead crewmember, Current, will show you what to do when the time comes."
Andramintus simply nodded in reply, ready to board when needed. For the time being, though, he walked towards the local town to visit the marketplace, and take a look around.
He browsed each stall carefully, noting that many of them didn't have anything really worth getting - most of it was just food, and he had no particular desire for any of it at the moment. Surely the ship had its own provisions.
With each disappointing stall, a sense of dread crept up his spine. Part of him was hoping he could have something to remember this place by, but all he found was food, food, and more food. Didn't the market have any keepsakes for sale? No? Just food?
He approached the last stall, but to his dismay...you guessed it. Food.
Andramintus mentally threw his hands in the air in defeat before deciding to return to the docks. If the place wasn't going to offer him anything to remember it by, his time was better spent elsewhere.
As he walked back towards the ship, he wondered how he was going to keep his notebook safe. It didn't have anything too personal or risky, but he didn't want anyone to find out who he was - or had previously been - so he would either have to leave it behind, or entrust one of the crew members with it and hope they didn't become too curious.
Oooh...he didn't like that idea. Not one bit. He only met the captain a few minutes ago and hadn't been introduced to the rest yet. How was he supposed to know who he could trust and who he couldn't?
Still, he didn't have a lot of time to think about it. He had to make a choice since they were going to be leaving soon. Trust the crew? Leave the book behind?
Ugh, he really should've thought this through. When he woke up this morning and decided to bring the book with him, he hadn't anticipated this situation. Had he known the opportunity was going to present itself, he would've left it behind.
In the wake of his carelessness, he decided to bring the book with him. Not like he would've had enough time to run it home anyway. Not with guards, advisers, and his family lurking around every corner. All the more reason he wanted to leave this place.
When the time came, he boarded the ship and set sail with the rest of the crew. Despite the uncertainty, he felt good. Relieved. Reassured that he made the right decision.
Goodbye home island and old life. Hello, endless possibilities, the Grovyle thought smugly, staring out into the horizon, and the vast miles of ocean all around. He held his book securely under his arm, and went below deck after a while of staring out into the ocean.