Chapter 3 - The boredom of the throne.

Having slept in the entire morning, it was now afternoon. "Tal... Tal are you awake?"

Half-asleep he mumbles, "Yes, Ailish.. my love." A sound of surprise and then a loud laugh with a strong accent.

Tal jumps up, "E- Elco?" Elco chuckles, "Yes, Tal. My luuuv?" Tal frowns, "Funny, Elco." He gives in and laughs a little bit as well. "What are you doing here so early, Elco?" Elco blinks, and adjusts his new glasses since he looked akward when the merging took away his old ones. "Early? Tal, it is 3 in the afternoon." Tal blinks, "Whoa, really?" Elco shakes his head, "Yes. Really. What were you up to all last night?" Tal looks at his friend a bit anxious to tell him about the wonderful night that he had. "Elco, it was so-... Nevermind. I shouldn't talk about it." Elco raises an eyebrow, "Ok, Tal. Now have me intriuged. Curiosity is in my nature. I am a scientist after all."

Tal looks at his friend, wanting to tell him everything. But, not wanting to lose Ailish's trust. "Well, you have to promise me not to tell a soul."

Elco looks at Tal and says sincerly, "I promise. Now tell me." Tal looks at Elco and goes to lock his door. "Ok, Ailish and I... love eachother. And, last night we.. made love." Elco looks at Tal a bit amused, "Oh, ho ho. So now you and Ailish are..?" Tal nods. "Yep." Elco chuckles a bit more, "Well, I knew that you two had a thing for eachother.."

Tal rubs the back of his head, "Yeah. But, the thing is.. Ailish could be pregnant.. I-" Elco cuts Tal off, "Tal.. you didn't.. Tal, you bonehead. Always thinking with your boner."

Tal, laughs a bit nervously, "Yeah. We thought of a plan though. So, it should all work out." Elco looks at Tal, "For your sake, I hope that it does." Tal nods slowly, "Thanks."

Elco looks at him, "Yes, what I came here for was to ask if you wanted to join me at the tavern. Nothing there but drunken guards, not the best company. No offense, I know that you too are a guard, but.. you know." Tal nods, "None taken, pal. I know what you mean. Let me go take a bath in and I'll meet you there." Elco nods, "Ok, Tal." He waves and walks out. Tal grabs some regular clothing, similar to the home made armor Kazel once wore. He goes down to the bathing room and cleans up.

"Ailish, you smell of sweat.. and odd scents. Were you under attack last night?" Buki asks, her voice full of tension worried about the girl she promised to protect.

Ailish blinks, and then giggles a bit.. "No, Buki. I am alright.. I just had a.. little talk with Tal last night. That is all." Buki eyes the girl in suspicion, "Hm, something tells me that talking isn't the only thing that went on." Ailish blushes slightly, and talks innocently, "Buki! What do you mean? We... just had an exchange of words."

Buki, shakes her head, "And, fluids.. if my nose serves me correctly. Either way, I won't force you to tell me. I can guess. I just came here to tell you that I'm leaving."

"So soon? Oh, Buki. Well, I know that you're returning to Shadani Mo. I'd offer you a permanent room here at the castle, but I know that you will not stay. When will you be back to visit?" Ailish turns toward the anthropomorphic girl.

Buki looks back at Ailish, "Perhaps, one day.. I will take you up on your offer. When the little one arrives. For now, I will return to Shadani-Mo. When you wish to visit, you are always welcome. May Mo watch over and protect you until I return."

Ailish runs up and hugs the girl, a bit saddened. Buki returns the hug, gently rubbing her on the back. "Well, I should get going now. Tell, Elco and Tal that they are welcome to visit the village as well.. And, that I will miss all of you, my friends. Farewell for now." Buki walks out of the castle gate and heads towards the countryside.

Ailish sighs, saying softly to herself, "Goodbye... Buki." Ailish goes down into the courtroom, with Yemi and Tilly by her side as always. She takes her seat on the throne and listens to the wants, and reports of Sudeki society. This was one of the tasks of queen that she loathes. Even when she was only princess she hated having to attend them. Now she was forced to listen and give approval or rejection. After 20 farmers had their say about unfair taxes in their opinion and Ailish used the same answer repeatedly to each one, she sighed and looked over at Yemi and Tilly. She wondered how the girls had not fallen asleep on their toes. All of this whining was boring her to tears. Next up was a few esquires' ass-kissing in hopes of knighthood. Ailish sighed deeply and thought to herself, "Oh, the joys of being queen. I wonder what Tal is doing..."

"Woo! Elco, I'm surprised. You can really knock 'em back." Tal says enthusiastically as the rest of the guards at Coop's Tavern cheer on Elco, downing his 19th tankard of ale in less than a half hour. Elco grins, "Well, Tal. Is it really a surprise? Back at the Rusty Cog, I drank Transcentian ale none stop for weeks on end. After my accident.. it helped me cope, until Tilly brightened my life. And, whoa-o.. let me tell you. The ale there really gets you tipsy. And, tastes oddly of motor oil..."

Tal nods slightly, "Well, whatever the reason. You're top dog at chugging ale, Elco. That's for sure." Elco laughs a bit, "Yes, well I'd be in the doghouse if Tilly were to catch me drinking so heavily." Tal laughs, and pats Elco on the back. Tal looks around the crowded tavern and observes numerous drinking challenges going on, as well as a table in the corner near the bar counter with his father asleep on it. Tal shakes his head and looks back at Elco. He resumes cheering on his friend, with the other guards. Elco stops on his 31st tankard, the crowd of guards goes silent as the scientist finally speaks after the akward silence, "Oooh, I don't feel so good. Excuse me, Tal."

Elco runs off towards the restroom. Tal shakes his head compassionately as he watches his friend run off. The guards shrug and then go to another table and chant on a competitor. Tal orders a glass of luster's wine, not caring that he has a huge stash of booze in his bedroom anyway from his travels. Sipping his drink slowly Tal begins to have mental fantasies about Ailish. One of his daily routines. Although this wasn't one that left him debilitated, like his night time practices.

Ailish sat there, bored stiff. Yawning as a habit now. Although, she had absolute dominion over the complete world now rightfully dubbed Sudeki, her new title made her miss the stolen freedom of her old one. As well as, the ability to travel. Perhaps towards the end of the month, she'd get Tal and Elco to escort her to Shadani Mo. And, perhaps if she plotted correctly, she could get Buki to join the boys and herself on their vacation in Transcentia. However, now being Queen.. she will not have much time to stay away from the castle. Eventhough, she loved the swank that came along the title, as well as being able to show off her discreet ability to those in the courtroom, Ailish still longed for more. Perhaps she could make Yemi and Tilly Duchesses of some sort, and let them take care of royal matters when she goes on vacation. She'd look into it later. Right now, she can't stop herself from thinking about Tal. "His handsome face.. those firm abs, his large..-" She snapped herself out of it when she realised that an esquire had finished boasting and was waiting for a response because he kept saying, "Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness?" like a broken record.

Ailish fakes a smile and looks down at him from her throne, "Could you please repeat that?" she asks regretfully, now having to listen to his boring yawn about himself.

The esquire continues, "Oh, yes; My Queen. I'd be delighted. Well, my family owns over half of New Brightwater. Papa is thinking of investing in that ghastly Devil's Belch area. Mama thinks that it's a horrific decision. Mainly because who would like to live in a volcano? Really? We're big players in the real estate game, you see. When I was small-" Ailish nods repeatedly, barely listening to his hum-drum story, trying her best not to fall asleep. "Yes, yes. You don't say?" She says tinged with sarcasm.

The big mouthed man continues to ramble on, obviously too slow witted to notice the mockery in her voice. Ailish continues to listen, now at the point of beating herself on the head with her scepter. "Oh, Tal.. how lucky you are to be able to do as you please..."

AN: Ok, I decided to stop with 3 chapters. I did them all in less than a day. However, hopefully they don't seem rushed. Please review. No flaming. Although, suggestive criticism is more than welcome.