Ash: Political Chapter!

Yumeì: Can I leave?

Ash: NO! You have to make sure Shun doesn't show up.

Yumeì: But I hate politics!

Ash: *sigh* It plays an important part of our life and-

Yumeì: Okay, spare me the explanation. I'm not reading it though. Ashflight1699 does not own anything but the plot and OC's!

Tabitha's View:

Tabitha sat bored upon her seat. She was about to do her least favorite job during the day. Councils. Terrible thing they were, councils. So darn dull. While the older people of the council drone on and on, she was expected to sit and listen quietly. She was generally good at both, compared to Yumeì or her other siblings, but even she had limits on how much boredom she can handle. But today's council was promising a bit more fun. These were foreigners. The first ones to boot. Verithigo had many immigrants from many countries across the seas but no actual government of those countries even knew that Verithigo existed. How that was possible, well, it was quite simple. All of her foreign immigrants ended up here by accident. Either way, she knew more about those other countries, than they knew about Verithigo. Only figured. She was still dragging her siblings to it though. She liked Yumeì's burst out the best.

"YOU HAVE GOT TO BE FREAKING JOKING ME!"

Yes, Tabitha did think it was something like that. Shin had groaned and put down the prototype he was working on,

(Tabitha thought she told him to put that away ages ago. There were people who didn't understand electricity in the vicinity!) and asked why. Tabitha felt a sullen drop of happiness in him. But she knew what would perk him up.

"Kel's coming. You know she is...very diplomatic."

She felt his shock at being attacked at such an angle.

"What? You didn't really think you could hide anything from me? Did you?"

His silence was answer enough.

"Okay let me put it this way. If you don't show up I'll tell Yumeì. And you know I will."

His face darkened.

"You wouldn't dare.",he snarled.

"You want to bet? If it makes you feel better, I'll tell Shun instead. Mind your tone."

Tabitha walked out feeling very satisfied, and she could feel Shin's momentary panic. Now that was a treat.

Tabitha's View:

She sat on the the council throne. It was hard and uncomfortable. She had to use all her willpower to keep herself from fidgeting. She was here thirty minutes early, as was expected of her, but sitting still on a hard, cold marble throne was always painful. She had kinda wished that the patralineal thing had remained in Verithigo. Then Shun would be sitting on the cold, hard throne instead of her. Thinking for a second she thought that maybe the throne was more fitting to his demeanor. The only other person more uncomfortable than her in the room, was Shin. So the poor boy had been scared of the threat. She probably should do that more often, but she was better than Yumeì. Not that she had much of a choice, did she? Shin kept throwing a few panicked glances her way. Looking around the large, grand room, she saw nobody.

"What's wrong with you? No, I didn't seat Kel next to you!"

He looked up at her.

"What are you? Psychic?"

Tabitha raised one perfectly arched eyebrow.

"Your question is rhetorical, right?",she asked

He glared at her then slumped back on the seat, annoyed. Tabitha felt her inner cat purr. Shin knew where he stood in the court. He was, however, the closest thing to her as a very good friend. That is, compared to all her other siblings. He had that frankness that matched hers. However he also shared Shun's cold demeanor. It was a miracle that they both fell in love. Problem was, they both fell in love with the same person.

Maybe, just maybe, they will not feud over Fabia, since Shin has found...someone new., Tabitha mused.

"What's running through that devilish mind of yours, your Highness?"

Tabitha stiffened at that voice.

"And I am presuming you are the...ambassadors from Carthak?" she said, without glancing at her audience. "Rindes? That is correct?"

The two shadows moved from their shelter at the edge of the hall. But she had not been expecting two ambassadors.

"And you've brought a friend. How...nice."

"And I see no one is here. Well except your friend here." This voice was younger, more teasing. Tabitha stiffened. That voice...was very familiar...annoying...but familiar.

Shin made an almost inaudible sound of indignance.

"He is my brother, unknown one." she said icily,"He does demand respect."

Rindes, the taller of the two said, "Forgive my young apprentice, Queen Thabathera, Prince Shinoru. He...is too familiar with this court. I can go into more formalities when...the Tortallans arrive." He spoke "Tortallans" like an insult. Tabitha stared coldly into his eyes.

"Is that so?" Tabitha growled threateningly, "Let it be known, ambassador, that you shall not insult my guests on neutral ground, nor me. I do not remember why I invited you for this council, but you are here none the less. Ah, here they come now."

Kel was the first to show up along with Shinoru tried not appear indifferent, but he failed miserably. He ought to be glad that Fabia Sheen, Queen of Neathia, wasn't here. She would be jealous down to the very last artery in her sweet heart. He would have invited death, in short. Tabitha could have guessed what Yumei would be singing right now.

"TWO TIMER!"

Yes he would die in misery. Tabitha flinched at her cold hearted thoughts. She was crossing the line there. The Council of Verithigo entered the Council room last. When all was settled she began.

"I have called you all (unwillingly) to witness two very important ambassadors from Carthak. They wish to...establish trade, and since the Tortallans are here with us, perhaps negotiate."

She stopped noticing the two men stand up.

" Thank you for that kind introduction, your Highness, but may we kindly continue from here?"

Tabitha stared stunned at them. She wanted to yell at them incredulously. What fool interrupts the Queen in her own country? But he didn't wait for her answer.

" We have come to find a better area to practice for wars without being called to war constantly. Verithigo, as I have seen, is very peaceful. It's crime rate is impossibly low. And, there have been no assassinations since-"

"The House of Argentum, we are well aware of that." growled Shinoru.

Rindes stared at him, miffed. Tabitha was so amused she could have given Shinoru a high-five, but she had reputation to maintain.

"Tongue-tied, Rindes?"

Shinoru grinned while Shun shot a warning look at her. She looked innocently at him while thinking, Well diplomacy be darned.

Rindes hastily changed the subject.

"This is my apprentice, Arentum. Perhaps you have heard of him?"

Tabitha paled, and for an inhabitant of Vistan & Istè, that was saying things.

Shun and Shinoru suddenly looked murderous, and Yumeì, though looking calm, was fingering a belt dagger.

Tabitha simply looked dazed, much to Shinoru's concern.

"Is there something wrong, Your Majesty? I see you remember me." Arentum whispered. Though his face was concealed by his hood, his calm, teasing smile was clearly seen.

"Four years. Four years, and you...you-" muttered Tabitha still dazed, but her blood boiled and froze at the same time.

"But how-"

Yumeì stood up abruptly, right hand firmly gripped on her dagger.

Arentum inclined his hooded face to inspect her.

"Despite your calm face, I feel anger. You don't like me. But then again, you never did."

"Don't you know flirting with the Sayali in public is an offense? Show your face you-"

Arentum held up a pale hand. Yumeì made an animalistic growl of rage.

" No need to curse me, My Lady. I was going to have to show my face anyways, isn't that right, love?" he said an unseen eye on Tabitha.

And that's when Yumeì's dagger went flying.

Yumeì: Hey! This is better than I thought it was!

Ash: *Comes in with steaming bowl* What happened to, "I'm not reading this"?

Yumeì: Well, somebody has to check your spelling...

Ash: I spell better than you Yumeì. Admit it, you're just curious.

Yumeì: -_- Just review people.