King Friend|Aegestrom | Maelstrom

[Kender Bard]

"Maybe," Sunray sighed. "Every time I try to talk to her, I trip all over my tongue as it were. It's like I forget how to talk. It's very frustrating! And unfortunately, my lady love is a... practical woman. She doesn't think my sputtering is very endearing."

[Devon]

Eros tapped his chin and thought about Sunray's problem. "Your majesty, you read a lot, so you must be able to write a few things of your own as well. Why don't you put down everything you want to say to her on parchment. I'll read over it and you can either let her read that or I can use it to help you along while you talk to her."

[Kender Bard]

"That sounds good," Sunray agreed readily. "But, does that mean I can't see her now?" He looked a little crestfallen at the idea. So close, yet so far.

[Devon]

"We can go and stop by right now just to say hello and let her know you'll be here for a few days on a visit," Eros replied. It felt a little weird to be giving the King of his country what almost sounded like an order. "Let's see, when we get there keep your greeting short so you don't start stammering. Say hello, bow, even kiss her hand if you get a chance. Tell her it is good to see her and give her some sort of compliment, then excuse yourself and we'll leave. You can come back tomorrow after we've properly worked on what you're going to say."

[Kender Bard]

"That sounds easy," Sunray agreed, nodding a bit too quickly. He was repeating the list in his mind like a mantra as he walked into Angel's workroom. "Hello, Lady Angel."

Angel glanced up from where she was grinding herbs with a look of surprise. "King Sunray! I didn't expect to see you here."

Sunray strode over and bowed to her.

"Er..." she murmured as he tried to take her hand and kiss it. "I wouldn't-"

But it was too late and he laid a soft kiss on the back of her hand. She started giggling. He faltered and asked, "Wh-what is it?"

"Your lips," she snickered, pushing away the red powder she was making. Indeed, now Sunray's lips had a red coating of plant-dust on them.

"I.. I..." he stared at her. Then mumbled something that could have passed for an apology and an excuse as he hurried away in what was almost a run.

[Devon]

Eros stood away from the door and waited for Sunray. Seeing him dash out of the room, he followed the king. "So how did it go in there your majesty?"

[Kender Bard]

"Horrible," Sunray whimpered, fighting the urge to cry as he scrubbed his mouth of the plant powder. "Just... horrible. I must be cursed, Eros!"

[Devon]

Eros gave the king a friendly pat on the back. "You aren't cursed your majesty, if you consider Love a battle, then you are just unprepared. You have not lost the war, you just lost a small battle. Now cheer up, we'll get to work and tomorrow will be another chance for victory."