To court a prince (closed)

[The Floor Kippers]

"Well, Believe it or not" Carol said, feeling her Mind Clear "The Man I'm gunning for is Prince Pondera. So I really don't know his tastes as I only Met him Today."

[Warhaven]

"OH! My favorite royal to torment. You're really going to ruin him for me if you succeed, but ever since The Eighth Deadly Sin succeeded entirely too well at embodying Corruption, I've been despicably nice at times like this. If I didn't know any better, our youngest sibling was slowly turning us into Heavenly Virtues. BLECH!" Lust complained, growing visibly ill at the thought of being virtuous.

"Anyway, you've got the right figure, and he's never really cared about species, so your non-humanity won't matter. Just a little hint: He often fantasizes about playing the knight in shining armor, swooping in to save the damsel in distress at the last minute.

Anyways, he's abit old fashioned, and can't concieve of intimacy before he really gets to know someone. So you don't actually need to show off a whole lot, but it will add fuel to the fire. Actually, self-confidence is your biggest tool here. Also, he values women who have a mind and opinion of their own, not just simply giving in because of his status.

With that in mind, I suggust a corset. Support from below is actually better than a bra, support from above, as it's less tiresome on the shoulders. Wings are bad enough, that's why for winged gals like the two of us, a corset is just a damn good year round investment. Or so my sisters say. So does our mother, Pride. Backseam stockings will finish off the ensemble, and a pair of high heels will provide the finishing touch.

To help keep the air of self-confidence that it's you he's interested in, and not just what you look like, I'm going to pull out a range of undergarments to switch to full time.

Finally, the beach. All beaches are nude, so you can't go wrong regardless of what you choose, since the vast majority of women do go nude at the beach. Sooner or later he's going to invite you to the beach. That's normally a big test of self-confidence for anyone, to go completly unclothed in public. Not everyone can pull it off. But if you can, I can all but promise that he's yours.

I'm not good with personality, but that's just something you'll have to work out. However, if you can't lure him into bed within ten dates, you've failed, and will either have an unsatisfactory marital relationship, or remain friends. It might seem like a push, but Sex is the glue that holds the rest of the relationship together." Lust said, sizing Carol up at a glance and getting to work.

"That's just her set of opinions mind you, though we're very open and casual about sex around here, and will encourage you two to take up a sex life, no one's going to force you." Carol's guard said.

"You doubt my credintials? I've only been driving people to sin in my name for how long now? Acts commited under my influence have caused how many relationships? I've researched how many couples and discovered the general theory of Attraction when? I've been caught and subsequently fined for being in how many of the prince's dreams ever since he entered puberty at eleven years and six months having his first erotic dream about the daughter of a servant?" Lust said, sounding offended.

"Oh no, no, not about your credintials, only about your advice on how to get the prince. A relationship is more than just sex. Even though yes it's been proven a successful marriage requires sex, there's far more to it than that." the guard said.

"Listen Lara, I already admitted I'm not good with personality, I'm not good with honest relationships. I'm a whore for Hell's sake and I'm proud of that even though I shouldn't be. I screw anything with a heartbeat for it's immortal soul. I can't have an honest relationship it's against my nature. I'm just dishing out advice for one part. The important parts are up to her." Lust ranted.

Corruption's influence on her sister appeared to be deeply rooted and lasting, if Lust could be that honest and helpful.

[The Floor Kippers]

Carol Looked thoughtful
"Hmm, I never thought of Wearing a corset, If I'm going to have to Be Naked at the Beach Its a good thing I'm not a Shrinking Violet."
She Chuckled when Lust Mentioned "Immortal Souls" And Remembered the Aforementioned Sir Nigel warding off a few of the Sins with an Umbrella Before retreating to the safety of Spiridon's Back. She the Pondered over how strictly to follow Lust's Advice.
"Eh, On the Subject of Sex and Relationships, Whilst the Sin of Lust Knows a lot about Sex but I feel the Hitchhiker's Guide to The Multiverse may shine a more Balanced light on the matter, Not that I'm Totally disregarding your Advice, This knight in Shining Armour thing, Is It an Actual Thing he wants to do or just like a Role-playing thing?"

[Warhaven]

Lust looked thoughtful, tried her hardest to come up with a right answer, and finally gave up.

"I don't know. I just know it's something he dreams about at least once a week while he sleeps, when the deepest parts of his subconcious are free to express themselves. During the day when he is awake, he has been known to leap to the defense of those weaker than himself, or in need when the occasion arises. According to many of the Aquamarinians I have spoken to, it's an essential part of who he is.

As far as I'm concerned, it merely makes it easier to seduce him." Lust replied.

"Perhaps, but she is right, it is an essential part of his personality. A champion for the weak and the fallen. There are worse traits for a man to have." the guard Lust called Lara said.

"Have you ever had shoes custom made for your foot before? if not, then you don't know what your missing, and we should continue on, now that we have everything to be gained here. One last store to complete your wardrobe." Lara said a minute later.

[The Floor Kippers]

"I can't say that I have ever had custom Shoes Before" Carol Replied, She turned to face Lust "Thank you for the Advice, I can't say I'll follow it to the Letter though"

[Warhaven]

Lara led the way down a floor and over about a mile after having Lust's Assortment sent to the castle discretely. The shoemaker was a dwarf.

He raised a single eyebrow at Lara.

"I know them shoes haven't worn out that quickly, it's only been a month. You must be here for that woman beside you. Those look like they've seen a decade's worth of service. Come lass, take those blasted things off and throw them in the furnace. Better to go barefoot than to wear poor footware." the dwarf said.

"She's here at the prince's invitation." Lara said.

"I don't care if the heads of state for each member of the ROUS got together and issued a collective order forcing her here. She still needs better footware." The dwarf said with a grunt as he got out some tools to measure her foot.

[The Floor Kippers]

"Hey! I Like these Shoes" Carol said, her Wings ruffled in indignation. She Then took her shoes off "They've served me well"

[Warhaven]

The dwarf said nothing, but got to work, taking seperate measurements for each foot, measuring length, width, depth, the arch, length of the nails, everything.

"Heels, would you like a few high pairs, or keep them all flats?" the dwarf asked.

[The Floor Kippers]

"I'd Like a Mix of Flats and Heels" Carol Replied, Glaring Slightly at the Dwarf

[Warhaven]

"Very well then." the dwarf said, unapolegetic for his opinion.

"She's getting her clothes from Kreshenia, have you worked with her before? She's getting a new dress from her tonight that she'll need. The first pair of shoes should be availible to match." Lara said.

"Oh, I can knock out a pair in an hour. I'll get Kreshenia on The Network for details. The offical event I heard about? Aye, heels will be in order then." the dwarf said.

"Well then, come Carol, we must be rejoining The Empress." Lara said.

Once Carol was ready, Lara lead the way, freezing in place infront of a screen flashing a message.

"Offical warning from The Emperor to all citizens:

The Dark Moon Remora has been showing signs of Activity."

"Oh gods that's all we need now, for The Ministry to show up." Lara complained to herself.

[The Floor Kippers]

Carol Frowned
"Trouble I Assume?" She said "I'm only Guessing because nothing good usually comes from "Dark Moons""

[Warhaven]

"Their full name is The Ministry of Shadow. They are one of a handful of remaining immortals here in Warhaven. Their exact age is in the millions, if not the billions. They are naught but Shadows. They feed on your thoughts, emotions and desires, all of them. Even the Aquamarinians have difficulty countering them. We have never, NEVER found a defence against them, save for understanding well our own minds, but even that only goes so far when faced with unrelenting horror.

It is often said, they know your own mind better than you do, and won't hesitate to use it against you as a weapon. They are off the criminal classification scale because we can't capture them despite our best efforts. A standing reward of 500 billion goes to whomever does."

[The Floor Kippers]

"So these are WORSE than Shadowlings and The Vashta Nerada?" Carol asked slightly Apprehensively "Well I know of A couple of People who'd be willing to try and Help You, and these Guys have faced the Changlings from the twelfth Dimension and won, so you could say they've been around a fair amount"

[Warhaven]

"Interesting. Actually, the reward's been upped to one trillion. However, I'm not certain they would succeed. Yet, the ministry's time draws to a close, that much I'm certain of. Soon they'll join their brothers and sisters, the other Fiends. As will HE." Cara said.

Whomever HE was, he was someone frightening enough to fill Cara with such fear and tredeptation that Cara lost all of her light. A nearby petshop went berserk as the animals smelled the fear coming off of her. Lara and the other guard looked completly confused. Appearently Cara knew top secret information.

"Let's end this conversation by saying that every nation has its dark side." Cara said with such an official tone that it was clear she would brook no argument to the contrary.

Lara looked around.

"Well, unless you want something unneccessary, like purses or handbags, it's time we returned to the castle, there are five hours between now and when the reception begins. I say purses and handbags are unneccessary, because most of the time you'll be at the castle, except for the times your not, and when your not at the castle it's standard protocol for a guard to carry such things as would go in a handbag or a purse. Prevents them from getting stolen." Lara said.

Appearently the guards served a variety of functions.

[The Floor Kippers]

Carol Nodded
"Maybe, Maybe Not. These Guys are good, if a little odd." She said Ignoring the Reference to HE, Putting it down as something to search fruitlessly in the guide for at a later point in time "As to the Handbags I don't like them anyway, Never saw the point in them. So let us return to the glorious castle"

[Warhaven]

And so the quartet began to return.

Along the way, Carol would get to see a fleet of dragons winging their way overhead.

"Ahh, time for the biannual migration?" Cara asked.

"It would seem to be time, yes if their to keep in accordance with the Anti-Extinction laws." Lara replied.

"But there are so many of them. Are all the rooks moving together this year?" the still unnamed male guard asked.

"It would seem so Gerard." Cara replied.

Indeed, their numbers were so great that it was as if the sky had turned to scale and claw.

By the time they reached the castle, the fleet had passed on.

"See you in three hours." Cara said, and disappeared on the spot once she had parked. No sound effects, no visual effects, she simply disappeared. Gerard quickly followed.

"Well, your things should have arrived, the one dress for tonight, the assorted lingerie, and maybe even the shoes." Lara commented.

And if Carol returned to her room, she'd discover she was right.

[The Floor Kippers]

"I didn't Know Dragons Migrated" Carol said, Watching them Fly overhead "The ones back home Never have"

When Carol returned to her room she Put Her clothes somewhere were they Wouldn't get creased or become dirty and Pulled out her Copy of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Multiverse, an A5 sized Electrical Book made from a strange black material that somehow Closed like an ordinary book but contained a touch screen, and Searched for Relationships.
The Result said
"See Love."
She fastwinded to Love and the Guide Merely said
"Avoid, if at all possible."
Carol Sighed Irritably and cast the Guide onto her bed, , She Toyed with the Idea of Calling Her Dad, But He'd be at work at the Moment.
She Decided to explore some of the Castle.
She got up and Left her room Setting off in a random direction and seeing what came her way

[Warhaven]

The castle seemed orderly and organized. Lara followed along as per her duty, but largely said nothing.

Aquamarinians moved about on this duty or that task. Elves and Dwarves worked side by side without the archtypical bickering they were known for with each other. Everyone, everyone regardless of species, was working at something.

On the lower levels the imperial guard was practicing to keep their skills sharp.

Eventually, two more giant Aquamarinians like the big red one named Mark she was introduced to earlier crossed paths.

"Morning Carol. Don't touch me or others of my color I'm poisonus to the touch. You'll die within seconds if you don't heed my warning." the giant green one said before moving on.

"That's King John. I'm Howard, The Leader. Some nations have a parliament, or a congress. Think of me as being in charge of that. Three other Royal Aquamarinians are in the castle. You might find them if you continue your exploration. Also, don't worry about finding areas of restricted access, you can't find them due to the fact that you don't have the special powers and knowledge neccessary to get to them." the giant purple aquamarinian said.

As Howard moved off about his own affairs it seemed largely as if nothing of interest was going to happen to Carol. Then, without warning, an organ began playing in the distance.

Everywhere she looked, people had stopped what they were doing, froze in their tracks, for a few seconds to listen.

OOC: The song being played.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNAndOLKYA0

[The Floor Kippers]

Carol Jumped at the fact that these Aquamarinians Like the One she met earlier Knew Her name, Perhaps News Travelled Fast, Or Maybe Mark had told them
"Good Morning King John and To You Howard" She said Politely

Carol Wandered in a Quick sort of way towards the Source of the Music, As a Fan of Music in general, Particularly That from before the 21st Century, Her Home universe's Time zone, She was eager to Meet the Current Player of the Piece.

[Warhaven]

Carol would find The Red Death, lounging in a chair beside a closed door. The music was coming from a room on the top floor of the east wing.

"May she?" Lara asked.

The Red Death stood and opened the door, escorting Carol in.

The organ being played was well over fifty feet tall, and took up the entire forty foot section that was the east wall. The player had white hair, and wore black clothes. But that was all that could be seen. Flipping a switch, the music quieted in that room only, allowing for conversation.

"You've found me. In another time and place, that would be most impressive. Present circumstances however render that feat to mere commonality.

You don't believe I know you, but I do. You are Carol Miller. You are the daughter of The Minister of The Ministry of The Multiverse. You are also a Griffon. From what little I have seen of you, you are a lovely young lady, with a nice personality. Your presence is in direct response to a letter that was sent out, and despite your brief time here, you have already encountered a variety of new things.

I gather you must enjoy music that actually requires a degree of skill to play, and a measure of good taste to enjoy. Therefore I can surmise that you and I could share some things as a source of mutual enjoyment, but not everything.

Further, I can see you are at least comfortable enough to wander freely about the castle, or else you would not be here, and The Red Death must place a good deal of trust to allow you in here with only a single guard.

But still, there are things I wonder about. For example, I wonder why you arrived with only the clothes on your back, and did not bring some favorites out of your wardrobe, unless you normally do not wear anything at all. I doubt this, who would spend money on a new wardrobe, if they did not wear such things?

I wonder if you realize that I knew Cara would come to you first, before she actually did. Probably not, why would you know such a thing? But if you did, it would be a clear indication of some sort of power.

I wonder, are you strong? Do you posses courage? Broken hearts and vengeful spirits will test whether you do or not. Imagined love not returned can drive a person insane, and many believed the prince would choose them.

I believe I have you at a disadvantage, but surely you've already guessed who I am and therefore know plenty about me. I am Tajen, Son of The Darkness, Lord Emperor of Warhaven, and you Carol Miller, visitor to my domain, may choose what I play for your enjoyment next."

[The Floor Kippers]

"You are Remarkably.....Well I Don't Believe if 'Well informed' is the Word as I Highly Doubt if anyone Told you All that" Carol said, Not Looking at the Lord Emperor of Warhaven, Instead she was Examining the Organ he was Playing"As to My Lack of clothing that's what Happens when the Best Airline Available has the Worst Track record when it comes to Luggage Handeling, as a result All I have brought is the clothes I satnd in now, My Purse and the Copy of the HHGTTM I got for my 18th Birthday"
She Paused and streched her Wings, She then Nodded decisivly
"Yes, I Believe I Possess the Courage to suffer the Broken Hearted and Vengful Spirits, As to What you Play next I Have no Preference"

[Warhaven]

The Emperor ceased his playing, and pulled a paper out of the inside of his jacket, still not turning to face her thus his front side remained a mystery. He stood, and turned walking towards Carol.

What Carol would see there gave most people a fright the first time around. He was entirely black and white, but it felt unnatural, as though his very being was a crime against nature. It wasn't that he was monochromatic, rather he simply lacked color, and the two opposing colors were the best Creation could come up with to compensate.

His eyes were entirely black, save for thin white slits, like a predatory creature of the night. His skin was as white as the purest driven snow. His lips were as a black hole.

He held out the sheet. It was the official response from The Floor Kippers prior to her arrival.

"I have great power. I exert some of it to automatically know what goes on in my castle. I exert some of it to keep tabs on my family and their guests. What sort of a man does not know what happens in his own home after all?

It's similar, but different for the Aquamarinians. I felt you encounter three of the royal ones.

Their hyper-intelligent you see. Because their minds are so complex and well developed, a Hive-mind has naturally arisen over the course of time. The Royals are the pillars that support it. The commoners are the rest. Thus, what one knows, all know.

But don't misunderstand them, their still individuals, they just share minds." the emperor said, as he returned to his organ.

He began playing the famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor, by Johann Sebastian Bach.

[The Floor Kippers]

As part of a reaction that Her ancestors had used Carols Wings Suddenly Opened to their Full Size when she Laid Eyes on the The Emperor, She Quickly Folded Her wings and Shifted her weight uneasily
"So that's How those other Two Knew My Name" Carol said "I was Wondering How They Had done it"
When The Emperor Resumed Playing Toccata and Fugue in D minor She Nodded Aprovingly
"Another Classic"

[Warhaven]

"I noticed you react like most people. Only my wife has never shown me fear. Even my own son burst into tears when I held him the day he was born. Would you like to know why I look like this? It's closely related to why my wife naturally glows with a bright luminescence.

Our fathers are complete opposites, and in the previous eternity, were arch-enemies. One is known as The Omnisource, and the Omni is the one true source of all things. All gods, all universes, planes, dimensions, everything. It all sprang from Omnisource. He is known also as The Glorious Light, for that is how he manifests. He is Cara's father.

Mine is known as The Consuming Darkness, also known as The End of All Things, The Great Devourer, The Spirit of Nothingness. Yes, he has a great many names, more than those. He does not exist. Literally, and figurativly. Yet he can interact with the Multi-verse all the same. I look exactly like he does. Exactly, without any deviation at all what so ever. Hence why I feel like a crime against nature, and why most people are startled by my appearance.

Our son then, obviously favors his mother in appearance. Probably a good thing too."

[The Floor Kippers]

After the Emperor had Finished explaining the Reason for him and his wife's Appearances there was a Long Pause
Suddenly Carol Simply said in a Blank voice "Well....I Definitely wasn't Expecting that.... I'm Not really sure what else to say, I'm Not Terrified, Just extremely........surprised"