Pearl and Ruby

                Micah had been looking forward to this meeting, anxiously awaiting to receive his fiancee's father, the Emperor Drakonius Arrullium. The emperor had personally written to Micah, asking for a private audience within Unis Corvinus lands and Micah's kingdom of birth. He thought it was rather bold of the emperor to even deny Micah's parents from the meeting, wanting total solitude with just the prince and himself. He couldn't wait; he made sure everything was spotless in the castle and even hinted with streams of gold within fabric and hanging banners, perhaps to help the emperor feel more at home. The Unis palace tended to be more open and natural, using petrified trees to help coil and support the palace itself, the glass and furniture all hand-carved from talented artisans who left them as gifts in gratitude to Micah's parents.

Micah knew a little better, having discovered a hidden lagoon where his half-brother, Dyson, tended and lived in. He was never even supposed to know about Dyson's existence, but the merman/unicorn hybrid was more of a closeted advisor, lending advice and unbiased judgement on solutions if Micah asked. He hadn't seen him in a while, now that Micah recalled, passing the telltale banner he knew hid the cave entrance to Dyson's lagoon. Perhaps I'll take a look after this meeting, he mused, walking quickly towards the foyer. The sunlight streamed through the beautiful glass panels, illuminating the floor in pools of rose and violet, swirling slowly with the sun's movements. Micah tilted his head up, seeing a shape beginning to shift the light as he smiled brightly. Opening the double doors, the guards shifted to allow the creature more room as it swooped in gracefully, the sunlight causing the scales to resemble liquid gold from a Dwarven forge, blinding the hall with his golden light.

"Hello, Your Majesty!" Micah shouted, smiling as the dragon turned to look down at him, smiling softly before nuzzling Micah's chest.

(It's an honor, little prince, to finally meet my future son-in-law. You'll make Orion a fine mate.) The dragon shifted down into a tan figure wrapped in golden robes, black hair neatly pleated and pulled back with gray trimming along the roots and hairline. Twin eyes of bright azure watched Micah as the two headed towards the gardens, the perfect place for a secret meeting in Micah's mind. He led the way through the weaving maze of roses and peonies, stepping out into a small clearing with a gazebo set out with a tea set and some snacks on a cart all set. Micah took the emperor's hand, leading him inside the gazebo as the dragon king pulled out Micah's seat first.

"You make quite the entrance, Your Majesty. I've never seen a full golden dragon like that before, it was beautiful," Micah added, pouring out the tea carefully as the king chuckled, one of his hands skimming the neatly trimmed beard, all white with streaks of blue much easier to see in the pale hair than his darker hair.

"Please Micah, it's nothing. You might as well practice calling me Father, or perhaps..."

"Ah please, Your Majesty, I am only still a prince, and... I would hate to become so familiar if it shouldn't work out between Orion and myself. Please, ah... what was the purpose for your visit? An audience with only a prince and not the neighboring monarchs, I'm a little curious to know why," Micah added, sipping his tea cup as the emperor nodded.

"Very well, little prince. As to the reason why I'm here... I am in need of an ambassador for a very secret, and important, mission which may help turn this ugly war between the Metallics and the Chromatics. Hopefully, if all goes well, it'll end peacefully and we gain new allies, if at the very least, permission to enter and see new lands without the fear of causing strife or potential heavy war," he mentioned, sipping his tea casually as Micah gasped softly.

"An ambassador... to Chromatic lands? That's... honestly, a little scary, but thrilling! I would be delighted to be the ambassador! I can even look up reference materials for potential aid in rituals and courtesy practices over there!" Micah smiled brightly, tapping his hooves excitedly under his gown as the emperor laughed heartily.